Airline connections in San Juan??
 

How have you flown to BVI? Connected to a flight in San Juan? Did you have an awful time or easy connection and lastly, who did you fly? Thank You.

There's been a lot of discussion about this on the www.traveltalk.com board. Mostly about American Eagle but other airlines also. There has also been some discussion, not much, on www.where2stay.com (I think that's correct). Also, you can get on Americans website - www.americanair.com - and get a map of the San Juan airport. You have to surf around a little but you'll find it. Look under American Eagle destinations. I have faxed AA about the comments on traveltalk and have asked them to respond. If I hear anything I will post it on the traveltalk board. I am going to Tortola in May and want to avoid any hassles. E-mail me if you have any other questions.

I've connected in San Juan many times on AA, continuing on to Barbados. Going there isn't too bad - the connecting gate is usually close by, but coming home can be a nightmare if there are a lot of other flights at the same time. When you are in a non-US country and connect through San Juan, that's your first point of entry into the US, so that's where you have to go through customs & immigration. Which means taking all your carry-0n, claiming your luggage and waiting on what can be very long lines. It's a zoo. Then you have to recheck your bags and go all the back to your gate.

Connecting in San Juan has been tight for us at times but have only had problems going thru to St. Thomas not Tortola. Usually arriving flights come in on one end and the Eagle is at the other side of the hub. aa.com web lists gates and has a map. There are many flights to Tortola and since it is open seating (although they do give you a seat assignment), if you miss, they just put you on the next one. But get to the gate as soon as you can! Flights to Tortola (gate 14---but they announce it on the arriving flight) close 10 minutes before take-off as you take a little bus to the plane. Coming back, flights at Beef Island close 30 minutes before take off (plan accordingly). With the new immigration and customs facility, it is quite speedy in San Juan now and it is set up so there is a minimum of hassle---fill out the customs card on the Eagle and have your receipts ready if they ask (they won't usually.) The lines do go quickly and there are carts available for your luggage. Coming thru Miami was a real side show and I won't do that again unless I have no other choice!

If you are really worried about SJU, fly directly to St.Thomas and take a small plane to Beef Is from there. We did it that way and it was a piece of cake.