Flight question

[t4e]

its too early, sign up on your choice of airlines to get notified of seat sales
unlike vacations, flights don't get cheaper closer to the date, rather more expensive

october shouldn't be that expensive, i get $700 with Air Canada

 

[diversteve]

When in October? You might be seeing Regatta pricing/availability in the early part of the month. Bonaire Regatta 2013 - Home

An acquaintance owns a rental there and said that week and the Kitesurfing contest week (mid-June) are usually busier.

 

[Goodtime Adventures]

Handy hint for getting better deals on flights: clear your cookies & browser history before re-searching. Many of the flight providers have software built into their websites, so if they know you've searched before from the same IP address, they know - and will adjust the prices you get in your search accordingly. Sneaky b#*tards!

 

[herman]

Another option you migh not have looked into is Amerian into Curacao then one of the hoppers (Divi Divi/Insel) over to Boniare. The hoppers usually run in the $120ish range RT. The flight is a little more of a PITA but it can be a big savings at times. I did that last year when the major airlines were over $1500, I ended up going a day early because I had the time anyway and still saved about half of the air plus got in an extra day of diving.

 

[uncfnp]

I have flown Delta from Charlotte through Atlanta, Insel from Charlotte through Curacao twice and lastly, Delta from Greensboro through Atlanta. My preference is Greensboro (local airport) with Delta and I will willing pay a few extra dollars for this option. The Delta flight from either GSO or CLT (and I assume Raleigh) essentially gives us an extra day diving due to its arrival/departure times. Insel from Charlotte has not been too bad but it leaves late so arrives late in Bonaire and the change over in Curacao can be an issue. Missed or full plane, lost luggage and since it is the last flight that night its the next day before you or your luggage arrives in Bonaire if you miss it. We nearly missed the transfer our first time, we were escorted at a jog through the Curacao airpot to meet the plane. The luggage arrived the next am, a minor hassle since we could not dive that night anyway. And of course, the flight from CLT is an older plane.

And if you get the American Express Delta card, you and 3 others booked with you will get first checked bag free each way and earn miles for future trips.

 

[boat sju]

its too early,

I think this is the key yet. If you keep an eye on the United and Delta flights they can drop one day and bounce right back up the next but that seems to occur within three months of departure. So you have to be ready to pull the trigger. Flying Delta through Atlanta was nice. You get into Bonaire at a decent time so you can pick up your truck and do a little grocery shopping and then get a good nights sleep. I think we got two more days of diving in just because of the logistics - and we were more relaxed with the arrival/departure times. To me it was worth a couple hundred more bucks.