Capr Air connection in San Juan from Cont. Airlines question

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:21 pm

I know this has been covered before, but for the life of me, I have so much trouble with searching anything on this forum. I you have any advice I'd appreciate it. I know I'm computer illiterate, and it can't be that hard.

Anyway, I'm considering booking a flight in Nov. which goes directly from Houston to SJ with a 1 hr layover to Cape Air. I will not be checking bags. Is it a big airport, a long walk, right next to each other? Never been that way and I don't know what to expect other than the tiny plane which I'm kind ofexcited about. Looking for any insite. Or should I avoid SJ alltogether and stick with my normal route thru Miami (which I hate)? I can get to STT quicker and cheaper going thru SJ. I can use ff miles for Cont. and just pay for Cape Air which is about 250.

Help Please!

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:17 pm

I would fly Cape Air again if I needed to but since we have our own jet, I doubt that will ever be necessary.

You travel at about maybe 4,000 feet altitude and it takes about 30 minutes or so. I have a video of the entire flight somewhere and you get a closer view of all the islands in between SJU and STT. I was in the co-pilots seat and the 10 seat plane was full. You have to weigh as the weight and distribution of the passengers, luggage, etc is important. I believe my luggage made it to St. Thomas on a later flight. The negatives during my flight was no air conditioning and the b.o. of a guy headed to Tortola. $250.00 seems excessive.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:21 pm

San Juan is not THAT big of an airport. When we've had to make choices on transfers, we've always selected San Juan over Miami. If you have no luggage to worry about, all the better.

Marcia

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:30 pm

Don't you have to go thru customs in SJ? I think on my return leg I have about 45 min. Is that enough time without having to claim bags?

Thanks!

RevStu · Post by **RevStu** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:11 pm

Actually you shouldn't have to clear customs in San Juan and Cape Air should be able to transfer your bags depending on which airline. I believe they have a transfer program with most of them, but double check their website or give them a jingle.

But customs you only go though leaving and thats at the STT airport. See you soon.

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:33 am

If you are all carry on there will be an issue on the flight back. We went all carry on last year, but since the Cape Air planes are small, all but the smallest bags are stowed. You still had to go outside security in San Juan, pick up the baggage at the regular baggage carousels, and come back through security check. If your airline (Continental) has a transfer agreement with Cape Air, I'd baggage check everything for the trip home to avoid the hassle at San Juan.

The trip down with carry on only is a relative breeze. Good luck.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:33 am

The SJU airport is walkable. We had a toddler (with a carseat) on our last trip and didn't find the distance to be any problem at all.

If at all possible, get your Contential boarding pass prior to hitting the SJU airport on your return leg. We had US Air-associated problems at the airport, most of which related to not having our boarding passes/flight being overbooked/no computers.

njhdrider · Post by **njhdrider** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:54 pm

If you are worried about the Cape Air plane, check out American Airlines. My family was scared about the smaller plane, and I found that American has a connecting flight with 757 service from San Juan to St Thomas.

Vince.

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