Curacao to Bonaire on BonairExel

Anyone have experience on BonairExel Air . They fly curacao to bonaire?
what about DiviDivi air?
We are planning our November trip to Bonaire and was checking into
possible connecting flights.
Anyone, Anyone(-:)

Fred

<biersf@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:3NBRb.20604$w41.10336697@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Anyone have experience on BonairExel Air . They fly curacao to bonaire?
> what about DiviDivi air?
> We are planning our November trip to Bonaire and was checking into
> possible connecting flights.
> Anyone, Anyone(-:)
>
> Fred
>

I took BonairExcel from Curacao to Bonaire on Jan 5, '04, and back on Jan.
15.

Their planes were large, comfortable, well maintained and most of all, on
time. Cost: $78 US round trip.

The only problem was that they were to have had my ticket ready for me when
I landed from Miami on American. (Jack Chalk had purchased it and added it
to my tab at Capt. Don's as a favor). They had the confirmed reservations,
but no paper ticket when I arrive, so I had to purchase another ticket on
the spot and get credited from Capt. Don's, which was done with no problem.
They have a neat record locator on the web once you book your flight so that
you can keep apprized of any changes.

Divi Divi and Dutch Caribbean also had connecting flights that on paper had
slightly better connect times. Jack and everyone else on the island said
steer clear and take BonairExel because they had the best on time record.
They were right - both flights on the dot while I saw people hanging around
from Divi Divi past the time I left even though they were scheduled to leave
before me.

I hope they last.


--
But then again, what do I know?

Lou Vallone

LouVallone@aol.com

http://members.aol.com/LouVallone

Thanks for the reply. I didn't want to use american thru san juan, alot
of problems with luggage ???
actually elasped time from ny is shorter via curacao . i think i'll go
for it , via bonairexel.

thanks again.

Fred

Lou Vallone wrote:

><biersf@optonline.net> wrote in message
>news:3NBRb.20604$w41.10336697@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv .net...
>
>
>>Anyone have experience on BonairExel Air . They fly curacao to bonaire?
>>what about DiviDivi air?
>>We are planning our November trip to Bonaire and was checking into
>>possible connecting flights.
>>Anyone, Anyone(-:)
>>
>>Fred
>>
>>
>>
>
>I took BonairExcel from Curacao to Bonaire on Jan 5, '04, and back on Jan.
>15.
>
>Their planes were large, comfortable, well maintained and most of all, on
>time. Cost: $78 US round trip.
>
>The only problem was that they were to have had my ticket ready for me when
>I landed from Miami on American. (Jack Chalk had purchased it and added it
>to my tab at Capt. Don's as a favor). They had the confirmed reservations,
>but no paper ticket when I arrive, so I had to purchase another ticket on
>the spot and get credited from Capt. Don's, which was done with no problem.
>They have a neat record locator on the web once you book your flight so that
>you can keep apprized of any changes.
>
>Divi Divi and Dutch Caribbean also had connecting flights that on paper had
>slightly better connect times. Jack and everyone else on the island said
>steer clear and take BonairExel because they had the best on time record.
>They were right - both flights on the dot while I saw people hanging around
>from Divi Divi past the time I left even though they were scheduled to leave
>before me.
>
>I hope they last.
>
>
>
>

<biersf@optonline.net> wrote in message news:KTPRb.3730$6J6.1391426@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
Thanks for the reply. I didn't want to use american thru san juan, alot of problems with luggage ???
actually elasped time from ny is shorter via curacao . i think i'll go for it , via bonairexel.


The American connection had me landing in Bonaire after 10 PM. The BonairExcel got me in at 5:45 PM (actually, 15 minutes ahead of schedule). That makes a huge difference on the first day getting registered, unpacked, etc.

The American connection had me leaving at 7 AM on the last day. BonaireExcel left at 10 AM. Again, an appreciable difference in terms of diving the last day, drying gear, getting to the airport, etc. As I said, Divi Divi and DCA had some better connections on their flight schedule (and were listed at a few dollars cheaper) but their on time record is poor compared to BonaieExcel

BTW, BonairExcel is trying for some direct flights from Miami to Bonaire. They have the planes and crew to handle it, but not the gates or routes OK'ed as yet. By the time you go in the fall, they will be 1 year old (I hope!) and you may be able to make better connections with them.

If you are staying at Capt. Don's, give Jack Chalk the manager my best.



--
But then again, what do I know?

Lou Vallone

LouVallone@aol.com

http://members.aol.com/LouVallone