hazardnc

We are trying to get from Charlotte, NC to Abaco. The best rates are on USAir to Nassau, the Bahama Air to Abaco. But the owner of the house I am renting said Bahama Air is unreliable, and we are better off flying to Miami, then taking a major carrier to Abaco.

Anyone out there have experience with Bahama Air?

ishkribbl

I have flown Bahamasair several times and the best word I can think of is "inconsistent". I have had good experiences then I have had them cancel a route (to Stella Maris from Ft. Lauderdale) the day before we were scheduled to travel with no notice. Where are you going in Abaco- MHH or TCB? I have had homeowners and inns in the Abacos warn me away from Bahamasair, too, but sometimes I took a chance. Frankly, I would go directly to Abaco through West Palm, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami on a US carrier rather than going through Nassau (can be a major pain of an airport and customs)unless it was my only choice. Customs in those little concrete block airports in the Abacos is fast and painless compared with the lines in Nassau. I guess it all depends on the number of travellers and the dollar diffence in the routes but I would pay a good bit extra per person to go straight to Abaco and avoid Nassau. It is worth it. If you haven't been before, you will love it.

Callaloo

My "experience" with Bahamasair mirrors ishkribbl's -- basically, avoiding them because of their reputation for indifference to published schedules and lack of customer service.

You have lots of options for getting to Abaco -- AA via Miami, Continental/Gulfstream and USAirways via FLL, etc. The last time we went, we flew to FLL via commercial carrier, and then took a commuter flight (Twin Air) from there. Aside from the slight inconvenience of having to take a taxi to the commuter/executive jet center, this is the most convenient way to go, especially since the jet center has its own dedicated customs/immigration station.

For more information on commuter flights, check out the message board at www.coconuttelegraph.net and www.abacoforum.com.

markrosy

Callaloo

we also have to get from Nassua to Abaco return in June - do you anything about AbacoAir or any other operator serving this route.

ps my primary hate in life is companies who don't live up to basic promises and poor customer services.

hazardnc

The penny pincher in me was hoping to save some money on tickets - if we use USAir and Bahama Air, we can save nearly $200 a ticket. But, I experienced a similar problem a few years ago trying to get from Providencialis to Salt Cay in the T&C Islands - TC Airways cancelled our flight, and we had to sit around in the airport for 3 hours until enough locals showed up wanted to get to Salt Cay for them to decide to find a pilot. Not to mention that the plain was some heap of tin from communist Russia!

Thanks for the info - I will stick with a US carrier

Callaloo

markrosy,

I would suggest you check out the forums I listed above -- someone has probably taken Abaco Air from Nassau. Or at least has experience with Abaco Air on some of their other routes.

I will warn you that you have to weigh BahamasAir's infamous lack of customer service against the sort of experience hazardnc had with TC Airways in the Turks & Caicos (which is what you might get with a small commuter airline out of Nassau). It's all very casual down in de islands, and while this can be refreshingly efficient and pleasant, it can also be messy. The best way to ensure flight service is to charter the entire plane (which may be surprisingly affordable -- this is what I'm doing myself later this year to get from Exuma to Long Island).

One other thought: I ALWAYS get trip delay/trip interruption insurance when I'm doing "non-standard" trips. That way, if something goes awry, I may miss some vacation time, but I won't miss vacation money.