USVI-On-Line

We will be starting our Winter 2012 trip with three nights in San Juan.

Who has a experience or an opinion on taking American from SJU to STT? It is a turbo prop I believe. We only need it for a one-way trip. I am interested in typical delays, cancellations, overbooking issues.

I looked into Cape Air but the luggage restrictions are an issue. I put requests for quotes out to a recommended charter company but they haven't responded, which doesn't give me a good feeling.

PA Girl....Ah yes, San Juan airport. If my memory serves me correctly weren't we on the same flight where the landing gear wouldn't retract and we made an emergency landing? That was years ago but I still remember spinning wheels that night till a new plane rescued us. We did get back to San Juan for a "hit and run" long weekend at the Ritz. I like San Juan and I'm interested if you'll take food and pack other STJ stuff since you're not going there first.

Hey PA Girl!
American Eagle is an easy puddle jumper to STT from SJU. Never an issues for us and I would choose AA over Cape Air anytime. Good luck~

Back in the "good ole days" of years past, we were able to fly from the Washington, DC area to SJU, then on to STT on American Eagle. We could get to STT by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. It was great. Never had any problems with AA so no complaints on those trips. We have also flown American Eagle to other islands with no problems. With the schedule they have now, we would have to fly from Washington to MIA, to SJU to STT. Too many hops, so we won't take AA any more.

While we never had any issues on AA on the trips to SJU/STT, we had a problem on AA this year from Tortola. We were on Tortola, and had an American Eagle flight to SJU. The plane broke down when it arrived on Tortola, so we had to wait for the next flight. (There was hydraulic fluid on the ground under the plane after it landed on Tortola, so I was fine with NOT going on that plane!) The next flight arrived several hours late. We missed all our connecting flights, so we got into MIA close to midnight. Long travel day and not home yet! Had to spend the night in a hotel, then take a flight to Washington in the morning. We got home a day later than planned. AA did pay for the hotel, and gave us a voucher for food.

I would fly AA if they had convenient flights with only two legs to get to my destination island.

Pat wrote:PA Girl....Ah yes, San Juan airport. If my memory serves me correctly weren't we on the same flight where the landing gear wouldn't retract and we made an emergency landing? That was years ago but I still remember spinning wheels that night till a new plane rescued us. We did get back to San Juan for a "hit and run" long weekend at the Ritz. I like San Juan and I'm interested if you'll take food and pack other STJ stuff since you're not going there first.

Yes we were. What a night THAT was! I was travelling with two sisters (and their husbands) and they got the call that morning that their mother was dying so not only where they desperate to get home but then there was that plane issue.

We won't take food and I am not sure what I want to do about snorkel gear and other STJ necessities yet. I may ship a box.

If PA girl is starting with 3 nights in San Juan, she wont have the connecting flight/lost luggage issues that can crop up.

In fact, once we did a dirt cheap night flight from NY to SJU, stayed overnight at that Best Western airport hotel, stumbled down to the gate, and caught the first nearly empty AA flight out to STT, arriving well before 10am if memory serves, so you maybe can get over to STJ before lunchtime, which is pretty sweet, or, if arriving late morning, take in an early lunch at the always charming and delicious Gladys's Cafe in STT (hands down best conch fritters) before getting on the ferry.

jmq wrote:If PA girl is starting with 3 nights in San Juan, she wont have the connecting flight/lost luggage issues that can crop up.

In fact, once we did a dirt cheap night flight from NY to SJU, stayed overnight at that Best Western airport hotel, stumbled down to the gate, and caught the first nearly empty AA flight out to STT, arriving well before 10am if memory serves, so you maybe can get over to STJ before lunchtime, which is pretty sweet, or, if arriving late morning, take in an early lunch at the always charming and delicious Gladys's Cafe in STT (hands down best conch fritters) before getting on the ferry.

This is our plan. There are two hardcore shoppers in the group and they can go off on their own while the rest of us have a nice lunch. We had a terrific lunch there last July and I am really looking forward to it again. We may also take Jr. Pirate (our son) to Blackbeard's Castle again.

Airlines, PR, the VI and the weather are all crap shoots. I would take my chances on the AA flight. If you want a guarantee, you'll have to by a washing machine.

JIM

We fly through San Juan most of the time. We've had trouble there and Miami so it's a crap shoot. I sort of like San Juan better because if you get stuck there there are more flight opportunities to get to St Thomas during the day. At least you're closer to your destination and it's a very short ride.