As many have said previously on Bonaire Talk, Air Jamaica is THE way to go to get to Bonaire.

I am glad I flew Air Jamaica for my first trip to Bonaire. The pleasant, friendly and smooth flights from Miami via Montego Bay and return certainly contributed greatly to the total enjoyment of my first visit to Bonaire.

There was an interesting security incident on the flight back at MBJ: I, together with two other passengers, were asked to deplane and identify our checked luggage, which was thoroughly searched. The "profiling" of the day seemed to be: single males, travelling from Bonaire to Miami because we were all three males and connecting off the flight from Bonaire.

But even at that, the security personnel was quite solicitous and apologetic for having to do this to us. I am sure the whole incident had nothing to do with Air Jamaica, but rather with the fact that security in Bonaire, like everything else, is rather laid back and that we were flying to Miami just before Thanksgiving.

In any case, there are advantages: at least, one knows that one's luggage is on the flight and since it is being loaded last, it is the first off at the other end.

What makes Air Jamaica to Bonaire even more attractive for me in the future is that Air Canada flies from Toronto to Montego Bay three or four times a week. This way I can avoid the increasingly unpleasant security checks in US airports, and overnighting in beautiful Montego Bay will be a great deal more pleasant than in one of the cookie-cutter airport hotels at MIA.

Karl

Agreed Karl, one of my best flying experiences ever was this past week on AJ. Emi and I will certainly fly them again whenever practical. The food wasn’t bad, free drinks, free movie, and courteous, respectful service. I don’t think you can do better. Certainly with all air carriers there’s going to be inconvenience, lost bags, late arrivals and canceled flights, but that’s part of flying.

Don’t feel bad my wife and I and several other couples on our plane had our luggage checked too. But I’m glad they did, it make me feel a little safer.

We did have problems in Bonaire going back. The most annoying part was the very surly attitude of the customer service reps at the counter.

I cast my vote for Air Jamaica all the way!!!

It is especially nice to arrive on Bonaire at the civilized time of 3:30pm rather than some of the night owl arrivals of other carriers. And for me the BIGGEST bonus with AJ is the departure at 4:00pm. This let me dive all morning the day before, let me sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast, drop by the airport at 11:00am and check in my luggage and get my seat assiggnment, and then spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon sightseeing, having a nice lunch with a newfound friend from Germany/Dominican Republic, and then ambling back to the airport after 3:00 to check in my Netty's Daewoo and board the bird.

There was a delay in departure from Bonaire but other than a small wait in Montego Bay to get a seat assignment I still had time for a cool Red Stripe and some tasty coconut shrimp, and some shopping at the duty-free downstairs. Some passengers DID miss their connecting flights due to the late departure and were treated to a free overnight stay in Montego Bay, which frankly didn't sound all that bad either from my perspective. While it was nice to get home (arrived in Chicago 1/2 hour early), 30F and snow was a "greeting" I would have gladly postponed for day without complaint. lol

As I am wont to say, everyday above ground is a good one, and if you travel with a sense of humor and adventure, most things are "small stuff". Or as my OW instructor taught me, "As long as you are breathing, everything else can be corrected."

Wish I was still there.

We had trouble there and back. Arrived 3 hours late, had to do a emergency landing into Kingston. Trip home,we sat on the runway for hours with out air conditioner, they had to put us up for the night (1:30 am)in Atlanta just to get up at 5:30am.

But what can you say? Sometimes ____ happens.

Karl, do you know when air canada will begin flying to/from MB?
See also bonairetalk:getting from bonaire to toronto. Thanx.