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Getting to Bonaire: Connection times
Bonaire Talk: Getting to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2005-12-13 to 2006-04-01: Connection times
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By stephen monn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 1:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

we have finally gotten our tickets for a Feb. 2006 trip. Outrageously more expensive than our last 5 trips there, but that is the cost of not planning earlier. What I do not know is this: How close can we cut our connections into Curacao at the trip's beginning and end? On Dutch Eagle Express we could try to book either a 10P or 11P departure from CUR after our 9:25P AA arrival, and on return, will a 8A departure from Flamingo get us to our 9:25A depature out of CUR or do we need to get up at the ungodly hour needed to get the 0600 departure from Bonaire? Tish's 'resident on Bonaire' posts are looking sooooo attractive.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #585) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 2:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Stephen! Welcome to BT!
So you've been lurking and reading for a while I gather. :-)
There's another thread that deals with connection times, but the short answer is that you need to allow more time because you will need to claim your luggage between flights. And because you will need to do that, you will be forced to go through Curacao immigration and customs.
You might also need to stop and pick up your tickets for Dutch Antilles Express (DEA). Note the airline's current name.
Your flight also might arrive late.
So allow more time for the connection than you think you need.
Ditto for your return flight. You will be expected to check in for your departure from Curacao too early for the 8 a.m. out of Bonaire to work.
It's also wise not to risk missing your flights and having to buy more tickets.
Have you been here before? If not, you're in for a treat!
Or even if you have!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By stephen monn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 3:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Tish. Yes we have been to Bonaire about 5 prior times, but not for about 2 years. We actually have seriously discussed purchasing there as we both love the place, people and pace. Will have to look into the options more on this trip. Need any doctors down there? As to DEA, I just got off the phone with Maureen @ Belmar yesterday and she 'named' it Dutch Eagle Express. I know this particular puddle jumper reincarnates frequently, but A name change overnight is more than I expected.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #587) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 3:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You might want to check out the "Moving to Bonaire" threads. Some concern the medical professions.
The name changed to DAE roughly three weeks ago, and this change is likely to stick, at least for a while.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #244) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stephen,
Tish nailed this one, you will be standing in line as your flight takes off. 2-3 Hrs min. DAE does not wait. Good luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #247) on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

RUN FORREST RUN!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can someone tell me the names of the island hoppers that fly into Bonaire from Aruba / Curacao? My travel agent (from Ontario, Canada) is having a difficult time trying to find this out and book our flights. Thanks, Cheryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #349) on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cheryl try http://www.baibini.com/ for Divi Divi Air

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #605) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 6:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Divi Divi flies only the Curacao/Bonaire route.
Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) flies both Aruba/Bonaire and Curacao/Bonaire.
Divi Divi flies only during daylight hours.
You will find various means of contacting these two airlines on other threads. The web site listed above is one of the ways to find Divi Divi.
Are you flying on the charter from Toronto to Curacao? If so, you should land in plenty of time to use Divi Divi, which is a nice little family-owned and run company which is very reliable. They fly 7 and 9 seater planes.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #59) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 9:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you Tish and Fiona!! Great info!! The DAE was confusing me, but I've straightened that out. My agent had some ??outdated info .... "Royal Arubian & DCA??
We are hoping to fly To-Cur-Bon and I've read other reports that support Divi Divi. Does Divi Divi issue electronic tickets? Do they book flights with Travel agents or just through 'internet' passengers? Reason for question is that T. agent does not have Divi Divi or DAE coming up on her screen and she's leary about sending us that distance without confirmation that we'll be able to 'hop over' to Bonaire ;o))))

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bev Delarue (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 12:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Cheryl

You can call Squba Holidays and they will book you on the Divi Divi. You do have to pay there but you will get a confirmation number.
Hope this helps 1-800-265-3447 ask for Luke he is very helpful

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2269) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 1:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

DCA (as such) has been out of business for some time and I believe Royal Aruban just declared bankruptcy and stopped operation. No joy there!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #61) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 2:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you Bev & Glen. As luck would have it, charters out of Toronto are sold out for the time period that we can travel. So we are now looking at going to Bonaire via Philadelphia & San Juan. It will be an all day flight but the 'up' side of all of this is that we have 2 weeks this year ..so you'll hear no complaining from moi :D. Keep your toes crossed that this all works out ... our agent is phoning me back asap with confirmation numbers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ravic Richie (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 2:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Best is to call DiviDivi direct (+5999) 8881050.
Phoneservice 24hours is available (reservation and booking) Tickets you pay upon check-in. Low prices (check website for current: www.baibini.com) which include all taxes. Compare to other airlines, DiviDivi will be the lowest. Ticket will be issued when you check in.

Hope this info sets you in the right direction.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ryan Canon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 6:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does anyone know what the checked baggage piece and weight restrictions are on DiviDivi?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #671) on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 6:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to BT, Ryan!!
Seem to be the same as other airlines.
Because the planes are small, you might get your baggage on the next flight instead of the one you are on, but if you are making a connection on Curacao, tell them, and they will strive to deliver all your bags with you.
They are very customer service oriented. They aim to please!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ravic Richie (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 8:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Ryan, Tish is right. DiviDivi might bring your baggage on a next flight, but they don't have strict weight limits. If the "weight and balance" is within legal limits they bring it along. If not....... indeed: the next flight.

 


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