TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Antigua to Beef Island

Has anyone flown a direct flight from Antigua to EIS? It is listed as Air Heli Monaco, but the plane is a Beechcraft. I am looking at coming over tomorrow so any help would be great. Thanks!

This is most likely BVI Airlink. I had been trying to get booked on that to no avail. Supposed to be laid on to accommodate passengers from Europe and to tie in with flights to/from Antigua. Congratulations on achieving this end. PLEASE let me know how it works out (and how you managed to book it! Consolidators could not find it and neither could I).

You might not be finding it because it's called VI Airlink. It's best to call them directly.

Someone posted a recent experience about booking online thru a consolidator and the fare was more then double what VI Airlink actually charges.

Cheers,
Jason

I had contacted VI Airlink directly. They told me to use a certain consolidator! Nothing on their site whatsoever. Speaking directly to other consolidators was useless too. Too late now as eventually had to book with LIAT.

It worked on Orbitz!

I will check back in on how BVI Airlink works. Fingers crossed.

LIAT is 2 stops and an all day deal. Hoping to see my family for a couple of days while they are sailing.

LIAT=left in airport terminal

LIAT--Luggage in any terminal,
Leaving in any timezone, etc., etc.! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I could write a book about LIAT. Nothing anyone can tell me that's new. I always laugh when the stewardess says "thank you for choosing to fly with LIAT, THE Caribbean airline" . Not my 'choice', just no viable option.

Just looked at Orbitz, which is an American site. Difficult if you don't have a US banking account. Gone through the first twenty or more flight suggestions, on days I know VI Airlink is supposed to fly:not showing. Prices then got ridiculous so I stopped looking any further. Also even the cheapest flight combinations which fly from London Heathrow to Paris, then onwards via St Martin, are far, far more expensive than flying BA or Virgin to Antigua then onwards to BVI. VI Airlink really need to look at their strategy, although I have a strong feeling that maybe they work with The Moorings, and that is where their main customer base lies. If that is the case, given the plane size, they most likely do not need to look at the general public for custom. Frustrating.

So, VI Airlink was a great experience. Just not quite that simple to use yet.

My Journey:

When I called the driver in Antigua to pick me up for the airport, he asked which airline. I told him. He had never heard of it. Slightly concerned, I got on line, found the webpage and called one of the after-hours numbers. "Captain Neville Junior here, how may I help?"

It was the pilot. He assured me he was en-route to Antigua later that day.

I left the house in Antigua around 3. Got to the airport by 4. There was no clear counter for VI Airlink, but I found one that worked with the charters and some other misfits. All checked in with a hand written card for boarding.

Once inside, there was no indication of where this flight may be departing from. I ran into a few people who had just come in on BA from Gatwick, and were also looking for Airlink. I told them the pilot had assured me he was coming.

There was one announcement for boarding, and 8 of us scrambled into the gate area. Past all of the LIAT planes we found this fine aircraft waiting for us.


Captain Neville Jr. greeted me, and introduced his brother, Norville. They were indeed our pilots.

Flight was perfect. We got to Beef Island, and the couple I had befriended gave me a lift to Biras Creek on their ferry. My brother came over from Bitter End to pick me up, and all was fine.

Today, I got this from Orbitz:
Dear Orbitz traveler,
We regret to inform you that, due to limited availability, the airline was not able to confirm the flights you requested. As a result, no tickets have been issued for this trip and we have reversed any credit card charges.

I will try and pay up at the airport when I leave tonight.

By the way, North Sound was packed last night, but oddly quiet. Heaps of superyachts at YCCS, Bitter End and on anchor, Loads of bare boats at Prickly Pear, but Saba was quiet, and the Bitter End party seemed like a bunch of stiffs (Save for one local couple I saw getting on the ferry back to Leverick late night) I suppose everyone was at Leverick?

Fireworks show was great.

Wind is still howling down here, and did it rain this morning!

Think I'm glad not to have booked them. After the long haul flight from UK and four or five hours time difference, plus having been driving most of previous day to the airport, I can do without hassle at Antigua.
Hope you have a lovely time on BVI and safe flight home.

It was a wonderful 24 hours in the BVIs. I would recommend VI Airlink, just be aware that you are a bit on your own. As mentioned, the pilots' cell numbers are on their website so it is legit.