Getting to Bonaire

[lmorin]

I just searched for AA fares from Boston to Bonaire (through Miami) and return. The price was about $1150, about $50 less than we are paying to fly via United (through Newark) this January with a February return. Also about twice the price of a United ticket in previous years.

 

[Kharon]

I think someone posted that the airlines are gouging to destinations that escaped hurricane damage. Hopefully that will subside at some point and the fares (and travel times) to and from Bonaire will go back to reasonable.

 

[tkaelin]

I saw those posts but question whether that is true. I follow airfares pretty carefully to a number of destinations with no noticeable increases and Bon has been overpriced long before the storms. Kharon, I think you are being kind and uncharacteristically optimistic

 

[dmaziuk]

More like they'll get a 30% tax cut and raise ticket prices 30% to "make up for the difference". And another 10% "to enhance our user experience".

 

[Ricardo V.]

It’s crazy expensive to fly to Bonaire. I just can’t beleive how difficult it’s gotten from FL.

Last 2 visits we made from Miami were with stops in Atlanta... flying with Delta. It makes for a long day, but it was worth about $400 per person which was not bad.

Aside from tourism, 2 other activities that help the local economy are the Salt works and the BOPEC tank farm. This last one apparently just made an ultimatum to the current tenant for not keeping operations up to par when it comes to safety and accident prevention strategies, and may be kicking them off the island as early as February 2018. In any case, if it folds, that will just further the economy’s dependence on tourism. Back in 2010, lightning ignited a tank which was just left to extinguish itself. Scary stuff... In any case, I hope AA will offer reliable schedules and competitive prices so we can all keep visiting Bonaire and enjoy this wonderful destination.

I just checked to see what AAs prices look like and they are going for just over $770 in July of 2018. Better than what we had just a few days ago and trending in the right direction.

Ricardo

 

[jimw]

Using ITASoftware Matrix, part of the Google empire--I checked June thru October, 2018. The price was $772. every Saturday even thru the previously announced hiatus late August into October. AA Miami n/s to Bonaire leaving MIA at 12:05 pm. Ar BON 3:13 pm.

 

[Kharon]

I saw those posts but question whether that is true. I follow airfares pretty carefully to a number of destinations with no noticeable increases and Bon has been overpriced long before the storms. Kharon, I think you are being kind and uncharacteristically optimistic

I was just on Bonaire Oct 28th to Nov 6th 2017. The airfare has jumped 2-4 times what I paid (booked way before hurricanes). I'm inclined to think gouging.

Just checked using Matrix. From Albany to Bonaire and back Feb/Mar - $1000 up to $2150 and the return trip is 30 to 77 hours. WTF???

 

[choiahoy]

I'm looking at $1000+ for the non-stop from Newark in April..

 

[Snoweman]

Last 2 visits we made from Miami were with stops in Atlanta... flying with Delta. It makes for a long day, but it was worth about $400 per person which was not bad.

When were those flights?? I have been following flights out of Atlanta to Bonaire for over two years. It really chaps my butt cheeks when it's cheaper for me to fly to a city to fly back to Atlanta and onto a destination. I don't think flights out of ATL have been below $850 in all of my time of watching. Now..., ff miles are another thing. If I am flexible, then I can fly there as low as 40,000 miles. And..., I am flexible on my travel if it is cheap.

 

[Ricardo V.]

Our most recent visit to Bonaire was from April 29th through May 7th of this year. Our Delta Airlines route was: Miami - Atlanta - Bonaire, and we paid $331.29 per person. No points and no discounts. Straight up purchase online.

Ricardo

PS: Before that, we visited in January, just a few months prior, and paid around $400 per person. Same route and airline.