I posted on another thread, but have a question. Hubby and I are thinking about our third trip to Bonaire this November. Have flown, the previous two times, AA-Miami-ALM-Curaco-Bonaire. We had no real problems, but on a recent trip from Provo through Miami, I found Miami to be a chaotic nightmare. Barely made our flight with an hour and a half layover, due to the mayhem. I definitely did NOT feel more secure. Anyway, we're thinking about heading to Chicago and taking AJ instead. When AJ lands in Montego Bay, do you have to change planes/get your luggage, or is it simply a stopover?

Any opinions/experiences about AJ would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Haven't flown AJ since 9-11 but prior to that you only had to change planes. We never saw our check in luggage until Bonaire. I don't know if they are re-checking/screening hand carried items between plane changes at MB, tho. Can someone else comment on that? We do like Air Jamaica a lot and will continue to use them from Newark, NJ. Good luck! Carole

you just change planes in Montego Bay... Make sure they tag your checked luggage for Bonaire when checking in at Chicago. They did recheck some of the carry on's at random in Mobay.

This as of mar 4th.

Just some added info for AJ... they did NOT search our checked luggage when leaving Bonaire... like American has been (from what I've heard).

Only concern I have with air jamaica is the short layover on the way down... The potential is there that you could miss the connection if you are very late leaving Chicago (or any originating cities). They seem to hold it for short delays.

i think the plane that flies from chicago to jamaica is the plane that flies on to bonaire - at least that seems to be the case may4-11 (sat-sat) we are flying from miami but we are joining friends flying from chicago and the do not appear to have to change planes - it appears as though we join them
what is now the carryon bagage rule with airjamaica - do you have to count a small purse (say one big enough for a regulator ) as your carryon or are you allowed to have a carryon AND the "personal item" such as a purse of laptop case?
thanks

4/17: AJ flight leaving Atlanta ran late, and was very concerned about the short connection in MB, but not to worry it was also running behind. Ended up getting to BON two hours late. Even though we were late, Telerin (car rental agency) was there with our rental ready to go, which was a very welcome relief.

4/24: AJ leaving Bon ran 30+ mins. late causing us to miss the MB connection. AJ set us up at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort for the night and booked us on the 11:40 flight the next day. The 11:40 also ran late ensuring that we hit Atlanta just in time for the I85 rush hour traffic.