We're planning to return to Anegada in November or early December. Last time (spring of 2015) we flew (from Washington DC area) into STT and chartered a plane from Island Birds. Good service, nice pilots, a bit expensive. Any suggestions or recommendations on a better or less expensive approach this time around?

We flew VI Airlink last Nov from EIS to Anegada. Not sure if they fly out of STT or not.

Ace Flight Center is the least expensive by a long shot.

I don't know anything about these guys, but sometimes, the 'least expensive', when you're talking FLYING, might not be the best move???

Fair enough. From experience, I can say that I've made about 25 trips with them in 4 years and not felt unsafe.

I THINK the reason their prices are lower is that it's a flight school. They use the charters as a way for the students to get airtime. Most times the owner is the pilot and there is not a student on board. Other times he has had a student with him but he always takes the left seat.

I can't speak to their maintenance but they are based in STT so I assume they have normal FAA requirements for maintenance.

Planes are older and pretty worn but I've had the same experience with VI Airlink, Air America, and all the other SJU and EIS companies I've flown with.

$500 cash each way.

OK, thanks for the additional info.

I have flown with Cleo at Ace more times than I can count back and forth to Puerto Rico.

Have used Cleo at Ace out of STT many times myself. He's always flown (except once), and I've always had a very good experience.

I have always flown with Ace and usually with Cleo - ever since he started in fact - my son in law got his license there and is now a major airline pilot - their safety record and standards are excellent - the planes are not new at least the last trip that I saw.
I have also used the helicopter to Anegada - depends how many people you have as an option.
http://caribbean-buzz.com/helicopter-services/helicopter-charters-in-the-virgin-islands/

Can you give a rough idea of the helicopter cost to Anegada?

Carol, remember the aircraft is composed of parts entirely from the lowest bidder. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

....which is maybe why spending a bit more for maintenance, and thus having a bit higher cost overall, might be a good idea!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duel.gif" alt="" />