American Eagle

Huh, maybe they should get bigger planes and fewer flights to see if they can make some money.

If they really go down to 2 flights it's going to be a bloody mess here on STX as it's ungodly expensive to get off island as is. The good news is that maybe we can lure a discount carrier here (e.g., Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue) instead?

Every time I fly American Eagle the planes are full and the prices are high between here and Puerto Rico. Something is wrong in their cost structure somewhere...

stand corrected that AE is going backrupt but they are trying to be actively sold and leave STX. April seems like the time we will see some change if it happens.

If only they'd allow carry-on mangoes.

does that mean we will be plane-less. will we have to swim back to the states for a visit?

I think the rumors of bankruptcy are exaggerated...

Maybe eagle is trying to leave STX but everywhere else they are trying to expand business:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-19/amr-said-to-hire-evercore-bain-to-study-options-for-american-eagle-unit.html

The schedule for april 2011 is still showing several flights a day.

This is only a rumor. It's the island past time. Even if it really does go bankrupt someone will buy it, American has a strangle hold on the Caribbean and other airlines would love to come in.

Another rumor, after high season they are cutting back on flights from the states to PR.
We need a discount carrier.

This is true, but we at Cape Air will still be here to serve you and are expanding to Anguilla in December. We are more fun to fly on anyways, and offer code share with Continental airlines. 🙂

http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2010/06/11/garton-regains-american-eagle-presidency-reaffirms-intent-to-sell-the-regional/page1

The quote above is from the link above.

"He confirmed American’s plans to down grade the Caribbean markets where it has historically been the strongest. It is closing its San Juan hub in favor of moving its operations to Miami to support American’s north/south service to New York. He said the ATR 72 was especially useful in Miami given the number of military bases in the region In addition, half the aircraft that were based at San Juan have been moved to Dallas to support American there."

I'll start worry about it when American actually pulls out.

Might be time to think about changing my CitibankAA card, not that I haven't already thought about it. They not only started charging me an annual fee they jacked up my interest rates as well. I always found it easiest to only have one major credit card to collect all of the travel points that can be combined with my frequent flyer miles. Hmmm, any suggestions?

All the STX stuff is rumor and I'd be surprised if was even remotely true. I did read that they are cutting flights to SJU from the US though, namely Tampa, Baltimore, among others.... not that it really matters, since other discount carriers (Airtran, Jetblue, etc) will be taking up the exact same routes AA will be dropping.

I am seeing SJU flights to BWI, IAD (Dulles) and BOS gone in May of next year. This sucks for us because my family is near BWI meaning the only 2 hop way to get there is the jet through Miami which gets you in at almost midnight.

I am not seeing a cutback in the schedule for Eagle flights going STX-SJU although with the loss of feed in SJU it wouldn't be surprising if some flights were dropped. Dropping Eagle flights at SJU would also fly in the face of BA adding back service to SJU to London as part of the new anti-trust alliance with AA.

The "centerforaviation.com" story was discredited a while ago...I'd have to dig to find the site that discredited it but I don't think it makes much sense.

One thing to keep in mind, airtran is being bought by Southwest which will mean that unless they drop the route Southwest will be going to SJU for the first time. This is good in one respect (reasonable fares all the time) but bad in another in that Southwest doesn't interline luggage with other airlines so you'd have to go out of security to get your bags and re-check them in San Juan. It also means that if your bags got delayed you'd be SOL.

Sean

I am seeing SJU flights to BWI, IAD (Dulles) and BOS gone in May of next year.

Routes are sometimes reduced or dropped in low season. Also, some tickets cannot be purchased more than X months in advance. Maybe May is currently too far away.

I also heard from a comm pilot friend of mine American is actively trying to sell A Eagle which I believe they lease out. Justin

We love Cape Air. Less hassle then American Eagle.

Seaborne flys between STX & Puerto Rico. So there's another option rather than using American Eagle. AE planes are "really old" and sometimes you wonder if they are gonna make it; (my opinion). We have used Cape Air a couple of times and love the on time departures and ease of doing business with them. We are flying in late November from Cyril King Airport (STX) to Isle Grande Airport that is located next to the harbor in "Old San Juan". The fare was $179/per person round trip and this was lower price than either AE or Cape Air.

Jumbie-STX

Jumbie - the Cyril E. King Airport is actually STT. STX is Henry E Rohlsen.

Seaborne will soon begin service into SJU, but will continue with their service into Isla Grande as well. I am a little biased since I fly for Cape Air, but I have freinds over at Seaborne and enjoy their product as well.

The reducing of flights by AE is not a rumor, it is pretty well known around the airport.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9IEIPQO0.htm

Jumbie - the Cyril E. King Airport is actually STT. STX is Henry E Rohlsen.

Yes you are correct -my bad :S -- Thanks for the correction on my post.

Jumbie

AE planes are "really old" and sometimes you wonder if they are gonna make it; (my opinion).

Jumbie-STX

Age of the plane does not matter.
Quality of Maintenance does.
AE's planes are much newer, than Cape Air or Seabornes btw.

Age of the plane does not matter.
Quality of Maintenance does.
AE's planes are much newer, than Cape Air or Seabornes btw.

I totally agree Beeski- Quality of mainenance is THE most important aspect.

I'm no expert believe me, but I was told most of the AE's planes are 35+ yrs old. I'd be surprised if Cape Air's were that old; they sure look in much better physical condition than the ATR's of AE. My understanding, is the Seaborne planes have Otter engines which are one of the most dependable aircraft engines ever made.

Jumbie -STX

Just to help clarify a couple of previous posts, for people new to the islands, regarding Seaborne Airline flights to SJU (San Juan) and Isla Grande.

Seaborne is (was) a seaplane which used to fly into the harbor in San Juan and St. Thomas. They still take off and land in the harbor for St. Thomas flights, but for San Juan, they now take off and land on "land". I'm not positive where the take off from STX is, but it's out at the airport somewhere. In San Juan, they currently land at Isla Grande, as mentioned, near Old San Juan, but it is NOT anywhere near the main airport (SJU), so if trying to connect, that needs to be kept in mind.

Hope that makes sense. As I was reading, I thought to myself I wouldn't understand if I didn't already know.

Interesting and very good news about Seaborne flying into SJU. When does that start?

We are going on a cruise out of San Juan, PR so flying Seaborne into Isla Grande which is really close to the harbor where cruise ships dock in Old San Juan. That makes for a much shorter (cheaper) cab ride, plus the airfare was less than AE or Cape Air that fly into SJU.
Jumbie -STX

I just returned last week from San Juan to St Croix last week.

The American Airlines employee who assisted me in my wheelchair told me she was moving to Miami in 3 months because of cut backs in flights. She has 18 years with American Airlines, and had no option but to except the transfer or not have a job. However, she believed more flights from Miami to St Thomas and St Croix was in the making for American airlines.

Additionally, she told me and showed me a new terminal at the airport in San Juan, however, no airlines to use it, as all the major airlines have cut back flights to Puerto Rico.

As far as flights from St Croix to San Juan, I have flown them all---Cape Air, Seaborne. and American Eagle. All pretty satisfied with. However, my preference is SEABORNE as I was always treated as a VIP, although not, just in a wheelchair for 4 months. Moreover, Seaborne gives a Veteran discount if flying for care at the VA.

Time will tell on the final routes. Bottom line, we need a major airlines to do direct flight from Boston, Miami, and other locations from the states.