flying caribbean air

[Jennifer C]

I was wondering if anybody had an opinion on flying with Caribbean Air ie. from Toronto or New York to Port of Spain. Are they reliable/on time? I see available what looks to be a shorter trip time flying with them rather than with American Airlines.
I guess that one of the advantages would be that in theory one could check baggage straight through to Tobago now that they have taken over Tobago Express.
Thank you.

[Brian Taylor]

you canb not check luggage through once you land in trinidad!!!
where ever you enter the republic trinidad & tobago you have to get out your luggage and pass customs, because you don't pass customs on flight from one island to the next! speaking from my dumb experience here
a lesseon learned!
steph

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Steph

Yes, my understanding is the same. As you say, the airbridge flights are domestic, so don't go through Immigration and Customs. So, baggage will NOT be checked right through. Travellers will still have to collect it on arrival in Trinidad, go through Customs and then check-in again for the domestic flight.

[Roger D.]

Hi Jennifer;

Caribbean Air has a 90% + on time performance. You should not have any problems as far as that is concerned. Oh, there are inflight meals as well
http://caribbean-airlines.com/cc/otp.shtml

[Roger D.]

Hi Jennifer;

Caribbean Air has a 90% + on time performance. You should not have nay problems as far as that is concerned, oh are there are inflight meals as well
http://caribbean-airlines.com/cc/otp.shtml

[Hugh S]

Not everyone has your optimism Roger. Read this recent rant from the Tobago News:

http://www.thetobagonews.com/index.pl/a ... d=13886479

Hugh

[Clyde Alleyne]

Jennifer, something else to consider: the time the two airlines will land in Trinidad. You WILL have to clear customs & immigration in Trinidad before heading to the Tobago counter to check in for the connection to Tobago. You should try to join the check-in line at the Tobago counter at least a clear hour before the scheduled departure (they close the flight and start taking standby passengers 30 minutes before scheduled departure). The last flight to Tobago is around 9PM, so you will have to cater for the time it will take for you to clear immigration, get your baggage, clear customs, and get to the Tobago counter - ideally by 8PM latest. So if a flight will land at say 7:30PM, then it would be dicey whether you will make it over to the Tobago counter in time before the flight is closed. If no airline arrives early enough, then you might have to plan to overnight in Trinidad.
Hope this helps.
Clyde

[A Ali]

This report may be a bit late for Jennifer but hopefully will be helpful to others.

I flew with Caribbean Airlines a few weeks ago with no problems. A relative flew with them back in November 08 with no problems. I think they are as reliable as any other airline presently. The web check in service saved me some wait time in the check in line too

All the best..