jenny19

I'm flying Continental from Newark to Eluethera connecting in Ft. Lauderdale. My question is how small is the plane from FTL to Eluethera? I'm assuming it's a prop plane but about how many seats? Unfortunately I'm not a fan of small planes! Thank you.

blamona

Not a prop plane, it's a small jet.
I'm not a fan of small planes, but will take a small jet over a prop any day!
It's a short beautiful flight, you'll be looking at the beautiful turqouise ocean on the way, passing other Bahamas islands.

wantsomesun

I don' think they are flying small jets into Eleuthera, I don't think the runway at N. Eleuthera is long enough. I'm guessing the plane is a prop plane that seats about 40 people so it's not that small and the flight is less than an hour, and the ocean is so beautiful you won't really be bothered all that much.

Have a GREAT time.

StanKase

Not to quibble but a prop is most often a prop jet. A plane that carries 40 people is not really a "puddle-jumper". A 737 jet based on it's seat configuration can carry as few as 95-120 passengers.If it is Bahamasair I might be concerned for they used to have a number of older planes. You can check this out with the resort and with the airline to confirm. Of course if you are using a responsible travel agent they can find out for you.

wantsomesun

Bahama Air has or had 1 jet, and if flew from Florida to the Bahamas, but the only airport on Eleuthera with a runway long enough for a jet is Rock Sound and you don't want to fly into that airport, it will be an easy 3 hour cab ride (expensive) from there to N. Eleuthera.

Unless things have changed recently the Continental plane out of Ft. Lauderdale is a prop plane and the flight is fairly comfortable, there is even a flight attendant on the plane.

blamona

By small jet, I meant that the wings are on the bottom of the plane, not on top of the plane like Prop or puddle jumpers. Makes a huge difference! The small jets hold 19 passangers, and are smoother and quieter than prop planes. Prop planes are loud, bumpy and feel "heavy".
Picture of the small jet Continental uses:

http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=329

You're going to be fine, and Harbour Island is soooo worth it! 8-)

jenny19

Thanks all. It's not so much the prop vs. jet thing that bothers me, it's more how confining the plane itself feels. I've flown these types of planes many times before but for some reason the past few times I felt very claustrophobic so I'm a bit nervous. I'll just have to remember to concentrate on the beautiful blue water beneath me! The good news is that we're taking the fast ferry back so I only have to psych myself up one way! Thanks again.

JAGIRL

If you look at this guy's pictures you will see the size plane.It's about the 5th picture in the set.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/travischurch/sets/46774/

BeachGirl247

ditto above. Its a fast flight and doesn't feel as small as some small jets I've been on. But on the flight from FLL to Eleuthra, my head is facing out of the window -- beautiful beautiful views to see. Its so worth it.

Have a great time -- Harbour Island is wonderful.

harmeva

The aircraft is operated by Gulfstream. It is a low wing turboprop and it carries 19 passengers. There are two rows of single seats against the windows. Flight time is one hour, 5 minutes. You'll fly low enough that you can see the boats and islands in the water below. This aircraft is much more comfortable than the vstol aircraft that fly out of St. Maarten's to the neighboring islands. If you get to Governer's Harbor in the evening have dinner at Tippy's, he has these great conch fritters. If you can't find the restaurant ask a local. Just a note, most of the restaurants do not open until 6:00 pm, most stores including gas stations close by 6:00 pm. You will have a great time on Eleuthera. My wife and I are going to Eleuthera in March on Continental.

wantsomesun

If you are going and to Harbour Island, please remember that a day trip over to Eleuthera has to be daylight hours only. All the water taxis go off at sunset, since the harbour between Eleuthera and Harbour Island is very shallow, they can not operate the boats in the evening hours (found that one out the hard way, lol)

BeachGirl247

Jenny, I think this is a pretty pic of what its like inside. I got it off of the Abaco board. Scroll down the pics -- its the last one.

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/s...ead.php?t=5251

mnag

jenny19, just got back from eleuthera. Our flight to Gov harbour was on continental/gulf stream and had 19 passengers aboard. On the way there the flight was fully booked and all our luggage did not make it thru. However the airport personnel were great and delivered the suitcases by late evening the same day so make sure you pack some essential stuff in your handbag. Eleuthera was wonderful try to rent a car and visit the mainland for a day. Sooo many wonderful beaches to explore. We visited HI for a day and it was really nice/quaint. You will have an awesome time.