Air Jamaica is my preferred carrier out of BOS to BON. I have had pretty good luck but noticed while in BON in the winter for 6 weeks, the flights in and out were often VERY delayed. Sometimes 5 hours. How has the schedule been as of late?

Annie

traveled to/from Bonaire 15-22 Feb (was supposed to be R/T from Newark, but ended up having to drive to Phila night b4, hope to have trip report up soon...)

Arrived 1 hour late on 15 Feb (they held the flight for our Phila connection).

Flight on 22 Feb departed nearly 2 hours late, as inbound was late, having been held in MoBay for connections. Only flights that appear to have been held were Newark & Boston (Newark had 20 passengers; Boston nearly 40; think the Boston flight might have been the continuation with same equipment).

I've talked to quite a few Americans lately that came here through AJ, but had had trouble with lost luggage. Don't know if that's a coincidence or a pattern...

Marc,

Lost, as in gone forever, or late to arrive??

I have not heard of gone forever-cases, but then, I don't know the outcome of all of them

We took AJ in November from Chicago-no problems going down, but delays and boarding pass hassles in Bonaire. This caused many passengers to miss their connection in Jamaica. Fortunately, we had a long layover, so we were ok.

We flew AJ March 19 return 26th from Atlanta with no problems either way. The plane from Montego Bay that was to take us back was about 20 min. late but they made up time in the air.
Make sure your bags are clearly tagged with your name and that when you check them at your departure that they put the correct airport code tags on them for final destination.
I really like the Wednesday flights because the seem to be on time and a lot less crowded.

Is AJ permitting the checked bags to be locked with a small lock on the outside? If not, how are the checked in bags being secured to keep "sifters" out of the bags once they leave the passenger's hands??? Thanks! Carole

Everyone should get used to the idea that "locks" of any kind other that zip-ties will not be allowed by TSA, period. If TSA decides to inspect your luggage, they will cut the ties, inspect you luggage, and put new zip-ties in their place. This is the only acceptable form of "lock" on any luggage.

Ann, Flew AJ March 1 and 19 were an hour late arriving in Bonaire due to taking a sick passenger off the plane in Montego Bay. Actually left early from Bonaire on the way home. No luggage problems either way. Hope to see you at the King of the Cape.

What about checked baggage size. Recently there was a change in bag dimensions, but I don't recall exactly what the numbers were. Anybody notice any problems?

The only difference I know of is the weight limits. Checked bags up to 50lbs. Between 50 and 70 lbs per bag, you are charged an overweight fee.

Baggage limitations may possibly vary by airline; they usually have their restrictions on their website. On American, the 50# limit per bag is within the continental US; for international travel originating in the US (don't know about other origination points), it goes up to 70# per bag, limit of 2 checked bags. I think their weight limit for the carry-on is something like 40# (ugh - wouldn't want to do that!!!) They have their size restrictions on the website, too.

Thanks for the info, James. I will have to dispose of my "locks" and go the way of the zip-ties. Carole

We are leaving for Bonaire 2 weeks from today...we flew to San Juan in February and we could not lock our luggage...I was wondering where does one purchase the zip-ties mentioned here...and what are zipties? Thanks, Marianne

Any hardware store or stores like Home Depot carry the plastic zip ties in different lengths and colors.

We flew AJ to and from Bonaire on March 12 and March 19 from Baltimore, MD. The flight down was about 45 minute late in leaving due to the "time on ground" requirements of the crew, but the flight itself was lovely... they served a nice champagne (if you wanted it) breakfast, and we watched a movie. The crew couldn't have been nicer.

We were late for our connection in Montego Bay, but the captain got on the intercom as we were landing and asked those not going to Bonaire to remain seated, while those of us going got off. They put us in a golf cart and zoomed us to the waiting plane... our luggage made it as well!

We arrived in Bonaire on time - middle of the afternoon. The flights home were completely without incident... we boarded in Bonaire on time, landed in Montego Bay, literally walked down the hall and through the gate onto the next flight home!

The thought of taking one of the US carriers and having an all day layover in Puerto Rico was too much to think about, but AJ was fast, convenient, and all four flights were really pleasant. We'll take them again in a minute.

Stef

Zip ties are what electricians and other cable techs use to bundle cables together. One end loops around the cable and is inserted into a slot on the other end. A one-way "zipper" inside the slot makes sure that the tie does not re-open.

Stef, glad to hear about the AJ flight. We're booked for the same one out of BWI in August.

James - since you're going out of BWI I will warn you that the AJ gate area has no food, other than a starbucks that serves some muffins. We had planned on eating at the airport, since we got there at 6:30am (and who wants to eat before then?) but there was nada... there is food somewhere, but it's a LONG way away from the gate.... so just FYI... either eat something before you go, or bring something with you.. the AJ breakfast was quite delicious, but might not be enough...

and good luck.. I hope your flights are the non-events ours were!

stef