Best Overall Airlines

[Henz]

Well, I know that this has been beaten to death on the "other board" but this board seems to have the real-Abaconians on it so I will pose the question here. Whats the best airline to take from Florida to Marsh??:rolleyes:

[Luff'em]

Well, I know that this has been beaten to death on the "other board" but this board seems to have the real-Abaconians on it so I will pose the question here. Whats the best airline to take from Florida to Marsh??:rolleyes:

I think Vintage is the best. I am guessing the replies you get will be the same as on the "other board" as you say. At least for a while it would be safe to assume all the members here came from there.

[AbacoKB]

Hands down......Vintage!!!

-KB
199 days to go!!:D

[DrRalph]

Check out Consumer Reviews of Airlines that Fly to Abaco (http://www.drralph.net/AirlineReviews.html).

[sk]

I fly to Abaco from Ft. Lauderdale and have found Yellow Air Taxi to be the safest, most reliable, most courteous of all of the airlines I've flown. I've been flying to Abaco once a month for the past dozen years. Their equipment is well maintained, their staff very competent, their schedules reliable. I love the free parking at the Jet Center just off of Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (which is a zoo!) and I believe there is a shuttle that facilitates the connection when you arrive at the main airport.

Not only that, YAT is very community-minded and do a lot to help the children of Abaco. Beth and her hubby have several adorable children of their own, so their heart goes that way, but Beth always brushes off the free transport of educational supplies with, "It's just the right thing to do." They recently suggested, initiated, planned, and ran a raffle to benefit Every Child Counts, a special education initiative in Abaco that runs solely on donations, in connection with the Abaco Race Week....worked like dogs. I believe the final tally was pretty nearly $7,000! which is very much needed as the funding for the new ECC building was falling a bit short.

I can't see myself flying any other airline to Abaco from Ft. Lauderdale. And, no, I don't own stock in YAT :)

sk

[Abacoparrott]

I've been participating on "the boards", year in year out Vintage seems to come out as the "class" of the "commuter style" airlines to Abaco. That being said, they are also the most expensive. I think the consensus of the best "value" airline.........that is considering both price and service is probably Yellow Air Taxi. My next flight over will probably be with them.

Some folks still prefer flying "all the way" with one carrier such as Continental. People who travel "heavy" would probably be better off with this option since they have less weight restrictions with luggage and the airline moves the luggage from one plane to another for you. Increasingly, since my wife is retired and I am "semi", the option of driving to FLL, visiting some friends and flying over from there, is actually less hassle. Of course a lot of folks don't have the time for this. As with a lot of other things, it's largely a personal decision that depends on your circumstances.....Hell, I wish they'd build a bridge..........ken

[PattyB]

We fly Yellow Air Taxi, too. I love ease of flying out of the Jet Port, and the people at YAT make everyone feel special! But where is the free parking, sk? We pay $5 a day to park.

[DrRalph]

:p OK Sharon, I know it's not in the program, but we're all drooling: how do you manage to fly to Abaco once/month.....for twelve years!!!!

[Island Daze]

Twin Air/Calypso and Yellow Air Taxi for service and price, plus i fly outta Lauderdale.

[Abaco Skippy]

Our personal favorite South Florida airline is Bimini Island Air out of the FTL Executive Airport (FXE). But why would anyone want to fly with them? ;) No one wants the following…

No driving hassles! Drive west on Commercial Blvd just west of I-95 to their hangar with NONE of the main airport’s driving nightmares! And close to TriRail, our commuter train.

Free parking! And if you prefer, park in their fenced in secure area.

Close to a multitude of hotels/motels for an overnight, if required.

Their fleet of well maintained aircraft, including:
Their new Saab 340 twin Turboprop with pressurized cabin, leather seats and a Flight Attendant serving beverages…and fast!
A Metroliner 1900, 19 seater
A Cessna Caravan 208B, a single engine turboprop
A fleet of “Executive” Cessna 402’s
And (though we haven’t flown on one, yet!) a multitude of Executive jets

A courteous staff including very competent and well-trained pilots

Excellent record for on time departures/arrivals

Competitive rates

Periodic rate “specials”

When arriving in MHH, you clear in the “private” and VERY separate “airport” with ice cold A/C, big screen TVs, tile floors, beautiful bathrooms, free coffee and only a handful of other “private charter” fliers (not the throngs of people as in the main MHH airport:eek: )

When departing, NO check in hassles, no security hassles (they are a “private charter”, so NO security check or baggage check in), the pilots show up and say, “let’s go!”

But, as I said, who wants all that??? It used to be our vacation didn’t start till we arrived in either MHH or TCB. With BIA, we can relax when we leave the house! No tension on the drive to the airport…“will we find parking?”, “will there be a traffic jam on I-95?”, “will they be on time?”, “can I take my cigarette lighter:p ?”, “I hope we get the Saab today!”,etc, etc!

I realize many of you with incoming and connecting flights into FLL, BIA is not an option. Although, with a little planning it could be! FXE is only about a 20 minute drive north from FLL. You can make it work!

But if you live in any part of South Florida, BIA is definitely an option! We frequent FLL to pickup/dropoff all the time and avoid it like the plague for our own personal travel. Between the traffic getting in/out and the Gestapo tactics of the Broward Sheriff’s Office while trying to pickup arrivals, it is NO fun. The folks at BIA at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport are the way to go! Give them a try!


http://www.flybia.com/

Having said all that, our second option is Twin Air/Calypso. They do fly out of FLL, but on the north side from their own private facility. Again, free parking and very little hassle. Good pilots and competitive rates. A very good operation.

Happy flying!

[MrBill]

Hi Skippy, can you tell me how BIA clears customs on the return to USA?

I thought they had to land at FLL clear then fly to executive. is there a customs office at executive?

ps: dark blue text on light blue is kinda hard to read...

thanks!


ps: didn't twin air loose (ditch) 2 plane in last 4 years?

[ModeratorTwo]

I don't understand why you are seeing dark blue text on light blue background unless it is in your settings. I am seeing a very pleasant medium blue on a white background..

[Abaco Skippy]

Thanks Mr. Bill! I almost forgot the other advantage of flying with BIA. Clearing upon arrival in the USA. Yes, there is a Customs/Immigration facility at FXE...and it's a breeze! Very little traffic, in and out in no time. As long as there are no more than 20 pax on the plane, you can clear at FXE. Only once did we have to clear at FLL and that was because some adults had two "lap kids" on board that BIA was not informed of until they arrived at the airport in MHH. That took us to 21 pax. The pilots tried continuosly during the flight to talk the C/I people at FXE to make an exception...but it was late in the day and they would not allow it. So we landed at FLL, cleared, some folks left from there and the rest of us got back on the plane for the 5 minute, low altitude flight to FXE.
Gotta love BIA and FXE!

[MrBill]

Well then thats pretty good, BIA should be on the short list for FLL/MIA bound travelers.

and IMHO, FXE beats FLL and FLL beats MIA in time, convienence, and least hassles. (customs is the longest for MIA)

-on the colors, I see a light blue background on the text areas, and a 'teal' on the borders... when I get chance I'll use photoshop to get the #nnnnn (color numbers).

I'm using IE ver 6.0, win2000. (is it just me?)

fwiw, my experience with smaller airlines, especially in summer is to book the early flight(s), often in summer (with storms), the later flights can get cancelled due to weather.... mainly on the MHH to USA... flights get pushed back later and later, so the 2pm flight is now the 4pm flight, and the 5pm flight is cancelled, or not run due to afternoon storms...

I don't think anyone flys after dark... into MHH.

Anyone fly Bahamas Air lately? still unreliable???

[South Pause]

We use Twin Air for all those reasons.

[sk]

We fly Yellow Air Taxi, too. I love ease of flying out of the Jet Port, and the people at YAT make everyone feel special! But where is the free parking, sk? We pay $5 a day to park.

I was shocked when I flew over to ECC's first graduation. I expected the five bucks a day parking and to my shock -- nothing. I asked and was assured it was free, that I wouldn't be towed. I don't know why, no one seemed to know. I don't look a gift horse in the mouth....my car was there, unmolested, when I got back. No one accosted me for parking, soooo...hey! YAT is DEFINITELY my choice with no parking fee! :D
sk

[sk]

:p OK Sharon, I know it's not in the program, but we're all drooling: how do you manage to fly to Abaco once/month.....for twelve years!!!!

That's how long we've been building Every Child Counts...can you believe it? I donated my time to help build curriculum, train the teachers, test the kids, coordinate stateside services/materials. I guess I lied, though, 'cause it's not every month -- only one month in the summer for sweaty Workdays when we were renovating the Convent.

I guess it doesn't count to say I 'travel to Abaco,' though. Was never a vacation. In all those years I went to a beach twice -- once on a perfectly hilarious field trip with the special education kids to Little Harbour. Do you know people are equal in the water. The special ed kids at ECC lose all anxiety, have free motion, are more their true selves in the water -- great equalizer -- go figure. Mostly I was in schools, training -- stayed with various teachers and after we renovated the Convent stayed there -- slept on a cot. That was kinda cool -- I always wanted to sleep overnight in a school. As a kid I imagined strange things went on there at night...books come alive and such like. Still don't know....fell asleep soon's my head hit the pillow 'cept on the nights when we had skeeters -- not true that there's a bug line -- skeeters find me anywhere. Won't need to go much any more, though, b/c they've got a right classy establishment goin' for them. Do lotsa good for a lot of "throwaway kids." Lyn and her motley band of teachers have surely created a miracle, for sure, for sure.

So it's true I've sampled all the airlines ('cept BIA -- didn't know about it). I always took the cheapest and had some pretty harrowing stories to tell b/c of it! =) That's why I now appreciate Yellow Air Taxi....their updated equipment and class act courtesy is a real treat.

sk

[patw]

Sharon, I found this old picture. Bring back memories???

[sk]

It sure does, Pat! You got the Convent conversion just after they striped the building and added the "front porch". Getting permission to convert that old convent took 8 years. Until then, we operated out of a dank, dark one-room library, then a parent converted a rotted "trailer" in which we held TWO special education classes! Nirvana was a classroom of our own at St. Francis when they added another wing...but, again, it was K-12 in one normal classroom.

Then we got permission (and generous funding from Ira Sockett, ECC's benefactor) to convert the Convent. What should have taken about $30,000 to do ended up being so much more b/c -- I'm so ashamed to say this -- American teachers who lived there basically trashed it. They had to fill in the cess pit b/c the plumbing wasn't working....the upstairs bathroom still doesn't work....when you take a shower it's a shower all right ... rains down on the kitchen =) I can't figure how you come to work for such a program as ECC and not do all you can to make it better, to fix things, paint, hang curtains, repair screens. So for over 8 years, it basically had no repair and lotsa hard, hard wear. I remember staying there early years. The upstairs was divided into tiny rooms -- cells almost -- with a length of wood on legs that was the bed with a 1" mattress. I could never be a nun. One month I brought over a dear friend to do training and we stayed in one of these rooms and nearly froze to death -- yes, Virginia, it gets cold in Abaco. And the teacher staying there refused to heat the water, offered no blankets! Geeeze. And said I was "picky."
And now, five years later we are in the middle of building another building, I think as large as the old Convent. It just shows to go you how much a determined, commited, true believer that Every Child Counts like Mrs. Evelyn Major can achieve. Amazing journey. Life changing.
Thank you for this picture, Pat. I will pull it off and send it to Lyn. I know it will bring a chuckle....well, maybe not now with school starting and the construction not yet done, but maybe in a month or so. :D
And thank you for your constant and consistent support. I know a part of you relates to ECC because of your grandson, Austin (right?), but you also came packaged with a good heart, too. :)

Sharon

[JJ]

We had our first disappointing experience with Vintage. I hate to judge them on one bad experience, especially when our other flights with them (flew roundtrip twice before) were picture perfect, but this one really made me angry, especially when there was nary an apology or explanation. First I would like to preface that we fly Vintage primarily for the huge convenience factor. We live only 45 minutes from Daytona International Airport (we live north of Orlando), parking is a breeze, customs is a breeze, parking rates are low, and it is a non-stop flight, although there may be a touchdown in Marsh Harbor or Treasure to pick up or unload passengers. The cost is about $100 more than we would pay leaving out of West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale, so there is a pretty big price tag for this convenience considering we were a party of 6.

Our return flight was to depart Treasure Cay at 4 pm on Sunday. At about 3:30 they made an announcement that all passengers for flight # so and so (not our flight number) going to Marsh Harbor, Melbourne, and Daytona would begin boarding. I ignored the announcement because it wasn't our flight number and we were direct to Daytona. But then a ticket agent came up to us and told us we should be boarding our plane, that there had been a change in flight plans, no reason or explanation given. The co-pilot told us since we were leaving a few minutes earlier we should still arrive at our destination on time (I knew this was not possible with a stop in Melbourne!). So we boarded a plane that seats about 19 (larger than the usual 9-seater we have taken previously with Vintage). The plane was full except for about three seats. We stopped in Marsh Harbor to pick up the other 3 passengers and they had us disembark the plane (a good thing because the AC wasn't working on the plane and it was boiling hot) and we had to wait about 20 minutes standing in the Marsh Harbor terminal building. We reboarded. The air conditioner continued to blow hot air. We arrived in Melbourne about the time we should have been landing in Daytona. They made us get off the plane again and clear customs in Melbourne. They made this sound as though it were a convenience -- to clear customs in Melbourne instead of Daytona -- but it required our party of 6 to schlep our 10 checked bags plus carry-ons an additional time. Our party of 6 plus three others (the 9 for our original direct flight) continued on to Daytona, arriving over an hour after our schedule arrival time.

I know these things happen, but it just really irks me that they did this to obviously save money at our expense! It is up in the air whether we will fly them again. I sent an e-mail to them about our disappointing experience and I got a receipt that they opened it yesterday, but they have not yet had the courtesy to respond with even an apology. I was a huge Vintage fan but am truly disappointed in them now.

Has anyone else had this happen with Vintage? I would really like to know if this was a one time thing or something that happens regularly.

[Henz]

****, I was planning on Flying Vintage, but I dont know if they fly out of Ft. lauderdale??

[Patti Puzo]

****, I was planning on Flying Vintage, but I dont know if they fly out of Ft. lauderdale??

We have used both Yellow Air and Vintage and both are better than the rest of what is out there to choose from.
Sitting in front of the ticket counters at FLL last month, (which are all in a row), we saw some crazy events taking place. Customers for other little carriers arriving in a panic, no representatives at counters available to help, mis-communications, and the BIGGEST problem seemed to be people who had booked the Florida to Abaco leg through an internet travel site (like Cheaptickets or Orbitz, etc). When and if one of the other carriers reps showed up, they just shrugged and told them they did not communicate with the internet sites, and you would have had to talk to their rep directly to insure a seat. They suggested trying to get their money back from the internet site. I felt so bad for these travelers.

That being said, YAT and Vintage have unique procedures when something out of the norm comes up. Their flexibility and customer service is so much better than the other available carriers.

After flying all night what seems to work the best for us is flying over on YAT from FLL, since they have the earliest flight (7:40am), and flying Vintage back over from Marsh Harbour.
Patti P.

[Henz]

Last time we went Sunshine..I think they are out of Business and thank god! Anyways, out of FLL, cant you just book straight through like one of the major airlines?? American eagle or whatever??

[Happy Hour]

My vote goes to Vintage. I've used them on about half a dozen round trips. Nice people and fairly reliable. As far as i know they fly only turbo props while YAT flies piston equipment. We use Park 'n Fly off airport parking. Its about $7.00 per day and they have a pretty good shuttle system. We have also done a few charters. They are more convenient but you really can't beat VPJ.

[tlsea]

We fly Vintage a lot. Every once and awhile something screwy will happen to the schedule but it doesn’t happen very often. If that helps them stay in business I am all for it. I am sure that a lot goes on behind the scenes that we never see.

[JJ]

Vintage is by far not the least expensive. I feel I am paying extra for the convenience of their flights. Losing that convenience gives me much less of an incentive to pay premium with them in the future.

[caywannabay2]

We have flown Yellow for the past two years and have no complaints. They jumped thru hoops for us to get us on a flight when another airline went out of business.

[SamFamAustin]

I fly whatever works at best price. It is amazing, I can book a flight on Southwest from South Texas-HRL to Fort Lauderdale-FLL for $193, a distance of maybe a thousand miles.

So I'm kinda of a "captive" traveler because I'll be dumped at FLL and have to find a puddle-jumper. Yellow Air is $129 one-way to Marsh Harbor from there at about 120 miles. All the regional air carriers from Florida to the Bahamas are exorbitant as heck.

Sure beats paddling a surfboard, I guess! :D
-sammie

[BahamaAngie]

We use Continental all the way. That is NOT to say there have not been problems, there usually is always one. Plus this got deleted from the other Board but the fellow that represents Continental in TC airport is rude and very unhelpful and I am not the only one that experienced this. But I like the convenience of checking our bags and not picking them up till TC and if there is a problem they have always rectified it. In FLL Continental has been very accomodating, in TC it was another but disturbing story. I want both convenience and price.

[tmccaffery]

I am usually a captive of American Airlines since flying to Florida from where we live usually involves either flying halfway across the country just to fly back or costs more than American, and usually both! That said, I have not had any problems w/ American and especially American Eagle from Miami. The biggest convenience is not having to deal with the baggage, - heavy or light, once the trip starts. And even if something does get lost en-route we just make sure we have a change of clothes in our carry on and roll with the punches.

My bottom line is that the best airline is the one that gets you to/from Abaco without having to swim part of the way. After that, airplane seats are pretty much all the same and that is what you are paying for. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Watercolours]

We have guests arriving and departing on all the different airlines for our sailing and cottage buisnesses here in Abaco every week. We dont see any company that is now operating that has more or less problems than the next one. All of them have to leave baggage back some times, all of them have weather delays some times, all of them have schedule changes some times and all of them have mechanical things that come up that delay flights sometime. For the most part our guests get here with all there luggage, on time with no incedents from all of the airlines. Just book a flight and come over. You can make this a big job or "Just do it" and enjoy the experience.
Mark

[BahamaAngie]

I agree. The main thing is safety! Want to arrive there safely. I wonder when we will be able to fly directly from the states into Abaco like you can fly directly into Nassau. I guess the airports will need to be upgraded.

[JJ]

BahamaAngie, you can fly directly from one state into Abaco!

[BahamaAngie]

Yea, Florida! But is not what I mean, I mean from up here in the NE and a jet all the way! I think we would get better deals. Like you can fly from Newark to Nassau for under $300 during the week. (rt) but I guess it would open the outislands up too much.

[JJ]

I know that would really help the economy, but I kind of like it how it is now. But I am in Florida and can take advantage of a direct flight. Can you take advantage of low fares to Nassau then get a connection to the Abacos?

[JJ]

I received a nice e-mail today from Vintage. It sort of explains things. Sounds like they may have had some delivery problems with plane parts and had to consolidate flights due to lack of equipment but they also mentioned sometimes combining flights to save money, so not clear which it was in our case. Telling people what is going on works wonders. We did not know we were switched to another flight until that flight was announced and they told us to board the plane. I am sure they knew they were short on equipment when we went to the Vintage check-in counter an hour earlier but no one bothered to inform us.

That said I have been checking out prices. I can fly from Orlando with change of planes/layovers in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for the same price as Vintage in Daytona, so if those were the only two choices, I would stick with Vintage. However, if going direct from West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale, I can save at least $100 per person (for our whole family of 5, that is probably worth the 4 to 5 hour drive to get down there). It will be a year or more before we are able to return, and we will reweigh all the options again then. $500 less to fly means more $$$ to spend when we get there, maybe stay a few days longer!

[BahamaAngie]

I agree JJ every $$ you can save can be a longer stay. Or a boat rental or something fun. It still gets spent down there. The only direct flight from up here was either with Spirit (which I don't know if they still do) or Continental into Nassau and than we took Bahama Air which had a return delay like Continental has had otherwise it was a good flight, larger plane about 51 passengers and has a good safety record. Only downside was having to p/u luggage in Nassau and recheck. Doing customs in Nassau from TC was easier than doing it in the states. Has pros and cons. Again price is an issue to me plus I do prefer a larger plane. The little ones scare the heck out of me!

[Henz]

I was reading Dr.R's link about airlines. many posts say that American A only flies to Marsh from Miami..I thought for sure they go from Daytona and Fort lauderdale now??

[BahamaAngie]

I've heard that Vintage is very popular. Never tried them. I liked the idea of one airline but Continental is always messing up. Whether it be a delayed flight, lost luggage or something. I don't think there has ever been a time we have NOT had a problem. But I think getting to Abaco is more difficult and there are more problems than elsewhere.

[Myra]

We will be on Vintage tomorrow. JJ, I agree those unexpected stops aren't wonderful. However, all in all Vintage is just superior. We just wish they would fly out of jax again.

[DrRalph]

I was reading Dr.R's link about airlines. many posts say that American A only flies to Marsh from Miami..I thought for sure they go from Daytona and Fort lauderdale now??

Nothing out of Daytona except VPJ.

[troutfly]

Any new updates on airlines for a newbie?

[gazeboman]

Any new updates on airlines for a newbie?

Vintage is gone of course, but YAT is still the best. Just came over with them this AM- Flight was on time-made the 10:30 ferry to guana and we are unpacking & heading to nipper soon!!! pictures will follow:)

btw-over 10 trips with them and not one late flight-some close calls with weather though!

[troutfly]

It sure seems like YT gets alot of good responses but it looks like they do not fly into or out of TCB on Saturdays...I really wish they would.

[Myra]

We like Craig Air and Airgate

[TJLong]

Airgate and Bimini Air.... both very accomodating!

[troutfly]

Is Airgate still in business? I have tried to phone them and it disconnects me and the email bounces back.

[Beth at Yellow Air Taxi]

We have flights into/ out of Treasure Cay on Saturdays - please call our office at 954-321-0292 for information

Thank you for all of the recommendations!!

Beth

[Bimini Island Air]

Is Airgate still in business? I have tried to phone them and it disconnects me and the email bounces back.


I am pretty sure they are still in business. We just opened our ticket counter in Marsh Harbour and we share it with them. Im not sure as to how many times they fly, but I know they had an agent there yesterday when I was setting up our stuff.