Kath

If you were flying to STT out of DFW, would you prefer to change planes in Miami or San Juan? A friend here at the office is asking and my gut feeling is to avoid the Miami airport at all costs, but I've never been through San Juan so I thought I'd ask the experts!

joan

I agree with your friend. SJU has the slight edge, although you have to usually travel in buses to and from your plane. I figure you're that much closer to your destination! And wouldn't you rather be stranded (if it ever came to that) in Puerto Rico than Miami? I would!

A_Traveller

I've made connections to the Caribbean in both airports without any problems. Which is better depends on circumstances and you cannot make any blanket assumptions.

Will you be on the same airline or are you switching carriers? What type of equipment is used on the flight between MIA and STT? Also, is your planned flight from SJU to STT on a large jet or a small island hopper? What carrier are you using planning to use from SJU to STT? How much time between flights at both airports? All of these questions will have a bearing on what is the better option.

Give us more information, please.

caribtraveler

I'm with Joan. Slight edge to San Juan. But they both are a pain frankly. I think San Juan does not have clear signs (re: where to go). Miami is just crowded, usually long walks from one gate to another, etc...
My 2 cents.

Kath

This would be on AA all the way through, no change in carriers. The flight from Miami to STT is a big plane. The flight from SJU to STT is one of those AT something or others, so a small plane I think. Two hour layover at both locations. The Miami connect would get there ealier by two hours.

TXgalinGA

I would go through Miami if I got to my destination earlier..

caribtraveler

2 hours earlier?? Absolutely go through Miami then.

A_Traveller

With the added info the answer is easy. This is a no-brainer. Connect through Miami. You flight into STT will be on a full size jet (more comfortable than the smaller ATR's), you'll arrive on-island 2 hours earlier, and since you are conneting on the same airline you won't have too much difficulty moving between gates at MIA. Not to disparage American Eagle but their inter-island flights on ATR's out of San Juan are often delayed due to maintenance or weather. Why add that to the mix when you have a better solution by connecting through MIA?

beachdreams3

I agree that for this situation going through Miami is the best choice. Just wondering if anyone has heard about San Juan being really bad for baggage problems? I've seen references to that in other posts (here and/or Tripadvisor) and would appreciate any additional information about this.

cw

I've traveled through SJU almost annually for about 15 years on AA and AE.

Knock on wood, but our bags have always been at our destination. One time, our connection in SJU was tight due to delays, when we were on our way home. We had to run to our flight. Never thought the luggage would make it, but it did.

I do bring a change of clothes and my bathing suit in my carry-on bag though, just in case.

CW

beachdreams3

Thanks, CW. I do the same thing you do (bringing a change of clothes and swimsuit in my carry-on), but I am more concerned now than in the past about lost or delayed baggage since the new airline restrictions do not permit having makeup, suntan lotion, etc. in carry-on baggage.

cw

Beachdreams3--I know exactly what you mean. It would be horrid to get there and not have any make-up, etc.

We won't be going again until late winter, so maybe some of the restrictions will change. (Or maybe I'll mail that stuff to our hotel in advance!)

CW

beachdreams3

CW, I'm also hoping that the new restrictions will be modified, possibly after 9/11. Other times that the terror alert has been elevated, it has always dropped again when the threat did not materialize. Sending products in advance is worth considering if the restrictions remain, though.

Carrybean

Delayed baggage through SJU is most often due to full planes & lots of luggage. With the smaller planes, it becomes a weight issue. Frequently the bags are sent on the next flight.

Arriving 2 hours earlier is the ONLY reason I'd agree with using Miami. But I loathe that airport with a passion.

Kath

Yikes - just found out the layover in Miami is one hour. That's cutting it pretty close. The San Juan layover is two hours.

A_Traveller

One hour between flights on the same airline is doable, if your inbound flight is "on tme". It can be "tight" if you are travelling in wintertime from an area that traditionaly experiences bad weather. Before making your decision check to see if there's a later flight out of MIA just in case you miss your earlier connection. If not or if it means a real long layover consider making your connection in SJU instead.

Given this new information, SJU is looking like the better choice.

Carrybean

I think there's only the one flight out of Miami unless there's a Miami/San Juan/STT connection.

iw

Carrybean, I too, loathe Miami airport with a passion!:-< Our past vacation, in July, was the exception, as the Miami airport did a great job. We usually go through San Juan on purpose, and have never had a problem.
To the OP, if Miami would get you to your destination earlier, I probably would take that chance. I can't believe I just typed that! LOL

caribtraveler

iw: Too funny. Every time my husband and I go through Miami, we swear we'll never do it again... but then we do because the connection happens to be better. That airport is something else, I must say.

Kath: 1 hour is tight in Miami. Is your friend flying out to Miami early morning? The reason I'm asking is that flights that leave later in the day tend to be the ones with delays (snowball effect from our crowded skies).

MIM04

Oh I would avoid MIA at all costs. We live in FL so we end up going through MIA when it cannot be avoided, plus my DH has to go there for work a lot. It is a horrible airport, people are so nasty, especially the AA employees. We have been stranded overnight there more times than I can count.

We might go to Curacao next Thanksgiving, but we have to fly through MIA so we may not go there.