Pennsylvania to Tobago- HELP

[Carla C]

Dear fellow Tobagophiles,
(bear with me on this long story)

My b/f and myself are trying to convince a couple of friends to pay us a visit later this year, rather than we go see them during winter. Thing is, neither of the two is one for planning anything, so i feel it's possible that they may never reach. I'm trying to gather all the necessary info to expedite their visit, so that all they have to do is book their flight and get on the plane. They live in Pennsylvania and neither one has travelled to the Caribbean before. Things are so bad, that when i began boasting about my Tobago and my Tobago obsession, they both asked (at the same time) what Tobago was. Well you can just imagine the look of horror on my face. I-WAS-SHOCKED!!! I smugly replied "It is only the single, most heavenly beautiful place that you or anyone else will ever see.."

Anyhoo, so we decided to bring them to Tobago to spend the majority of their vacation, which, because of people like yourselves and your contributions, shouldnt be hard to arrange. The task at hand, which is proving to be more difficult, is getting the figures for the cheapest flight for them to Trinidad. This is where you guys come in.

Does anyone have any idea (because i most certainly do not) which airline would offer the cheapest flights for them, where is the nearest airport (JFK?) being serviced by said airline, airline's website and any other tidbit of info you can give me as per Air Travel. Please help, as they are trying to get us to visit Pennsylvania first, and I'm sure you'll understand why I prefer to go to Tobago. Also, this is just another excuse to go to Tobago for an extended period of time and you can Never have too many trips to Tobago, wouldn't you agree?

Many Thanx, my friends....
-Carla.

[Roger D.]

Hi Carla;
I'm a Trini living in New Jersey, just spent 3 weeks visiting Tobago and Trindad. The cheapest way from PA to Trinidad..hmmm. Well BWIA is the cheapest leaving from JFK, New York. They have at least two daily flights.
BW 425 which departs JFK at 07:00 AM daily non stop to Trinidad, this one is a bit more expensive because it's non-stop. There is BW 427 which departs JFK at 07:45, this flight is via Barbados - Remeber this is also a peak travel period until Labour Day - usually the first Monday in September - the average price would be about US $ 650.00 return per person.
Travel Span, almost forgot, is a charter outfit that operates from JFK as well, they have the chepeast flights out of JFK, but I understand that they are prone to delays and last minute cancellations without warning, but that's what I've heard, it's not fact.
American Airlines also offer daily flights to Trinidad, but this involves switching planes in San Juan, Puerto Rico or Miami, this can be somewhat of a hassle -
Continental Airlines offer service out of Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey, but its not daily - I cannot remember the frequency, their service is excellent - They operate non-stop to Trinidad as well as service via Houston Texas.
Your Friends have alot of options available to them - the problem is getting from PA to New York or New Jersey, depending on what part of PA they live, they can probably fly out of Philly or Pittsburgh and can probably connect with Continental in Texas, American in Miami or BWIA out of Washington D.C. or Miami.
Travel Span also offer a non-stop Service to Tobago from New York on Saturday's and BWIA offer a non stop Service to Tobago out of Washington D.C.
You can click on the Tobago tab at the top of this page, then click on getting there, you'll find links to the Airlines websites
Hope this Helps
Roger

[Dianne O.]

Hi, Carla. You might try SideStep.com...you have to download the software to your PC but it's quick and easy to use. SideStep searches all airlines and flight times at once and you can choose what works best for you and your friends. The key will be to decide which airport you are departing from. Good luck!

[Joanne Green]

Dear Carla,

If your friends don't already have a passport, they MUST apply now!! Because of the fact that after Dec. 31, a passport is required to return from any part of the caribbean, the passport office is getting very busy. They can go to the post office & get applications.

[L Whitman]

I am meeting a new friend (met in Tobago in May)in 3 weeks in Miami and we are flying together the rest of the way to Trinidad and on to Tobago. She is coming from Pittsburgh - me from Tampa. We are both going American to Miami and American to Trinidad. Her flight, I believe, just stops in Miami - no plane change, tho mine is a plane change. Coming back, its American back to Miami and American the rest of the way on our separate journeys. We both took these same flights in May, and it all went off without a hitch. Prices are good too, if you watch for the specials.