Non-stop to the islands

[AquaGirl]

I am getting desperate for a trip to the islands, probably just a short one. I would like to go some place that is easy to get to and we can fly there non-stop from the Washington D.C. or Baltimore airports. Non-stop would minimize the travel time for a short trip.
It takes us all day to get to St John, so that is probably not a choice for this short trip. Not interested in Mexico nor Jamaica.
My question is - how would I search on-line for a direct flight to an island since I'm not sure which airline nor which island?
Any ideas from advanced "googlers"?

[sailorgirl]

This time of year how about Bermuda?

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[promoguy]

I would think that American Airlines would be your best bet, since they are strong to most islands. Although you might have direct flight issues since they seem to like to herd people through Miami.

[pipanale]

You're looking for a list that says "These are island-like places I can get to directly from IAD, DCA or BWI"...right?

I think I know where to look.

Let me check real quick.

(Hold music)

Yup...this isn't elegant, but it works.

Go to Wikipedia and search on the airport codes. People have taken great amounts of time to list every destination and airline that flies direct from a given airport.

Then, at least, you can see that you can fly to XX and YY from a given airport. then...figure out where you want to go from that list.

I'm sure there are better ways to do this, but this will get it done.

[jayseadee]

Does it have to be Caribbean islands?

What about Sanibel, Captiva, Marco, Hutchinson, etc. in Florida? I'm sure you can go non-stop to any of the major Florida airports.

Would also second Bermuda. Although an easy trip from the east coast, it can be expensive.

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[alw1977]

You are just going to have to pull out a map, go to Orbitz, input desired dates and possible locations and see what comes up.

Are you looking to go Thurs-Sun or for longer? For example, I note that from the DC area that are directs offered only on certain days to certain places. Your dates may dictate where you go, unless you are very flexible.

I do see non-stops to Puerto Rico on AA and United. Too bad Mexico is not a consideration - there are some great deals down there right now.

[liamsaunt]

I will chime in and recommend Bermuda. We got back last night. It's so close to you, and it's a good spot for a short trip. If you are thinking of going soon the tourism council is offering a special of $100 off per night for hotel stays of four nights or longer.

Price wise, the restaurants are on a par with St. John. There are hotels and guest colonies in all ranges. Taxis are expensive, but I preferred to pay the fares or take the bus rather than attempt to drive a scooter. Both John and I have been dumped off the back of a scooter on seperate occasions on Bermuda--thanks to my Dad--not fun. You can't rent a car-it's scooter, taxi, or bus.

Bermudians are exceptionally polite and the island itself is beautiful. I'm going to put up some pictures in a couple of days that might help convince you to give it a try.

[AquaGirl]

Thanks for all the ideas. Pipinale hit it on the head with the question. I am going to try the Wikipedia idea and Orbitz. We generally fly AA since we have FF miles on it. They don't have many direct flights. I have heard United has a direct to STT, which would be nice, then its just a taxi and ferry to STJ.

Now it looks like we can't go until Oct or Nov, due to jobs and family visits, so perhaps I can swing a week long trip to St John since that's where I want to go anyway.

We went to Bermuda on our honeymoon, quite a few years ago. It was such a beautiful island, but at that time, it was very dressy in most restaurants. You had to take dress clothes (jacket for men) or you couldn't get into most restaurants. Since those days, we have become shorts and flip flop kind of people. Have to dress up for work, so we like to be totally casual on vacation. That 2 hour flight is tempting though.

We love Sanibel and Captiva - visited many times; will be there in January as my hubby has a business trip then and I will join him part of the time. I'll check on direct flight to Ft Meyers.

Never been to Marco, and I had never heard of Hutchinson. I love to look at different places on-line, so I will check them out.

Thanks again!

[sailorgirl]

We went to Bermuda on our honeymoon, quite a few years ago. It was such a beautiful island, but at that time, it was very dressy in most restaurants. You had to take dress clothes (jacket for men) or you couldn't get into most restaurants. Since those days, we have become shorts and flip flop kind of people. Have to dress up for work, so we like to be totally casual on vacation. That 2 hour flight is tempting though.

Maybe Liamsaunt could chime in on the dress code issue. I know that Bermuda was more formal, but maybe that has changed.

[liamsaunt]

Bermuda is now a mix of formal and not formal. It depends where you want to eat. John only brought shorts and we enjoyed some very nice meals in beautiful outdoor settings. That said, there are definitely places you still need a jacket. For one example, we did a dinner on the beach at the Reefs, where shorts and and bare feet were appropriate. However, at the Reefs' other restaurants, men were in full jacket and tie--and the ladies were very dressed up too.

Basically, the outdoor restaurants are casual, the indoor restaurants are dressy. We ate outdoors.

[sailorgirl]

My parents honeymooned at the Reefs 51 years ago