We are planning to travel from Aruba to Bonaire for six days in February 2006. I have gone on Bonaire Express website where it reports that they fly between Bonaire and Aruba daily. However, when I try to book a flight I keep getting the reponse that no flights are available. It is especially agrivating because I can't locate a telephone number for BE. Can anyone offer a suggestion?

Jay, call Amy Garrow at Cardonna Caribbean Tours at 800-328-2288 or contact Larry Friedman at www.worlddive.com
Both of these people seem to have good luck getting flights scheduled and getting paper tickets. Paper tickets seem to make it much easier at the airport in Aruba.

We booked ours directly through Delta. They were very helpful and paper tickets are the key for using BE.

Pattie, When you say that you booked your thru Delta, do you mean from Aruba to Bonaire? Does Delta have flights or will they book you on B.E. Thanks. I wonder if they do air miles? Kent

Kent- The Delta agent booked our Aruba-Bonaire-Aruba tickets on BE. We already had booked our PHL-AUA-PHL on the website. I don't think the miles counted. Drat.

Through Travelocity same flights are showing as being flown by "Ecoair".

Patti- have you booked like that through Delta before? I just have a hard time trusting BE or DCA. Im booking through Delta from ATL-AUA-ATL.

Kevin- We usually book Delta flights on their website instead of talking to a human. This was our first time booking through Delta for another carrier. Our paper tix arrived within a week and worked great. I have to say, I was a little worried, esp about the return trip. I was totally prepared to have to stay an extra day on Bonaire. But alas, BE was dead on schedule that day. Maybe next time

Kevin, you need to call Bonaire Express (and ask for Irene) and give them your info to reserve the tickets, then fax them an authorization with your credit card info and signature to make the charge on your credit card.

phone is 011 + 599 + 717-0707
Fax is 011+599 + 717-0770

They will then FedEx you a hand-written ticket (like the old days, with the red ink carbons).

Jay,
If you want to have a paper ticket I can do that for you if you are in the US. The ticket prices are higher if purchased in the states but you will have a paper ticket. I have issued many of them. You can purchase them in the states with a Visa card and again a Mastercard is again accepted. My number at World Dive is 800-433-3483

Jake, I hope that you do not mind this. I am only trying to facilitate peoples questions, and would be happy to explain exactly how tickets can be run by ANY TRAVEL AGENT in the states if you want me to do so. I helped Bonaire Express do this and have the emails from them appreciating my assistance in doing so. This was not only for my benefit but for all that are interested in getting to Bonaire. The airline and the TCB put out the press release many months ago that this can now be done. Unfortunately travel agents in general did not receive this information. I believe only the Bonaire wholesalers received this. Let me know....
Larry

I have just visited the Bonaire Express ticket window at Flamingo airport.
The woman I spoke to told me that the company has just started issuing etickets, and they now prefer to do this instead of issuing paper tickets. I watched them issuing etickets to people walking up to the window to buy tickets.
Therefore, those of you trying to obtain Bonaire Express tickets might see if you can obtain etickets by buying your tickets through the airline's web site. Bonaire Express should now be able to e-mail you your tickets.
Tish

I'm going to see if I can change my paper ticket to an E-Ticket. I'm nervous carrying around a little piece of red carbon paper.

See you in Bonaire tomorrow night, whoever is there!

I booked a flight with USAir to Aruba from Charlotte about ten days ago. The ticket agent worked feverishly, and managed to get tickets on BE for the same day. Unfortunately, the early evening flight is supposedly full, so we are booked on the 10pm flight to Bonaire. I'm still waiting for the paper ticket to be delivered. Have any of you waited what seems like an excessive length of time for the paper tickets to arrive?

I would give them a call. I waited a long time and then finally called--- only to find out that the charge never went through (there was a credit card problem) and they never called or emailed to tell me! Once the problem was rectified, the FedEx'd me the tickets in two days. First check with your credit card to make sure the charge went through.

Thanx, Bonnie. The charge went through. USAir charged for both their tickets and Dutch Eagle, aka Bonaire Express. USAir has just confirmed my reservations, and they can't understand why I haven't received the paper tickets in the mail, as yet. I'm on permanent "hold" on the phone. Amazing that USAir calls are now answered by someone in Central America. Jeez!

Yea! USAirways just confirmed that I am on the late flight from Aruba. Still no available seats at 6 pm. USAir guy was really helpful. All I get when I called Dutch Airlines direct was a machine that kept me on hold for 20 minutes, then disconnected. Should be an exciting trip!

I was trying to book Bonaire Express from Aruba to Bonaire for October. I learned the following: The website is under construction until September. You can look at it, but not book online until then. Second, you can book by calling them direct at 011-599-717-0707. They give you a confirmation number. You can bring that to Aruba and then pay CASH only. Other option is to fax them your credit card info and they will book it for you and mail your tickets to Aruba. She said this is riskier, as things often get lost in Curacao.....we know this...I once lost a scooter en route there. Lastly, I tried calling Delta. She said they could only book if my BE was in conjunction with a Delta flight. Good luck!!! Ann

We just got back from Bonaire this Sat (boo hooo). Warning! Bonaire Excel changed our flight out of Bonaire and did not notify us!!! Luckily my husband was talking to someone the day before and found out that the flight was changed and now going to leave Bonaire an hour earlier and add a stop in Curacao! Also, the plane is hotter than hell when it's boarding. Bring a paper fan! They don't turn on the a/c until it's time to roll.

BE is issuing e-tickets now, so once the new web site is running, booking and having a ticket should get much easier.

Thank goodness.
My paper tickets arrived in the mail. Made all arrangements through USAirways. I'm flying with them to Aruba, then BE to Bonaire.

I just got off the phone and reconfirmed my tickets for Wednesday evening's flight from AUA to BON with BE. Now I'm psyched!

Robert- If you're hungry, there are really very few options BUT there is a little outdoor place/stand right between the terminals that make really delicious grilled chicken sandwiches with good lettuce and tomatoes and some tropical sauce on pita bread. YUM! Plus they have cold beer in little cans. It's worth the stop. Park your luggage close by and sit down, put your feet up and have dinner!

Enjoy and have a great time!!!