Can I get some feedback on recent Air Sunshine experiences? We've used them a lot in the past and never had a problem but it's been years. This would be STT to EIS in May.

We have used them a few times in the past 2 years with no issues other than delays

We used them MArch 2015. We arrived in SJU on time walked to the counter and waited for our flight and then took of pretty much on time. Supposed to be nonstop to EIS but there were 4 going to VG and there was enough daylight so we took them there. No problem. Cleared customs in VG and got back on the plane. On the return, also supposed to be nonstop, were the only 4 again. We got there early and were told we were taking off a little early so we could pick up 4 from VG. I think we ended up leaving a few minutes later than they intended but there were some decent showers in the area. No biggie. We will fly them again. There was a couple that was not happy at the counter at SJU. Their inbound flight was delayed and caused them to miss the outbound flight to EIS. They were charged the extra $100 or so and then went standby. I think they made it on the last flight out. That is the biggest negative in my opinion. I understand they can't be all that flexible in a small airline to just let people show up when they can. Not like they can bump people that are there on time but still maybe they should cut the fee some?

This isn't real recent, but thought I would chip in to the discussion anyway. We took AS from SJU to VG in October last year. It left a little late - they were fueling the plane and it seemed to take a long time. Maybe there was a long line at the pumps
The flight went well as the pilot steered around some big ominous looking clouds. The seating is so cramped and uncomfortable, but we enjoy seeing the USVI and BVI islands along the way. Its a relatively quick way for us to get to VG too.

Have flown 'em on four trips r/t SJU-EIS-SJU. one of ground guys in SJU is alway nice and remembers us! Where else can you fly with boxes of live chickens behind the last row? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry in advance for the long post!!

I don't know how recent is recent, but this is from November of last year. We flew AS from SJU to EIS. We also were of the expectation that the flight would be non-stop. We arrive at SJU and check in with them to find out that we will be leaving a bit early. We had set aside a pretty decent layover just in case we had any delays on SW getting in to San Juan. Anyway, no big deal. Then, we find out our itinerary is now going to be Vieques, STT, VG and then finally EIS and that my wife and I are the only two on the plane going to EIS.

We take off from SJU and I soon notice that the pilot is using his cell phone in his lap as either a GPS or to view weather radar to help him avoid the gathering storms. We have a nice little flight over to Vieques and everyone on the plane is a bit relieved when the couple departing there gets off the plane as the female of the couple was a rather loud nervous Nellie and was also bouncing all over the place.

Moving on, we take off from Vieques as the first rain drops start pelting the windshield, heading for STT, no one on the plane knows why we are going to STT since none of us are getting off there. The weather worsens as we approach St. Thomas, but after a relatively slight delay, we are cleared to land. By this point, given the weather and visibility, I am making a bit more note of the instruments than I normally would just as someone who is interested in flying and has always wanted to learn how.

We land at STT and are told that the airport is closed and that the aiports in the BVI are closed as well. We are offered a chance to use the restrooms at the airport, but no one takes the opportunity as we are led to think that the delay will only be momentary. We reach a joint conclusion that the stop at STT is likely to drop off a package. The pilot disappears into the terminal and we are left alone (4 of us at this point) on the tarmac. Once the rains really start beating down, I know at least I needed that restroom, but there was no one to talk to about how to get out of the plane or where to go in the pouring down rain.

After about 40 minutes or so, the pilot comes back and says that it looks like there is a clearing coming soon and that if we miss this clearing, we will be stuck at STT for the night. We all begin to form plans to share a water taxi or figure something else out. Some are more upset than others at this point. Mostly we figure it's doing business in the islands and we'll make due.

Finally, two more guests are added on to the plane. It just so happens that one of them is a very old friend! What a small world and what a fun way to bump into each other and catch up!! After about an hour on the tarmac, and back to six passengers, we are finally airborne again. Shortly after taking off, the VG passengers are informed that they will not be landing at VG as the daylight is gone. We are now headed to Tortola as the next and final stop. Wow is it bumpy and low visibility by now! Oh, did I mention that the instrument lights largely do not work and that the altimeter on the copilot side does not nearly match the altimeter on the pilot's side? Not being a pilot, this may be completely normal, but I was a bit more on edge by now. I was also keeping pretty good measure on the fuel guage, not that I completely understood what I was looking at (both due to my lack of airplane knowledge and the low amount of light and my distance from the instruments). At about the time we were arriving above Tortola, we are told that EIS is closed and there is no idea when it will re-open. We turn around and fly back to STT. As we arrive there, it is clear that visibility is really bad and that landing there will be extremely challenging. Fortunately, just as we find a break in the clouds and line up the runway, we are told EIS has opened back up. Throttle up, pull back on the stick and another 180!

WOW, watching the lightning over Tortola and the SFDC while bouncing up and down by 15 feet at a time was both spectacular and nerve wracking. Fortunately, visibility was back up and, for as terrified as we all were by the whole ordeal, this segment of the flight was among the most spectacular and memorable experiences of my life. I think there is still a dent in my hand from my wife squeezing so hard.

We ended up through customs and in our rental car driving from East End to Bananakeet in an absolute downpour by about 9:30pm, or about five and a half hours later than we were supposed to. I think I did the math at the time and found that we spent more time on that little puddle jumper from SJU-EIS than we did on the plane from BWI-SJU. By now, all we wanted was the stiffest drink known to man and something to eat. Heritage Inn stayed open just for the two of us. They were fantastic and so was the food! I think I WAY over-tipped them (on top of the automatic gratuity!, I think) as I was just so happy to be alive, drunk and fed that I didn't care about anything else at that moment.

The others headed to VG ended up, I think, on the NS Express the same night.

All in all, we got there and the skill of the pilot was VERY evident and comforting. That said, had we not been combined with other flights, our evening would have been much different. Just for the newer planes and lower chance of additional stops, we expect to fly Seaborne or Cape Air for the forseeable future. We found everyone we interacted with at AirSunshine to be courteous, professional and friendly though.

In the end, if you are flying STT-EIS, worst case you will have a stop at VG on the way, so little of this may apply to you, BUT, the more chinks in the armor, the more likely the chance of a failure on your trip. FWIW

Only meds-that's a crazy story!!! I can totally picture it happening too! Exactly the kind of scenario we're wanting to avoid! Think it's Fly BVI. Thanks for the responses!

I tried to do a private charter for my upcoming trip in June with Fly BVI. We'll have 9. 2 men, 2 ladies, 2 15 y.o. boys, 13 y.o boy, 13 y.o. girl, and 8 y.o. girl. I gave them a rough guess at our body weights and we were left with 150#'s for luggage for all 9. I had to pass. I'm 160#, the other man 190# maybe, so we're not exactly a heavy group. I sure with FlyBVI had worked out because we could have gotten an extra night in. We're flying into SJU on a Friday evening and FlyBVI was going to get us to EIS that night. With CapeAir changing my flight times and costing me a night, I may take a pass at Air Sunshine now.