We are arriving on Bonaire via Air Jamaica Aug 4. I'm wondering if anyone can post comments, good or bad, about how they are doing lately. In the past couple months, I've read the HORROR stories and now I'm getting worried that I may be the next victim.

John, we are flying Air Jamaica from LA in a couple of weeks. I'll post a trip report and let you know how things go. I am keeping the faith and stocking our carryons with entertainment and snacks and working on our "keep everybody loose" routines.

Not that things don't happen, John. But my advice is to remember that,as I've said in the past, these get to be like 'fish stories'...kinda the worser it gets,the better it gets...not that folks here exaggerate....noooooo......just keep your temper, your perspective, and your sense of humour...and we'll sacrifice a chicken on your behalf.......could be it might work! OR.... you'll have a heckuva audience.

We were just there in May, and not any real problems LAX to Bonaire on Air Jamaica. (trip report May 11 -19 for details on flight and etc)
~ Sandra

We flew them from Newark to Bonaire (via MB) on our recent trip...had a delay waiting for the connecting flight in MB but other than that I think they are just fine. We have used them two years in a row and will continue to use them in the future....until we move there permanently....someday.....gotta dream, right?! Carole

Friends used Air Jamaica from Bonaire to BOS with a stop in Montego Bay. They were delayed 4 hours but otherwise enjoyed the trip. Annie

Warning!! Don't fly ALM. This has got to be the worst airline in the world. I use the term Airline loosely. It took a group of 18 of us 24 long hard hours to get back from Bonaire to Wichita Kansas June 17 2001. The flight was canceled and pushed back many times. Even after getting on a plane in Bonaire we sat in the airplane packed with people for over 45 minutes with NO air-conditioning. It was over 100 degrees in the airplane. They were seating passengers in the jump seat in the cockpit and rear of the airplane. I will never consider going to Bonaire again via ALM. Don't even think about flying ALM. Kenny Houk

Kenneth, sorry to hear of your "horror" trip. Have you ever considered Northwest Air from Wichita to San Juan (via Memphis)? I have no affiliation with NWA(or any part of the travel industry), but have had good luck on all my flights with them. It looks as if you could arrive in SJU from ICT on Saturdays, in plenty of time to catch American Eagle's nonstop from SJU to BON. The layover at SJU is currently about 4+ hours on the trip down and a whopping 8-9 hours on return, but you will avoid ALM altogether. The layover can be softened somewhat by two methods(both of which require some expense). First, you could return to SJU on a Friday and stay overnight. Get a late checkout from your hotel and you'll be in business.
Another idea is to become a Continental OnePass member and, within one year of joining, purchasing a "Privilege Pack" for either $69.95 or $99.95. The "packs" include a large number of coupons for air travel and upgrades with Continental, hotel and rental car discounts and upgrades, either 5K or 7.5K OnePass miles, and, for purposes of this post, numerous one-time free passes to Continental's President's Club/NWA's WorldClub at SJU. The Club passes are good for both you and 1 guest. The OnePass miles are good for Northwest travel.
Again, I don't work for any of these companies or get any compensation for these suggestions. This is simply how I've planned my BON holiday in Jan 2002. I don't know if these suggestions will be helpful, but I sure hope your next trip to BON will be better than the last.

Next time try going Wichita - Dallas - San Juan - Bonaire and back all on American Airlines. I priced this routing for Sept. 20-28 and am coming up with a price of $679.60.

I'll stick with Air Jamaica, thank you! Sorry to hear about such a horror story. There are some folks who love ALM, but with our luck, we would have a trip such as yours! Think positive next time....you will have better luck with AA, I am certain. Carole

Air Jamacia is disgusting. I would never use them again - it was a complete disaster. Trip from June 13th - 20th 2001. We (5 in a family 3 bdrm Condo at SandDollar) used their "Air Jamacia Vacation Package"- GREAT PRICE, however the flights were rediculous. NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. Last night they stranded us in Newark, NJ. We were supposed to be in PHILA, PA, however our flight left without us because we were 15 minutes late arriving from Bonaire in Montego Bay. Take this as a WARNING...would never fly Air Jam again............
As soon as i recover (We arrived home at 1:30 AM this morning.) I will post a trip report.

Jacki, so sorry to hear about your horror story. Air Jamaica generally does hold the plane for those who are on late-arriving connecting flights (Air Jamaica flights). I know for a fact that they have held flights for periods much longer than 15 minutes, so I don't know what happened in your situation. I have even heard of them putting up folks in Jamaica at a nice hotel when a connecting flight is missed due to their delay. Was it Air Jamaica thoughout the trip? Very sorry to hear that you had such a rough time. We have flown them twice since last September and will use them again.

I do hope your Bonaire trip was wonderful, however, and look forward to your trip report posting! Carole

Hi John! We just arrived home last night. You know that EVERY airline has horror stories. Both flights via Air Jamaica were excellent. We only encountered some seating arrangement problems on the way back, but the flight attendants were fantastic, and handled everything fast and efficiently!!! They definitely hold planes...we went down in March and our flight from NJ was late...they held the plane in Montego Bay for just my husband and myself!!!! I have only experienced enjoyable flights with Air Jamaica...enjoy your flight!

Warning!! Don't fly ALM. This has got to be the worst airline in the world. I use the term Airline loosely. It took a group of 18 of us 24 long hard hours to get back from Bonaire to Wichita Kansas June 17 2001. The flight was canceled and pushed back many times. Even after getting on a plane in Bonaire we sat in the airplane packed with people for over 45 minutes with NO air-conditioning. It was over 100 degrees in the airplane. They were seating passengers in the jump seat in the cockpit and rear of the airplane. I will never consider going to Bonaire again via ALM. Don't even think about flying ALM. Kenny Houk

That sounded like a most compelling testimonial to take Air Jamaica if I ever heard one.

Oh I don't know about that.

He got to the Bonaire (no mention of trip down), apparently his luggage arrived on Bonaire (no mention of that). As to the trip home, it has been posted ALM is having financial troubles so he could be in Curacao using a pay phone but is sending his "warning" from the comfort of home.

It could have been even worse, he could have to take a boat from Curacao to Bonaire and back, that has happened.

Ya gotta look at the bright side, you got to Bonaire and to dive, I am sitting here looking at the reef cam waiting for my turn.

Very similar stories here about all 3 of 'our' airlines. The one you are on is the 'worst' during and after a trip like Ken's or the others. No fun at all. Fortunately most of the trips on all three are good!!

I thought we WANTED them to cancel the flights home Boy was the quarry fun today.

And why are you repeating yourself? You made your ponit back in June

Hmmmmm

Hmmmmmm 2 Methinks he doth protest too much :-)

We have all heard about the "good the bad and the ugly" of Air ALM, Air Jamicia, and AA. No matter what someone types about any airline, someone, somewhere is going through "airline hell" at the very moment you are reading this. Instead of trying to beat Air ALM into the ground, remember that JM and AA service only would drive up ticket prices and make getting to Bonaire much harder for people traveling and have a great impact on the local economy, i.e. less tourism, fewer jobs.

What we need to do is organize ourselves into groups of travelers by region and desired travel time and then charter a flight. That way we can avoid the hassles of a public flight. What kind of deal could a plane full of people get? If you're like me, then some of you know almost a year in advance when you want to go to Bonaire.

Just scheming...

At the risk of being screamed at,again, I'll mention once again, if you are in a position to travel on Can.3000 out of Toronto, I believe they offer not only the possibility of a group plane, but also a discount for us, as part of this group, regardless of whether we fly at the same time or not, called the 'family and friends plan'. And, I may be incorrect here, but back when I first joined this group,I believe Jake was talking about something similar with hotels. And should anyone wonder,I am not a travel agent,or an agent for them. I own no shares. The only benefits I stand to gain, are those offered you.Except, of course, you get the added benefit of Am. dollar discounts.

Don't even think about flying ALM. If you read my earlier post you see that I feel ALM is a disaster waiting to happen. I am a pilot myself. I know airlines. ALM should be put out of business from lack of passengers . However this would be imposable because it's a government ran airline. Have you ever known any government to do well while trying to play the big dog in a free enterprise market? The Bonaire government keeps the good airlines out. They restrict landing slots. American airlines has a world class route from Cozumel to the USA. Why do you think they (AA) only run a small turbo prop from Bonaire? I strongly suspect that most of the positive comments on this post are from ALM airline itself. Just be warned, don't fly ALM. Don't get me wrong. I will return to Bonaire. I love Buddy Dive and all the Bonaire people it's just that ALM sucks.

Kenny

Kenny,

ALM (government owned) is technically out of business, as of last Monday. They have been replaced by Dutch Caribbean Express (owned by the island of Curacao), with the same planes, less people (but those left are from ALM). Not sure what the implications of that are.

Jake

ALM is still in business. As a mater of fact their main pilot was killed in a plane crash. Check this web site out and if you still feel ok to fly ALM you must be brain dead.
http://www.airalm.com/2000pressrelease.html

Does anyone know if the airlines are still
forcing passengers to "surrender" their camera equipment prior to boarding and longer? (packing in the check-in bags is not an option I will even entertain). thanks! Carole

Only in Aruba, as far as I know, Carole. Definitely not in San Juan, Bonaire, Orlando, Miami, or Boston (all the places I've been since 9/11).

Jake

Thanks, Jake. I will re-check again as we get closer to lift-off! Carole

Carole,

Check back in the threads: I thought more than one message talked of stubborn people having their cameras and batteries walked out to the plane in Aruba by counter agents.

Glen, we will be on AJ from Newark into MB, then Bonaire...no plans on going thru Aruba...our Aruba days are "history" now that we have been to Bonaire! Thanks for the tip, tho. If I must give my camera to anyone for one moment out of my sight they will have to provide a signed receipt for me in case it "disappears"....you know how things can happen at times! Thanks again. Carole

Carole,
Flying Air Jamaica in November they did not require us to give up our cameras-- They did however check the bags and asked that I remove the lenses. I believe that as Jake said that was happening in Aruba.