Does anyone have recent experience flying AJ out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport? We've booked seats on one of their Saturday morning flights that leaves at O'dark thirty in the morning. Any comments on their on-time percentage, screening, carry-on, etc would be greatly appreciated. My understanding is that the Chicago flight stops in MB to pick people up and then continues on the Bonaire...(we don't physically change planes). Is this true?

Thanks!

We took that AJ flight in November last year. It is suggested you arrive 3 hours early for check in. And we did, but the staff didn't arrive until 2 hours early. I was glad we did get there early, buecasue the line became really long. After check in, you and your carry on go through security.

Their security at the time was a bit lax, but I did feel comfortable with it.

In MB, we had get off the airplane, and go into the terminal. Upon re-boarding, our carry ons' were searched, they did a quick, yet complete search. I think we boarded the same plane we flew from Chicago.

We've flown AJ 3 time from Chicago to Bonaire. And we've never have left on time. I think one time, people were still boarding at take off time. The layover is short on the way down, but AJ is flexiable, they hold the plane for us.

As for coming home, same story as above. Seems to me we arrive in Chicago around 11:30 last time.

I think AJ is a great way to fly. We're going back to Bonaire in November. We live in Grand Rapids, and I haven't deceided to fly AJ from Chicago, or for about the same price, I can try American Airlines from here. With AJ, I know my luggage and I will arrive in time to dive that day.

My recent AJ experience:

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.

4/24: AJ leaving Bon ran 30+ mins. late causing us to miss the MB connection. They did not hold the plane, this time. AJ set us up at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort for the night and booked us on the 11:40 flight the next day.

Thanks for the info. That's good to know about getting back late. AJ is still the least expensive airfare we've found and even if the flight is 2 hours late getting there, that still beats our other options by several hours. The other flights we looked at left at the same time in the morning, but didn't get to the island until 8:00 at night. Leaving Bonaire on AJ gives us a half day on the island the day we fly out. Otherwise, we would have left on the first flights out at 6:00am.

Michael,
My husband and I just flew AJ out of Ohare the end of March. It was our second trip to Bonaire...and I wouldn't travel any other way. The flight did leave about 20min late, but no big deal. Plan on arriving early...we were told 3 hours by our travel agent. I was so glad we followed her advice...the flight was overbooked by 60+ people (they changed the plane size at the last minute)...so some people who got there 2 hours and 15min prior didn't get on the plane. Otherwise though a great trip, both times. Have fun.