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loveourcottage
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 12:44 am |
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| We have always flown from the big airport into Culebra. Have read posts on other forums that Isla Nena is not reliable (that is who we have always booked with). Would prefer not to have to go to Isla Grande if possible. Any new thoughts or observations regarding Isla nena. I emailed them and they said they still fly from the big airport but not sure if we should trust them. Any advice is appreciated. We have friends flying in on Feb. 8th at 2:30 and not sure they will make it in time for a 4:30 flight from Ilsla Grandet especially if their plane is late.
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admin
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 01:23 am |
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Personally, I don't trust Isla Nena's reliability. Vieques Air Link has always done well for me, but you're right -- they only fly out of Isla Grande (which is about a 20 minute taxi ride), and a 2:30 arrival is cutting it close if your friends are not flying carry on (which is next to impossible to do these days). That all being said, that time of the year, Isla Nena does fly more often. Did they say they had a scheduled flight or only On-Demand? You do have the option of taking a taxi to Fajardo and coming via the ferry, which is a very nice, relaxing way of arriving to Culebra, and your friends would have an opportunity of seeing some of the big island.
Hope this helps more than confuse!
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loveourcottage
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 01:44 am |
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Thanks,
We have done the ferry and for our friends that won't work. We are ok with going to the smaller airport as we are flying in late Wed. Feb. 6th staying overnight and can get an early flight out on the 7th. It is our friends we are concerned about. I will keep checking otherwise I guess Isla Grande it is.
Tricia
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bayberry
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 11:26 am |
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| Air Flamenco is just as reliable as Vieques Air Link and has a slightly better schedule. Also it is CULEBRA's airline, whereas VAL, although owned by the same family, is a VIEQUES airline.
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admin
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 11:57 am |
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| Air Flamenco also flys out of Isla Grande.
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loveourcottage
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 12:23 pm |
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What would be nice is if there was a up to date schedule to compare flight times as it is so difficult to get in touch with the airlines. I know I can use the flamenco website to book online but i am also trying to do so for my friends who don't get in until after 2pm. This website said it might be hard to make the 4:30 flight. On trip advisor posted in Oct. they said Flamenco had a 5>30 pm flight. Guess I will just have to keep trying the phone number. Thanks
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admin
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 12:35 pm |
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The reason there aren't flight times posted, as the schedules change, and also a lot of the flights are "on-demand". And if the plane is full, it will leave early, and if the right person calls and asks for the plane to be held for a few minutes, the plane will leave late (this is the joy of a laid back island). Technically, your friends will make it to Isla Grande in time (I've done it several times). However, San Juan is infamous for taking forever to unload the luggage. In order for your friends to make a 4:30 flight out of Isla Grande, they would have to be in the taxi by 3:15. A 3:30 departure and a hair raising fast taxi ride will also work -- but I don't suggest that method unless they have nerves of steel. 
Also, if they are running a few minutes late, tell them to call the airline at Isla Grande -- quite often, they'll hold the plane for a few minutes. The taxi stand is right outside the baggage claim area.
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bayberry
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 12:36 pm |
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Go to the website http://www.bluehorizonrealty.net. Sandra keeps an updated schedule of both air and ferry schedules. "On demand" in the case of Isla Nena means hardly ever and not when and where they said they were going in the first place. In the case of the other two airlines, it means that they don't have to fly if there aren't at least two advance reservations (on the downside) and on the upside, if a plane is available and there are enough extra people, they will fly an extra section.
Yes, Air Flamenco is out of Isla Grande.
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Diving Debbie
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 01:35 pm |
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We prefer Air Flamenco. It's really not that difficult or time-consuming to get over to Isla Grande, plus you get a little flavor of the San Juan area. We have landed late into SJU, and have had to ask Air Flamenco to hold the plane for us, which they gladly did. We find them very reliable and quite friendly and, as bayberry pointed out, by using a Culebra-owned airline, you're putting your money into Culebra's economy. I'd say if your friends are in a cab by 3:45 - 4:00, it will be okay even though they are pushing it to the max -- as long as they have called to let AF know they are on the way. Besides, what's really going to happen is they will bust their tails to get over there, and then the plane will be late anyway.  Hey, what's Puerto Rico without a little adventure?Last edited on Tue Nov 6th, 2007 01:27 am by Diving Debbie
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bayberry
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 03:11 pm |
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| Also, if you have a close one for the 4:30 flight, your taxis ride to Isla Grande from International will be AGAINST rush hour traffic.
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loveourcottage
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Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 01:45 pm |
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Thank you all for your advice. Our flights are booked with Air Flamanco. Our friends will be on a 6:30 flight out of Isla Grande and if their 2:30 flight is on time and there i room on the 4:30 flight they can get that. Works out well. Flights back are at 7am a bit early for a 3:30 flight but we will just check in and cab it downtown and get a nice meal.
Tricia
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admin
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Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 01:50 pm |
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| Actually, the flight back will allow you time to see Old San Juan, which is always a great thing to do -- usually, the Air Flamenco desk at Isla Grande will hold your luggage for you (Isla Grande is closer to Old San Juan than International Airport). Glad to hear Air Flamenco is running a later flight -- should make travel that much more enjoyable and easy!
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