United has a flight into SJU with connection time to Cape Air of only ~ one hour (the flight with a ~ 2 hr connection is $$ more). What's minimal time required there? Our bunch will have checked bags.

thx, rrs

Where and what time is the United flight leaving the US? If it’s the first flight bank out of the US I would be OK with one hour. If it’s later in the day I would not be as comfortable. If booked all on one ticket United has an obligation to rebook you if you miss the connection. Cape Air has 9 flights a day.

Arrives Sju 4:30 pm / Thursday in Feb / out of IAH

Thx

It’s probably the 2nd bank out of IAH. Not quite as reliable as the first but should be ok. It’s so far off that I suspect there might be a schedule change that would give you a free rebooking. The fare I saw for a random day in Feb was crazy cheap. I would just grab it now. There is a later Cape Air. Should be able to rebook you to that flight however if you have several people in your party seats could be an issue.

Thx much

100% agree. If you see a good fare like this all on one ticket and you're this far out, grab it and just know that you're going to have itinerary changes and are going to need to keep a close eye on your email for any changes and call the airline for free rebooking as necessary.

Our recent trip, we booked about 7 months in advance, initially JAX-MIA-SJU-EIS. We were eventually able to change to JAX-MIA-EIS and ended up with a significant upgrade at no charge due to the changes to the flight schedules. But it did take some vigilance of keeping an eye on those emails and proactively calling the airline for each of the 2-3 schedule changes over the course of those months, so there is a cost in the time you have to put in.

OK: We have seven players (all one family).

Option One: $650 pp - one way - United > SJU > **Cape Air** - one hour connection > on to EIS

Option Two: $450 - United > spend night at SJU airport > next am, **Silver Air** (everyone's favorite) -

We are arriving one day prior to charter sleep aboard. We will have to stay one night in a hotel at SJU or EIS, either way.

What think ye?

The 200 dollar difference is a nice hotel in SJU. It also breaks up the travel. Really depends on how tight you are for vacation time. You could also see what changing that sleepaboard into a regular day would cost. If you arrive in EIS on the first flight you can spend your sleepaboard out on the water!

I would agree the overnight is less stressful if you have the time. One hour connection in SJU is tight .

Agree with George and Kim. I would also add that I highly prefer Silver Air over Cape, if nothing else for the aircraft they fly.

I'm personally just past the point in life where I'm prepared to be crammed like a sardine with my knees up by my ears into a pillbox with a lawnmower engine strapped to the nose. Been there, done that, don't need to be crammed into a "9 seat" Cessna again unless there are only 5 people or fewer on board, max.

The overnight in SJU can be fun, and you wake up refreshed and charged and ready to hit the ground running on Tortola the following morning. For $1,400 less, it's a no brainer to me.

George's nice room in San Juan for $200 has gone the way of roll up car windows. The cheapest Marriott room is at least $230, and most hotels tack on a "resort fee" for a couple exercise bikes. It can still be a good alternative, but not cheap.

True but he has 7 people saving 200 each. Thats 1400 for 2 or 3 rooms.

We'll probably go the "stay at SJU route"

Any tricks to Islandbirds RT?

Only flying commercial to SJU loosens up the budget ceiling a bit

What is the airfare to SJU vice all the way to EIS. Can’t be much cheaper than the EIS fares I am seeing. 7 people and luggage may not be doable on a charter.

We have been doing the SJU to VG with Island Birds for many years.

A few years back, SJU starting charging $$$ for departures so we opt to take a cab to Isle Grande to fly out of there. Island Birds will fly out of SJU but the fee, last time I asked, was and extra $1,200,

7 people will come with minimal luggage allowance.

Like someone mentioned, I have moved past Cape Air. Too small, too hot and they left our bags behind too many times.

Cape pair dies leave bags for weight but they almost always fly a extra flight with the bags and deliver them to you.

Another option we have used is Southwest to San Juan. Chartering out of the smaller airport can be cheaper.

Actually, it's 2 lawnmower engines strapped to the wings!

Silver is not as reliable as Cape Air with fewer options if things go wrong. You also have a wonderful view on the flight on Cape Air. They should start getting the new Tecnam P2012 aircraft soon to replace the Cessna’s.
The lawnmorer engines strapped to the wings are 540 cubic inch engines. Just a bit more than a lawnmower!