SJU>Vieques - Is a one-hour layover enough?
 

Hi. We're booked for our flights to SJU. We now need to book our flights to Vieques from SJU. Thinking of Cape Air. Options are for a one-hour layover or a 3-hour one. Obviously, one hour is our preference but we're worried that it might be too short. Anybody done this? Is it enough time if flight lands on schedule? We will only have carry-ons. Thanks!

You should be fine, if there are no delays in your flight to SJU. I had a flight last March that was delayed by an hour, I forget the times, but had half an hour to get to the Cape Air gate, and made it huffing and puffing with my carry ons!
Should you have a delay on your flight to SJU, you can call Cape Air to change the flight and they do not charge for that.
I keep the Cape Air number in my cell phone directory as we have had to rearrange more than once.

I agree. If your arriving plane is on time it should be no problem making the Cape Air flight. We had a scheduled connection time of about an hour, but our arriving plane was about 15 minutes late into San Juan and so we had to really book it to make it to the counter at Cape Air to check in (also had just carry-on luggage). As it turns out, Cape Air had two small planes scheduled to depart and we were on the second departure, so we had a moment to catch our breaths and get a snack and cold drink out of the vending machines.

I'd suggest just what MahoBayGirl did. No sense in planning on having 3 hours in San Juan from the get-go if there's a chance you can make it on the shorter connection.

All right. I'm so not a gambler. Someone on another site said I could book the later flight, but get on the earlier one if I get there on time and there's space. I called Cape Air and they confirmed I could do that and won't be charged a change fee.

If you need to pick up your luggage in SJU it will tight!

You should also check out Air Sunshine and Vieques Air Link to see if they have compromise times. Depending on when you are going, lots of times flights are full so you may not be able to get on the earlier flight even if you are there on time. You should also check out flights on VAL from Isla Grande, which is about a 15 minute taxi ride from SJU. The flights from there are roughly 50% cheaper than those from SJU.

Vieques Air Link is also a little cheaper than Cape Air, even from SJU.

I just made a mistake, I do not think Air Link leaves from SJU, just Isla Grande. Maybe it was Air Sunshine. Or I am just big time confused :(

VAL also flies from SJU (3 or 4 flights a day).

Thanks. I did check the other airlines. They all had that ridiculous 2 to 3-hour layover whether it was heading to Vieques or returning or both. Bottom line, my flight times between Newark and San Juan are really the problem. But we had already purchased those tickets. Oh well. And I know those planes are small and the chances of finding 3 empty seats are low. However, I rather the longer layover than missing the connection and the next flight being booked and being stucked in SJU for who knows how long. That trip is short enough as it is. :-)

That's a good point. Flying on a weekend in January to Vieques could be quite crowded.

You don't necessarily have to book both legs of the SJU-Vieques flight on the same airline, however. If one has a better schedule going out and another one coming back, that would work out fine.

I'm just glad you've got it all worked out to go. HowardC from this forum really likes Martineau.

ej: Shoot. We didn't even think about that. re: not booking the same airline for both legs. My husband already bought the Vieques tickets. :-( Well, let's just hope now that we luck out and make it on earlier flights.

Well, no sense in fretting about it now, eh? Just have fun doing the research for your trip! You probably already know it, but just in case, you might want to check out www.enchanted-isle.com.

And if you're a flan fan, you must go to the Flan Lady near Esperanza!

ej: Thanks. I'm planning to re-read your trip report and Owa's. If I have any questions, I'll ask. Creme brulee and flan are 2 of my favorite desserts! I'll make sure we go there! :-)

I flew from Newark to SJU last March, and missed my connections due to bad weather in Newark. I would not risk a one hour layover. Go for 2 or 3 hours.

Does anyone know how to get to Cape Air from the Amercian terminal? I have about an hour between landing in SJU and catching my flight to VQS, that is if the arival is on time!

Cape Air is in another terminal. If your plane arrives on time, you will have enough time to get there. They(Cape Air) tell you to be there 45 min. early, but as long as you get there before it takes off, you will get on.
I can't tell you how to get to the CA terminal, the first time I had to find it on my own, I just asked the people who work in the airport to point me in the right direction and just kept asking along the way.
I will still need them to point me in the right direction when I go in Dec.!!

Hey MahobayGirl, where's your trip report from Colorado and New Mexico?? I'm living vacariously through you on that trip. I need a fix!! ;)

beachgirl ugh.........I read this answer to a post today where someone complimented on the original poster who thanked everyone who helped plan her trip, and I thought, I need to at least thank them!
I am still trying to digest the whole trip(family dynamics played a big part) and I have never been "out west" except for Vegas so just had no idea.
I will get out my notes tomorrow and post on the other forum!!!
Thanks for the kick in the butt:)

No kick from me!!! No thanks either. Just wanting to hear the travel stories. Wow, family dynamics? What timing with Thanksgiving around the corner. You'll be the first in line with those stories, we'll be behind you first thing after dinner on Thursday!! LOL

First time out west, can't wait to hear. I sure hope you had a good time. We're stuck at home for a while. :(

Sheila

that should read 'no thanks needed either"......

I will begin the TR today on the US forum!!

Thanks for the info on cape air. The map of SJU airport gives a hint that it may be in anothr terminal but it wasn't really clear. I'll findout soon enough!

caribtraveler - dont forget when you get off the plane you will have to go through security in SJU again. So that could take sometime. I just had to do this in Sept. it was not crowded, but it took a long time because they were throwing out people's makeup, etc. that they had in their carry-ons and everyone had to take off shoes, etc. they only had 1 line open.