Air Travel from Midwest

[jcm]

Wanted to ask all the midwestern forum experts their best air travel routes to St.John.
American via San Juan gets into St. Thomas very late. Looks like via Miami
the best route with American Airlines. Has anyone had luck with United
non-stop. Believe it is only on Saturdays. Would appreciate any advice other
Chicagoans and others have had. Thanks so much. Booking for next spring.

[byado18]

Although it is usually more expensive, we like to use Delta through Atlanta.

The $$ is steep but the times coming and going (if we drive to an airport about 45 minutes away instead of the one in out town) are great!

[Rob7]

I hate Atlanta...my least fav airport
way to many delays and connection problems

That said.....from the upper Midwest area, going to Miami seems to be the best option. Have taken the Chicago United direct and it is good, but is Saturday only.

[tjwgrr]

FYI- UA's ORD flight stops in SJU on the way back from STT.

[dejavu]

We flew the United non-stop from ORD to STT in February on a Sunday. We had no issues at either airport, in fact we got into STT early. On the way home (because we returned on a Wednesday) we flew US Air thru Charlotte again no issues. I would always opt for non stop whenever possible.

[sea-nile]

I leave from Chicago and have tried all airlines depending on the price. I like the Charlotte airport for the layover the best (US Air). I am not a fan of Atlanta. Miami was not too bad. I have not found a direct flight since my trip in 2005. But I usually leave on a Thursday or Friday now.
At least we have choices!

[Tracy in WI]

We also always depart from Chicago and usually pick our flights based on price first and schedule second. We have used most of the airlines that fly to STT and always prefer the United non-stop but haven't been able to get that flight for a decent price lately.

The last trip we used Spirit and had a few issues but we made it there. We'll be using them again in June. The legroom is scarce (and I'm short!), they charge for everything including carry-ons and the Ft. Lauderdale terminal isn't the best.

We prefer to stop in Charlotte over all the others. Also, if you're doing a park, sleep n'fly hotel, we highly recommend the Renaissance hotel near O'Hare.

[cmw5682]

We too have used Spirit out of Chicago with a layover in FLL. Spirit really stinks but they were a a fraction of the price as the others. I can tough it up for a few hours and use that money towards villa rental or painkillers!
P.S. I love my ticker!

[chicagoans]

First trip was a United flight from ORD that connected at IAD to a US Air flight. Naturally first flight was delayed so our connection was really tight. (We did carry on only and raced from gate to gate - made the flight no problem.) The pain was checking in at STT on our way home. We had a US Air flight STT to IAD; then United IAD to ORD. There seemed to be some kind of issue having tix on a US Air flight that were booked via United. It took a strangely long time for the agent to figure out how to print our boarding passes.

Second trip was United non stop ORD to STT. Much better. (Although delayed 3+ hours.) Connected via SJU on the way home. No issues other than an overbooked flight (but that's so common you hardly notice any more.)

Just recently booked for a Tues - Tues trip for next Feb; it connects through CLT both ways. Couldn't find anything non-stop during the week (and can't fly on Sat. because I'm hoping to do 8 TUFF.)

We always fly United because that's where our miles are; but it seems that from ORD, American has better flights to the Caribbean.

[jcm]

Thanks everyone. Think we will try American first, then US Air through Charlotte
Hoping to use miles, but that is getting harder to do these days. Thanks again!
Just planning the trip makes one happy!!

[Muhaha]

I've actually done all of those flights: AA ORD-MIA-STT, AA ORD-SJU-STT, and UA ORD-STT. By far, the best is the UA direct flight, no contest. I normally prefer AA but it this case the direct flight cannot be beat. It get's you into STT by 2pm (I think...).