Ok, I (foolishly) booked my flights from CLE to AUA without realizing that DAE's timetable page - http://www.flydae.com/timetable.htm - doesn't include a schedule for flights to Bonaire.

The reason I chose Aruba vs. Curacao, despite all the recommendations on this board, was that getting into Curacao at an early enough time to make the connection to Bonaire with Divi Divi was looking very difficult, if not just prohibitively expensive. Aruba has the benefit of having lots of connecting flights from the states, although the idea of going through that airport again, even during the week, makes me queasy.

Our tickets right now look like this:
Arrive AUA
2007-04-17 13:52 (Tuesday April 17, 2007 1:52 PM)

Depart Aruba:
2007-04-30 15:12 (Monday, April 30, 2007 3:12 PM)

I simply assumed that getting in to Aruba that early, and leaving that late, would give us enough flexibility to book a connecting flight. Then, of course, I realized that DAE doesn't list flight times from AUA - BON. Do I simply assume that I have to connect through Curacao? Or, they just don't have the flight schedule listed.

I've spent my last two vacations in Aruba, and as a windsurfer was ready to try something different.

Welcome to BT.

Yes, you will have to go through Curacao to get to Bonaire from Aruba. Just (for God's sake) make sure you book only a stop in Curacao. For getting there my bet is you will catch the 5:30PM flight from Aruba to Curacao which then continues on to Bonaire about 7:00PM

Wish someone on these forums would have mentioned this, as it complicates matters immensely. Also that it's possible to book flights directly through to Bonaire with Orbitz or Expedia, at little extra cost.

I'm going to go ahead and cancel those tickets and book through San Juan, unless I can be convinced otherwise within the next few hours. This will look like: Cleveland -> Charlotte -> San Juan -> Bonaire. Leaves about the same time, gets there about the same time, and I don't have to deal with DAE.

So far they've completely ignored my emails.

Probably not a bad idea to switch. We have been using the Curacaco route (fly to Miami, then to Curacao, then to Bonaire) the last time and it works the best. We did the the San Juan route once and did not like the arrive or depart times, but it is the easiest.

Just so people know: American Airlines apparently operates daily flights from San Juan to Bonaire that you can use to connect with your major carriers from stateside. Use your favorite ticket vendor (I like Orbitz, but Expedia, whatever) and just search for tickets from your local airport to Bonaire.

See what you get.

Now I have another question: If I'm flying through San Juan, would we go through customs in Bonaire, or in San Juan? I have ugly memories of going through customs in San Juan many years ago, remember it being a crowded, unfriendly nightmare. Not that Aruba is any better, but it'd be nice to know in advance.

Why not take a look at CLE-EWR-BON on Continental. About a 2 hour layover in EWR. Sounds great to me.
MIck

Mick;

That's what my friends are doing. They have the luxury of planning their trip around the flight availability.

I have already booked accommodations in Bonaire for my expected dates of arrival/departure. I'm flying during the week for several reasons - it's cheaper, and terminals are far less crowded. If I never have to fly on a weekend again it will be too soon. Of course, that limits my options as far as flight scheduling goes!

going to Bonaire you will not go thru any customs, sometimes in Bonaire some people have had to run bags thru x-ray, we haven't had to do that, we just grab em and go.
LEAVING is another story... get to airport at least 2 hours early(pay your departure tax BEFORE this day at airport-saves hassle) They will search everything, I mean everything! THEN when you reach San Juan US customs has to be gone thru, but we have never had any delays or problems.

On your way to Bonaire you will not have to clear Customs in San Juan. If you are changing airlines (as it sounds like you might be) you may have to pass security again if you are not in one of the connecting terminals. For many years if you were leaving Bonaire on American they went through all of your bags by hand with you present but this is no longer the case. Once back in San Juan you will clear Immigration, then collect your bags and clear Customs after which you will deliver your bags as directed by the agents, depending on your next flight. You will then have to go through security even if you are not planning on leaving the gate area. I remember the San Juan airport years ago and even though the American gates are in not better shape, the Customs and Immigration area is much improved.

AUA-CUR-BON can be a disaster.

Sorry.

DAE cancels flights at random with little or no notice.

If you are going through AUA, you must fly through Cur to get to Bonaire. No flights AUA to BON nonstop.

The MIA-CUR (AA) hop then Divi CUR-BON is your most reliable link, but that 11:05 AM flight out of MIA can be a tough one to connect with from most parts of the country, due to the timezone issue going west to east.

Just FYI, I did the AUA-CUR-BON DAE flight (12 noon departure) on Sunday. All went smoothly, no delays, baggage came with me.
Josie

Thanks for all the input people, I really appreciate it. The cancellation for AUA finally came through, and I rebooked (again through Orbitz).

Itinerary looks like:

Flight reservation
Tue, Apr 17, 2007
Departs 7:00am, Arrives 8:55pm
US Airways 2289 / 1568
American Airlines 5054
Cleveland, OH to Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Mon, Apr 30, 2007
Departs 7:10am, Arrives 8:57pm
American Airlines 5055
US Airways 968 / 2296
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles to Cleveland, OH

Yes, I wish we were getting to Bonaire faster, but at this point I'm just going to heave a sigh of relief. I like the fact that we're using major carriers all the way - I do have a sense of adventure, but not unlimited time or funds.

For reference purposes, this flight ran exactly 629.19 per person, for two people, all taxes and fees included.

When all is said and done, I'll be reporting back with my experiences on this route.