I am preparing to book my 3rd trip to Bonaire and best deal I have found from ATL is via Delta to CUR and CUR to BON via Divi Divi. I plan to travel during March and was curious as to the experience of others using Divi Divi. Are they reliable? Safe? Any suggestions for making the transfer from Delta to DD hassle free?

Suggestions much appreciated!

hi Ben - do a key word search on them and I think you'll find GLOWING reviews for them

Divi Divi is a "FIRST CLASS ACT"! The way an airline is meant to be operated.

After being stranded in Curacao by DAE they flew 9 of us to Bonaire by finding a pilot and plane then came and picked us up on our departure day.

My plan is to fly AA from IAD to MIA to HATO and then Divi Divi each and everytime I travel to Bonaire. There need to be more airlines like them!

Didn't I see that Delta was starting non-stop service from Atlanta in Feb. '08?

Yes Nick you did. There is a period when they are not selling tickets which I believe is discussed in another thread but we are flying non-stop with them in March. HURRAY!!! Now if our local "Delta service" gets us to Atlanta on time it will all be good!

Does Divi fly Aruba to Bonaire?

I don't know DJ but in the past I have used EZAIR based in Bonaire to fly 9 of us to Aruba harbor village arranged this after our boat trip.
they are adding a second aircraft to Curacao this on a regular basis try contacting them their side www.fly-ezair.com

DJ, last I checked DiviDivi only flys Bon-Cur or Cur-Bon, and only in daylight hours. They're well worth it though!!

Tiara Air has two non-stop BON-AUA flights most days. We booked with them and they seem professional, plus they don't make you stop in CUR as DAE does. I'm looking forward to flying with them. Oh, and it might have been cheaper, too!

Thanks for all of the info! I have reserved my flights on Divi Divi from CUR to BON. Very easy! Also, saved a lot of $ vs flying direct on Delta ATL to BON. Can't wait until March!

Ben

I have no choice but to fly DEA. Flying back from Bon to Cur would only leave me 1 hr between flights and that isn't enough. You guys have me very nervous about DEA !

Thanks to all, looked at Tiara web site today, if it is accurate they don't fly on Tues. Thur. and only have one flight Bon. to Aruba on Sat. morning. Looking out to June/July -08.

There appears to be plenty going on with DAE, and none of it is good.

So if you really need to travel on certain days, you might be able to fly Tiara from AUA to CUR, then take Divi-Divi from CUR to BON. It's more hassle than the non-stop flight, but it would get you there ...

Does anyone know the lugage limits on Divi? How much of a carry-on are you allowed?
Thanks

Still trying to figure this schedule out. I'm stuck with going through Aruba and really want to use Tiara and avoid DAE. However they are limited on flights that match my connections. What about Insel Air? I went into their website (what a mess)and could not find any schedules. Has anyone flown them between Aruba and Bonaire and how do you find the schedules?
Thanks

Ron, I have travelled Divi with two suitcases (under 50 lbs each) and a rolling carry on. ALL luggage, carryon included, goes into the back of the plane.

Don't know what website you were looking at for Insel Air, DJ, but I found schedules to be pretty clear. Looks like they fly both ways most days, with fewer flights on Sundays. Here's the web address: www.fly-inselair.com.

Check it again and maybe you'll find what you're looking for.

If you're really perplexed, you could also contact Ann Phelan or Caradonna Travel - both experts in Bonaire travel.


(Message edited by mooth on November 4, 2007)

Ben
Just flew Divi Divi last week,and it was WONDERFUL--LOL---IMO do not use D A E as they are having aircraft problems.

Just returned from my second trip to Bonaire, used Divi Divi again for painless CUR->BON travel.

Regarding luggage limits, my wife and I checked three suitcases each around 40-45 lbs. I think they weighed all three together and said we were over by about 10 lbs (or 10 kilos, I forget). But in any case they only charged us an extra $10.

They didn't weigh our carry-ons, which were only small backpacks. There's no room for anything larger in the cabin, so as Susan said anything else just goes in the back with the checked luggage. You pick up both your carry-on and checked luggage off the tarmac as you walk off the plane.

We've been using DAE from CUR to BON for the last few years (last time, 6/2007) with no problem. But the recent postings paint a bleak picture. We need to get tickets for our next trip soon .. are they still in trouble? Is Divi a better choice now?
John

John
When I was there is late Oct, all but one plane was down for repair, and I sat in the airport from noon til 4:30. The other aggravating point is there payment process is at best poor!

I'd just rather use Divi and know I'll get there on time, 9 out of 10 times.

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Divi Divi? Sent several emails, but no response. Can't make international calls from my phone, so I guess I'm stuck waiting. Can anyone tell me if they will fly between Aruba and Bonaire? and roughly how much it costs?

THanks,
Kim.

Hi Kim

USUALLY Divi Divi gets right back, be patience I'm sure they'll be back to you--hope your not pressed for time, also it's my understanding that Divi only goes between Curacao and Bonaire--Have fun on Bonaire and welcome to Bonaire Talk!

Thanks Bill. You were right. THey did get back to me and said "only on a charter basis." Sorry to sound so naive, but does that mean yes? Has anyone out there ever used the "charter" service? It sounds expensive. Hopefully, Divi will reply to my silly questions too.

It's my understanding that for CHARTERS that to make it financially do-able you'll need a plane-full--but let us know what you find out---have fun diving!

Kim - Charter means you'd be chartering the whole plane by yourself. VERY expensive.

I just flew from Aruba to Bonaire in November. We took a non-stop flight on Tiara Air. They were pretty good, as far as island airlines go. Compared to everything I've been hearing about DAE, they're your best choice. Fare's decent, too.

You could also take Tiara or Insel Air from AUA-CUR, then take Divi from CUR-BON, but it would be more hassle, probably more $$ and almost certainly not worth it.

Thanks so much for the advice. I don't think I'm ready to charter a whole plane. I switched my flights to a Wed., which means I can take a Tiara flight from Bonaire to ARuba. This is a really great place to get help with planning. Big thank you!!

RE weight limits for Divi Divi, officially 20 kg/44 lbs. They have always accommodated our almost 5o lb bag plus roll-on (which counts toward the weight limit) plus "small hand luggage" which for us is a stuffed backpack each, but usually something has to come on the next plane.

Forgot to say one of the best run businesses I have ever dealt with!

one of the most customer friendly businesses that I have ever dealt with. They treat you like royalty! If you have a group of 4+, this is as close to flying on a private plane that you will ever get to.

Does any one have the email address for Divi Divi? They are usually very prompt in answering emails. I have the following email address:
flydivi@interneeds.net

You can check out the website and send e-mail request for reservation.
See www.flydivi.com

Best rgds, RRR