Lois

Is LIAT still operating? Do they have a toll-free number that works?

I would like to book directly on line, but first would like to speak with someone to be sure of their schedules.

Do they just confim by e-mail and you take that to the airline?

We're interested in a quick trip from Barbados to St. Kitts and back to Barbados (just a couple of days there). We'd like to book prior to leaving the States this Saturday.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Lois

curiousx

here's the website for LIAT - it gives a toll free number. http://www.liatairline.com/

You might also want to consider Caribbean Star as I believe it also does the Barbados-St. Kitts run.

CS prices can often be lower than LIAT and the aircraft (or at least the ones I have been on) are quite new. Here's the website. http://www.flycaribbeanstar.com/

You can make bookings on line or over the phone with each one of them, and confirm a seat (you will get an email confirmation). However, Caribbean Star does not actually process your payment until you check in. As I have commented in a another recent post, this procedure is done very poorly. I expect LIAT does the same.

lizpereira

Yes, Liat is still flying.

The number for Liat is 1-888-844-5428.

As an alternative you can book your flights with a travel agent.

croix

Lois, we took Liat from Stlucia to St Vincent in July 05. I booked them via their web-site---e-tickets and all worked well. Most flights go through Barbados and they are based out of Antigua. Do know that the 50lb per bag is strictly enforced. We were impressed!!

vinceygirl

I just booked a flight with Liat, St.Vincent to Grenada R/T online. I found the flight schedule to be very confusing and only after the booking was made did the actual flight itinerary come on screen. I totally misread the schedule and ended up booking I think 2-4 hr flights when the nonstop is only 1/2 hr. I e-mailed them immediatly expecting either a phone call or return message some time the next AM. Nothing by 11am yesterday. Got on the phone and after an attempt to call the toll free number a recording responded it is not valid from my calling area. Ended up connecting with someone in Trinidad. My flight was changed with a service charge of $50.
This was my first attempt to book online with a foreign airline. I accept responsibility for my mistake just warning others to be sure you are checking exactly what you want before hitting the booking button. When my phone bill arrives the actual cost of this flight will become quite costly.
Make sure you have the confirmation number and print out your itinerary to avoid question.

croix

Vinceygirl, I had the same fear. However, the internet screens with options came up good for me-----it was a little tricky and had to google it to get the exact screen---many options and times though. It was seemless for me. But I expected different----they say LeaveIslandAnyTime is LIAT!!

luv2sail

I just got back to San Diego from St. Vincent. I flew LIAT round trip to St. Vincent from San Juan. I arrived over one hour late in St. Vincent, and nearly 4 hours late returning to San Juan. I missed my connection and had to stay in a hotel.

Not only did LIAT refuse to help or pay for a hotel room, they didn't even say they were sorry.

Be very careful should you decide to fly this airline.

A_Traveller

There seems to be a rash of posting today about LIAT. LIAT is one of the largest of the Caribbean regional carriers and they've been around a long time so it stands to reason there are lot's of horror stories. The fact of the matter is all of the smaller carries in the Caribbean have their share of trouble. It's the nature of the beast. I'm not advocating one airline over another just merely pointing out you can have a bad experience on any of them on any given day of the week.

jray

I would love to know the reason for LIAT being late. The weather in the Caribbean has been very bad lately and could very well be the reason. I just flew AA and they cancelled my flight out of SJU ane rebooked my on another flight all due to the weather. The entire ramp was closed for hours...would I blamce AA, no, because it was the weather.

Croix, what was the reason for the delay?

vinceygirl

I have flown Liat and Caribbean Star. I have no complaints about the flights. The only problems I have had were all secondary to weather. I visit St. Vincent usually once a yr and always an adventure and no one's fault. One yr I was stranded in Antiqua. The lights went out on the runway at E.T. Joshua so flights after 4:30pm were cancelled until the next day. Went to the counter and talked with the agents about where were all of the passengers going to spend the night. After just a little himhawing around they made arrangements for all to have a room near the airport and provided meal vouchers to boot. Because rooms were at a premium I was paired with an elderly Vincentian woman traveling from NY with her 2 yr old granddaughter. Turned out to be a pleasant experience and I helped her with baggage and the child.

My flight on Liat is booked for Dec 4 between Grenada and St.Vincent. I have a booking number and it is paid for. Showed up on my last CC statement.

croix

Jray, no delay for me. had a family of 4 and flawless. I suppose I am mentally prepared for changes when in the Carribean------that is the fun of it for me-----not discounting the other's problems-----some people dont like changes. Had to hang out for almost a full day in St Vincent b/c Carnival was going on and the ferry didn't go until 6:00pm. But we were taken care of nicely at the Grand View Hotel---such a beutiful island StVincent is. Caribbean Star turned around and relanded in StV. after a 1 minute takeoff to come back and pick up people----you got to love that. Liat was fairly on time, but if cancelled I just plan on being nice, somebody will care of us and then a bottle of rum will get you through.

Liked Liat alot. Etickets on web, nice people in Stlucia and StVincent. No problem mon!

Carrybean

LIAT - Leave Island Any Time.

luv2sail

Do not fly LIAT airlines. If you miss a connecting flight, due to their mechanical problems or otherwise, they will not help you. The desk in San Juan is extremely rude and arrogant. I politely asked for reimbursement for a hotel room, after they made me 4 hours late. They practically laughed at me, and then had a horrible attitude. I've been emailing their headquarters since my return, and they will not even respond. Stick with the larger, more established companies. LIAT is in financial trouble, and don't even pay all their bills, port taxes, etc. They are run by the government, so that explains a lot.

Carola22

I had terrible experiences in the past with the old 'ALM' (Dutch Antillean Airlines) - delays of 2 hours or more, connecting flights missed, having to spend extra nights somewhere, racing with taxis across the airport to make the flight to Amsterdam, etc. I believe LIAT is ALM's successor - I would never fly with them again if they paid me! I do have good experiences with Winair - courteous staff and always on time. And errr... doesn't LIAT mean 'Luggage In Another Town'?

RAB

I have flown LIAT several times with no complaints. Booked 3 flights on-line for May since their prices were considerably lower than anything else I could find, and shortly after they totally changed schedules for SJU so I have had to cancel one and change another. So far LIAT has been helpful and I have had no problems reaching them, and they did email me the schedule changes as soon as they made them. We shall see how it works out.

penny

I just flew Caribbean star for the second time--they have new planes, new routes, and IMHO better than Liat.

ScubaMom

After almost 20 years of flying around the Caribbean, we find Caribbean Star a WONDERFUL alternative to dreaded LIAT. I could write a book on the horror stories of flying LIAT and avoid them whenever possible.

Caribbean Star is far superior!

For either one, best to use a Travel Agent - they will run a paper ticket for you and the fares are usually fully refundable in case you must cancel.