Hello all. I've been reading all your helpful tips for the past couple of years now and thought I'd finally join the conversation. I'm planning my third trip to Bonaire. The first 2 times we used AJ, this time we're looking at flying AA. I've been doing my homework on this site, but I'd like to confirm some things with you more experienced travelers.

Mostly I'm concerned about the San Juan connection. While problems might not be exactly common, It does sound like they happen. To try to minimize potential problems, we are looking at weekday flights, traveling to Bonaire on a Tuesday and returning on a Friday. One tip that seems clear is to try to get our boarding pass for the last leg to Bonaire when we begin our trip in Minneapolis. The flights we are looking at would have 2 hr 40 min between flights in San Juan on the way to Bonaire and 2 hr 35 min on the way back. Is this enough time? These flights seem to be the best option for the trip down. There would be other options for the way back, but they involve a 6 or 7 hr layover in San Juan. Thanks in advance for your comments.

It sure is nice to be thinking of Bonaire. Back here we are looking at single digit high temps for the weekend. Go Pack!

hi kevin, welcome to BT. you should be able to get all your boarding passes at your first airport. those layover times are reasonable. a few years ago we flew through chicago going to bonaire. our flight was delayed at least an hour leaving chicago and when we landed in san juan we had about 25 minutes to get from our plane to the AE flight to bonaire. we made it and all our luggage made it. it kept me from hitting the duty free store but we survived.

Kevin,

I have flown AA once and AJ 4 times. If I can, I will avoid AA in the future, even though they have some of the best fares. Not because of connection or luggage fears, but because of arrival or departure times. I like getting on a plane in the morning, and getting off in the early afternoon.

AA gets in around 8:30 at night, and leaves around 7 or so in the morning. Call me an old fart, but I HATE spending 12-15 hours getting to and from Bonaire. Now that AJ is history, I am looking at Delta, or possibly flying to Aruba or Curacao, and then taking a puddle jumper.

Delta gets in at 2, and leaves at 3. If you do the math, that gives you another 12 to 15 hours on island for your trip. Plus, your last night is not spent packing, to be at the airport at O dark thirty. Finally, at least for me, it gives me a chance to dive the day before I leave. I usually get in 3 to 4 dives a day, including night dives, party a little more than normal, and get less sleep than I do back home. I don't push the 24 hour to fly limit. DCS is the last thing I want.

Our last trip (last October) had a scheduled 50 min layover in SJU, and much to my amazement - all went well. And, we had luggage in Bonaire!!

We'll try it again in April (55 min. this time) and see if it works again.

HTH - Bea

Tad,

I agree about the favorable time-line for the AJ flight (and the future Delta flight). However, the price-tag on the Delta flight has been holding at about $1300 (from Chicago or Minneapolis) for three months now. My plan is to stretch the trip to 10 nights instead on the 7 of my past 2 trips. If I'm doing the math right, the 3 extra days still cost less than the difference in price between Delta and AA. Even with not diving on the last day on island, we'll have 8 days of diving instead of the 5 1/2 we'd get using the Delta flights. Actually, the last day seems like it might be a nice chance to do a little souvenir shopping--we've always been trying to squeeze in as many dives as possible and didn't have much time to look at anything else. If I were limited to one week, the AA plan would be a bummer. Thankfully we were able to stretch it a little.

Kevin,

You're doing your math!! Excellent! Whatever works financially...go for it! That's what I do!!

My next trip to Bonaire is in late Oct 2008. The tickets are $656 RT from DCA, on Delta. It really helps to plan several months, and not just a few months, in advance, at least for the air.

I'm jealous, and hope you can get a good pic or two to post. Have a great trip!!

Wonder what will happen if Delta is bought up by another airline. Bonaire might be out in the cold.

Joyce