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San Juan Airport - 45 Minute Connection Time - eeeeeek!
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:12 pm
by Bumblebee
We're flying down in mid October to spend a week in St. John. We didn't have much choice in our routing and have a 45 minute connection time in San Juan. We're on American Airlines coming in from Chicago and scheduled to arrive in San Juan at 7:55pm and out at 8:40pm (also on American)to St. Thomas. From what I can tell it looks like we may come into gate 16 or near to it and out of gate 1C or 1D or near to it. Anyone especially familiar with the San Juan airport? I think this connection time is really really tight and looks like the gates are in two separate areas. Thanks for any information!
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:17 pm
by California Girl
I can't say I know the San Juan airport real well, but having gone through there twice on American into STT I can say that even with a 20 min. connection, we made it fine. I've never seen the entire airport, but the part where American comes in and leaves to STT from isn't too huge. Hope this helps. 
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:18 pm
by USVISuzyQ
It shouldn't be a problem as long as you are not delayed to long in ORD. Any flight out of ORD can take off late due to the size of the airport, however keep in mind that they will make some time up in the air.
Good luck!
Sue
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:30 pm
by LandLockedBeachLover
It's certainly do-able - - about a 10 min walk. However, just having had some bad experiences with loss of luggage at SJU (not loss just delay)- - bring a carry-on with the essentials for at least one night & day. Island time you know.
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:39 pm
by Schnell
Only problem would be if you were going from jet service from ORD to a prop plane to STT. Even then my only fear would be a delay in your luggage.
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:43 pm
by Bumblebee
Yes, looks like we are going from jet to prop service. I think the gates for the prop planes may be on a different level.
Has anyone stayed at the San Juan airport hotel? or at a hotel near the Saint Thomas airport? Any recommendations?
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:57 pm
by RickG
Bumblebee wrote:Yes, looks like we are going from jet to prop service. I think the gates for the prop planes may be on a different level.
Has anyone stayed at the San Juan airport hotel? or at a hotel near the Saint Thomas airport? Any recommendations?
Its certainly doable. We did this in November with my Father in a wheelchair and all of our luggage made it fine. It's a pretty long walk - at least 10 minutes and more like 15.
Ditto on packing carry-on, you should be able to do it if you do not bring a cooler of food.
It's been years since I stayed at the SJU Airport Hotel. I got in quite late and was meeting someone early for a ride to the old Navy base, so did not have any choices. It was just okay. If you have the time, I would try to go somewhere nicer.
Cheers, Rick
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:03 pm
by Ksea
We will have a similar situation next June. We are doing carry on only in order to avoid any baggage delays. Would rather have time for one drink than have to wait for bags!
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:10 pm
by jdbcypresstx
If you get stuck in San Juan, there is a fairly new Embassy Suites by the San Juan Airport that we stayed in a couple of years ago with a casino nearby. It was nice. Continental put us up there because of a mechanical problem with the plane that we had already boarded.
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:13 pm
by Pia
I have one word for you..........RUN 
I have done this and if you are on time you can plan on 10 mins for deplaning (you know they all stand up and we then all wait) then it's a 10-15 min walk and remember the last bus to the plane departs from the terminal 10 mins before departure time - so leaving a 10 min window at most.
I would try to get seats as close to the door of the plane as possible.
Good luck
Pia
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:17 pm
by Ksea
Pia, were you on AA? Bill just told me we dont change planes at San Juan, sit on it for about 45 mins.??? I better check the reservations.
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:11 pm
by Pia
99% of the time I fly AA and I always have to change planes when I fly AA through San Juan.
I believe there is/was one flight where you do not change planes but I didn't think it was with AA but I'm not sure as it was a long time ago when I flew that one, but let me know your flight departure time from SJU and I might be able to let you know if it's one I take, and if it is, I'll know if it leaves from gates 1A-1D in which case it will be a smaller prop and that will involve a plane change.
Sorry I can't help more.
Pia
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:07 pm
by Ksea
Pia, thanks, I sent you a pm!
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:53 pm
by Pia
Hey Ksea - got it and sent you a reply
Pia