What are the most reliable airlines from SJU to EIS? Got a friend looking at flying into SJU and onto EIS next Spring.

Thanks!

Lat year we flew Seaborne. This year we flew InterCaribbean. Both were fine. All flights were on time. InterCaribbean had great prices.

On our trip in June, Seaborne left behind the luggage of 3 out of 8 crew. It took two days of staying on the dock to get the luggage. What was funny is that Premier Dr. Smith was on the flight and they left his luggage. I was booked in row 1 but guess who got my seat.

Cape Air, Seaborne and InterCaribbean are all reliable. The first two codeshare with major airlines.

Seaborne is reliable if you don’t need your luggage.

Perhaps you hit a bad day. We’ve flown Seaborne dozens of times and our luggage - lots of it - has always made it. They even brought my husband’s three 70-lb. bags one time when they didn’t fit on Cape Air. We bring chainsaws, shop vacs, power tools, boat parts - you name it - and everything arrives with us.

Air Sunshine has been good for us

The problem was that they kept promising that the luggage for three different crew members would be on "the next flight". It took two days of "the next flight" to get the missing luggage. The reps at EIS were absolutely worthless. We finally managed to get an email for customer service at corporate and escalated the situation and it was finally resolved after several back and forth emails. It was very frustrating having to stay at the marina for two days waiting.

We have always had a great experience with Cape Air. Reliable, flexible and great views! The only downside is their cost is substantially higher then alternatives. We're looking at a trip in December and as much as we'd like to use them, at twice the cost of seaborne I think we'll be going with seaborne.

If you have five or more people try a charter - the costs are about the same and they leave when you arrive in SJU and your luggage goes with you

Cape Air without question.

Have had great experiences with Intercaribbean the last two years.

Can anybody provide an answer on carrying a musical instrument with Cape Air or InterCaribbean?

I travel with a guitar -- its a Martin Junior Dreadnought (for those who may want to know) but it is 3/4 the size of a 'regular' guitar. On the larger airline jets, I can carry it on and stow it above the seat. On the smaller commuter/regional jets, I carry it to the plane and store in the hold and I pick it up at the side of the plane when I arrive. I never check it as a piece of luggage (I always fly carry on only for my BVI sailing trips)

What I am wondering about is: if I look at Cape Air or Intercaribbean as the final leg of my trip to EIS next February, do their planes (Cessena 402 for CA/Twin Otters for IC) allow me to have it on board (though stored with all the other luggage)? Or do I have to buy a seat for a guitar (not in my budget!)?

With Seabourne, I carried it to the plane and they stored it for me and I picked it up at the tarmac at EIS. When arriving at STT on the major airlines' 737 or 767s, I had it with me in the cabin.

Thanks,

Donald

I suspect it will go into the front cargo area although there is room in the passenger cabin at the back of the seats and if you ask the pilot to treat it with care.

Suggest you call the airline to get the straight scoop.

Charter with TMM, guitar rentals are available.

My son brings his Martin on vacation with us often. We have either used Cape Air or a charter from SJU - which use the same Cessna 402 type as Cape Air. There has been no issue stowing the guitar in the nose stowage or in a spare spot in the cabin. Typically he carries it to and from the boarding gate, and he carries it in a hard case.

FYI - the charter group we use (which is economic for groups 5+ and always much more reliable than scheduled) is Charter Flights Caribbean based out of SJU.

....but not Baby Martins or Taylors.....

LAST year we flew Seaborne. This year we flew InterCaribbean BOTH ARE GOOD

The small guitar will fit no problem in the Cessna 402. The issue might be that it counts as your carryon bag. Trying to pack everything else into your personal item might be tough. Airlines are cracking down a bit on carryon bags.

GordaGuy2, we have 6 people and are looking to possibly doing a private charter from San Jaun to Beef Island in April. We have never done a private charter before so we are clueless on how it works. We will be flying to San Jaun on Southwest. Which airlines offer private charters and which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

I have used these guys from San Juan to both Beef Island and San Juan to Nevis over the years. Very reliable, and in my experience competitively priced. I call them a month or 2 before planned travel dates and they have never failed to deliver. I have also used Fly BVI in the past - and I have always gathered quotes from them, Island Birds and a few others. These guys have been my pick each time.

http://charterflightscaribbean.com