Seaborne Airlines

Making our flights for next month. Thinking of seaborne from sju to eis. Anyone have any feed back?
Thanks,
Ellen

We used to fly Seabourne all the time but after this last trip in January, our group became a big fan of InterCaribbean. Everything ran on time, free checked bag, and the best price we have ever paid.

We have always used Cape Air and were very happy. But last year the connection was with Seaborne out of SJU. All I can say is never again!
They lost our luggage for 5 days (luckily it was on the return). We are taking our chances this year with the ferries. Flying into EIS was too expensive this time.

I'm using AirSunshine for the first time next month from SJU to Virgin Gorda.

We've used Seaborne a couple of times with good results, ditto for Cape Air.

We have flights booked in May on Jet Blue into San Juan but haven't booked our flight to the BVI from SJU yet - it will likely be on Seabourne.

Flying back 6/6 out of EIS for the return and booked the whole thing via Delta using Seabourne out of EIS and connecting in SJU on to Tampa.

We just used Seaborne via JetBlue in February and did not have any issues, everything was smooth as can be.

Bridget - is your Delta/Seabourne flight booked on miles or dollars? When I try to check out cost/miles Delta website is telling me that there are no Delta/partner flights into EIS. Did you make your reservations via phone?

Yes - I had to call them - you can't do it online - it doesn't show up. Shows up on Orbitz just fine of course <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> but I never ever book via search engines - always via the airline.

Just booked InterCaribbean from SJU to EIS on 5/25. We land at 9 a.m. in SJU so that should give us plenty of time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Seaborne just canceled our afternoon flight and in July put us on the late flight. Needless to say a 6 hr layover in SJU is not high on my list. Not the first time they have juggled schedules and screwed up a nice itinerary.

For Air Sunshine, just be aware that they will combine flights to get a full plane. Their afternoon flights to VG are 2:30 and 5:30. So, if you booked the 2:30, you may be combined with the 5:30 flight and leave anytime between 2:30 and 5:30. But if you booked the 5:30, you may leave earlier than 5:30. Every day is different depending on their bookings. Good Luck!

We travel round trip 6 or 7 times each year and have used Seaborne almost exclusively between SJU and EIS for the past 3 years. We have had luggage show up a day late a few times over the years. Yes, their flights may be late. And yes, their schedule may change. But, overall, we find them to be the most reliable carrier between SJU and EIS.

Back in the day of American Eagle - they were no better than Seaborne is now. In fact, I think Seaborne is more reliable than Eagle was.

We used Cape Air quite a bit after American Eagle went away. I think that their service is worse than Seaborne. Schedule seems to mean nothing to them - we seldom had a flight on time. As a pilot, I also think that they have the least professional flight crews down here. Their pilots are very lax on navigation and altitude.

We have no experience with Air Sunshine or InterCaribbean because they do not code share with American. Not being able to check baggage through to EIS is a show-stopper for them.

Bottom line: This is the Caribbean. You simply cannot have expectations here like you have in the U.S., including air travel.

Every time I read a thread like this I'm thankful to pick up my boat on St Thomas. I get off my reliable lower cost "real" aircraft with a "real" airline at STT and in 10 minutes I can be sitting on my boat wondering what I should have for lunch. But I'm glad the bulk of you have not figured it out yet!

We have used both SeaBorne and Air Sunshine.
No problems with either. This trip we are using SeaBorne again and they did switch an early morning flight from SJU to mid morning. No big deal, just have to roll with it.

The first time we flew Air Sunshine part of the cargo was roosters going to Tortola that crowed the whole time. The captain landed in Virgin Gorda on the way to Tortola so we could check in there. He said it would be easier, but there were other customers going there and checking in at EIS is easy with a small plane like that.

We wouldn't hesitate to use either company again.


m&m

Thanks Bridget! (I always book through the airline directly too - usually with miles)

Well...no boat pickup involved for me in April....so there ya go <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We've only booked with Seaborne once - though we have never actually flown with them. Booked and paid for a one-way from SJU to ANU months in advance for my family of five. About a week before the flight I decided to give them a call as the flight hadn't been showing up on their website. After a few minutes searching they told me the flight was cancelled quite a while back. That was news to me as there had been no prior communication from Seaborne concerning the cancellation and they had not refunded the money that we had paid to them. Seems we just kind of slipped through the cracks. We ended up flying on Liat and everything went without a hitch, though I've read that's not the norm for them either. In any case, we make every effort now to charter out of a larger island that the major airlines serve, or we book a private charter flight from SJU to EIS. The extra cost is worth the piece of mind IMO - and it works well for our family of five.

Matt

That's funny...my flight is at 3:30 on 4/11 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
I always head down expecting a snag here and there - it's just part of the whole experience. Worst case scenario? It turns out to be a CF and I use ferries and eat the plane ticket...I'm still in paradise with people I love <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Hey Bridget! Air Sunshine has updated their website and now shows the flights from San Juan to VG at 2:30 and 5:00. Looks like their prices have gone up as well! https://www.airsunshine.com/flight-schedule.html

Still seeing my 15:30 (3:30) flight to Virgin Gorda....

Just an update on the Delta/Seabourne code sharing ....just got off the phone with Delta. Rep (at Diamond Medallion line - so you hope they know what they're talking about) said Seabourne is NOT a Delta skymiles partner. Can't use miles to book a ticket all the way through to EIS.

Can't speak for other airlines but we have always gone Seaborne. Apart from one flight time moved we had great flights ; service at SJU great and BVi... Pretty good. We always show up well in advance at BVI. Nice flight; smooth and comfortable aircraft. Some great prices if you book well in advance.