Caribbean Air Travel

Increased airline service and new airports make the Caribbean accessible

Fly Off Into the Sunset
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A highly popular way to reach the Caribbean, presumably because of the speed and convenience, is via airplane. Although it's usually best to book your ticket in advance, if your travel plans are flexible, you can seek out last-minute bargains.

Another money-saving option is to pick off-peak flight times. For example, flights departing mid-week or in the fall, spring, and summer months are often cheaper than flights on the weekends or in the winter months. A Saturday stay-over or departure from an alternate airport can also diminish the price of your ticket. Specially priced plane tickets are typically nonrefundable. Also, you'll likely incur a fee if you later alter the date or time of your travel.

Most flights from the United States are nonstop to the Caribbean, and direct flights typically connect in San Juan or St. Thomas. Many Caribbean airports are small, so arriving passengers cannot typically deplane directly to the terminal. Few airports provide shuttle service, so expect a long walk on the tarmac to the terminal to claim your luggage. If you have a physical ailment preventing you from walking, be sure to arrange an alternate form of transportation with one of the airline attendants prior to arriving in the Caribbean.

Airlines

Once you're in the Caribbean, you can island hop by way of one of the many small Caribbean airlines. To get there, though, you'll want to rely on one of these airline companies, all of which have regularly scheduled flights to the Caribbean from hubs as indicated:

Airlines servicing the Caribbean from the United States:

Airlines servicing the Caribbean from Canada and Europe:
Airline Telephone Number
Air Jamaica 800-523-5585
American Airlines 800-433-7300
Bahamasair 800-222-4262
Cayman Airways 800-GCAYMAN (800-422-9626)
345-949-2311
Continental 800-231-0856
Delta Air Lines 800-241-4141
Frontier
JetBlue
800-432-1FLY (800-432-1359)
800-JET-BLUE
Lynx Air 888-LYNX-AIR (888-596-9247)
Mexicana 800-531-7921
North American Airlines 800-967-3510
United 800-538-2929
U.S. Airways
USA 3000
800-622-1015
877-USA-3000
Airlines servicing the Caribbean from Central and South America:
Airline Telephone Number
Air Canada888-247-2262
Air France 800-237-2747
Air Jamaica 800-523-5585
British Airways 800-247-9297
Condor 866-960-7915
Iberia 800-772-4642
K.L.M. Royal Dutch Airlines 866-434-0320
LACSA 800-225-2272
Lufthansa 800-645-3880
Martinair
WestJet
800-MARTINAIR
888-WES-TJET
Virgin Atlantic U.K.: 0844-874-7747
U.S.: 800-821-5438
Airlines offering connections between major flights and local Caribbean service:
Airlines Telephone Number
Aviacsa 866-246-0961
Isleña Airways 504-522-9910
La Costeña 011-505-263-2142, ext 2203
Maya Island Air Belize: 011-501-223-1140
U.S.: 800-225-6732
Mexicana 800-531-7921
Roraima Airways592-225-9648
Sol Air 866-4-SOLAIR (866-476-5247)
Surinam Airways 597-465700
Trans Guyana Airways 592-222-2525
If you're unfamiliar with an airline's reputation, consult the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA ranks carriers based on safety, service and performance. Contact the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW; Washington D.C., 20591 or via the internet at www.faa.gov. You can also phone the FAA regarding specific issues:
Airline Telephone Number
Air Charter Bahamas866-FLY-ISLANDS (866-359-4752)
305-885-6665
Air Culebra, Inc. 787-427-4808
Air Jamaica 800-523-5585
Air Caraibes 590-82-4780

Air Sunshine

800-327-8900
Air Turks and Caicos
American Eagle
694-946-4999
800-433-7300
Bahamasair Nassau: 242-377-5505
U.S.: 800-222-4262
The Family Islands: 242-300-UFLY (242-300-8359)

Cape Air

800-352-0714
Carib Aviation Ltd. 800-744-2323
Caribbean Wings-BVI Airlines 284-495-6000
Cayman Airways U.S.: 800-GCAYMAN (800-422-9626)
Outside the U.S.: 345-949-2311
Cubana 537-834-4446
Fly BVI
Fly Montserrat
284-495-1747
664-491-3434
Island Birds 284-495-2002
US Toll Free: 877-515-5066
Leeward Island Air Transportation (LIAT) In the Caribbean: 888-844-5428
Outside the Caribbean: 868-624-4727
Mustique Airways St. Vincent: 784-458-4380
U.S.: 800-526-4789
Seaborne Airlines 340-773-6442
888-FLY-TOUR (888-359-8687)
Sky King 649-941-3136
SVG Air 784-457-5124
Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) 809-448-2181
Windward Express Airways 599-548-3085

Airport Security

Due to increased terrorist activity in recent years, airports have enhanced security measures, especially in the U.S. In addition to regular baggage screening procedures, airports now have additional required security checks. New checkpoints screen both carry-on luggage and passengers.  Added security officers are stationed at these checkpoints to personally search travelers who trigger the detector alarm as they pass through.

Many airports also conduct random passenger inspections at which point security personnel conduct a complete search of the person and all of all their belongings. Because of these added security stops, you should plan on arriving at the airport one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours for international flights so you have ample time to pass through all of the security clearance points.

To reduce waiting time and ensure you reach your gate in a timely manner, heed these airport standards and advisements:

  • Do not wear metal objects such as steel-toed boots, heavy jewelry or bulky belt buckles as these items could set off the checkpoint detectors.

  • If you have any metal surgical implants, bring a note from your doctor to avoid a long meeting with an airport official.

  • Bring and keep handy your government-issued passport--this is required for security clearance.

  • Remember that you will only be allowed to pass through security with a ticket for travel (non-ticketed persons can only pass through if accompanying a child, elderly or disabled person). An official confirmation page for an e-ticket will suffice. Make sure you have your ticket or e-ticket confirmation page, and your ID before you get to the airport.

  • Confirm your flight before heading to the airport.

Carry-On Luggage

Airports and airlines have implemented new regulations for carry-on luggage in recent years. Certain items, such as metal scissors and razors, are not permitted on flights. For a complete list of regulated items, visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp or call 1-866-289-9673 in the U.S. Other carry-on rules are as follows:

  • The carry-on limit per passenger is one carry-on bag plus one private item such as a briefcase, laptop case or purse.

  • Food and beverages must be purchased after passengers have gone through the security check-points.  Do not pack these items in your carry-on luggage and try to go through security - they will be thrown out because they pose a security risk.

  • Do not take any wrapped presents with you. If the package sets off a detector, security officials will be forced to unwrap, and possibly damage, the present.

Caribbean travelers will find airlines one of the most convenient ways to reach the islands. With consistent schedules and plenty of flight options it's easy to see why this is the most popular way to arrive.

Regulator Telephone Number
Air Travel Service Problems 202-366-2220
Aviation Safety Hotline 800-255-1111
Aviation Consumer Protection Division 202-366-2220
Questions about FAA-monitored consumer issues

866-TELL-FAA (835-5322)

Transportation Security and Baggage Screeners Concerns 866-289-9673