Timing the Curacao-Bonaire flight

[doctock993]

I'm planning an October trip to Bonaire and would like to use American MIA-Curacao and then take one of the small companies that fly between Curacao and Bonaire.
After searching the forum I cannot figure out how to "time" the flights.

How much time should I realistically alot to get baggage/ clear customs/ get to the next flight in both directions?

I will have 1 checked bag but recognize that for the small flight my 1-2 carry-on bags will most likely need to be put into cargo.

It looks from a search like Saturdays are the busiest, and I may be able to go on Fri on the way there, but it looks like no flights between the islands are available on Oct 10, so I will have to fly back to the US on Saturday Oct 9.

Suggestions? (Overnight in Curacao 8-9 is not an option!)

 

[boat sju]

Inselair flies Miami to Bonaire direct every Saturday.

 

[herman]

I would plan in at least 2 hrs. It actually takes about 30-40 minutes but if your plane is late...like mine was...you can cut it very close. There are flights on Sunday. Divi has flights Bon to Cur at 11:45, 1:15, 2:45 and several more. DAE is not showing any but my bet is the calander is wrong, drop them an email. Insel air may also have Sun flights.Changing airlines is kinda strange in Cur, you get your bags, do customs and imigration and exit the airport, the walk to the other end of the airport and start the check in, not the most intutive of airports to get through.

 

[doctock993]

Inselair flies Miami to Bonaire direct every Saturday.

Thank you, I am aware of that, but as stated, I would like to fly American Airlines from Miami.

I would plan in at least 2 hrs. It actually takes about 30-40 minutes but if your plane is late...like mine was...you can cut it very close. There are flights on Sunday. Divi has flights Bon to Cur at 11:45, 1:15, 2:45 and several more. DAE is not showing any but my bet is the calander is wrong, drop them an email. Insel air may also have Sun flights.Changing airlines is kinda strange in Cur, you get your bags, do customs and imigration and exit the airport, the walk to the other end of the airport and start the check in, not the most intutive of airports to get through.

Is that the method of changing planes in both directions in Curacao?

 

[DeputyDan]

Thank you, I am aware of that, but as stated, I would like to fly American Airlines from Miami.


Is that the method of changing planes in both directions in Curacao?

Yes - both ways and it you don't keep your boarding pass you pay the exit tax twice!

 

[Togalive]

We just recently finished planning/paying for an upcoming trip, and when we purchased our tickets the company actually made an error on the flights. Turns out you need to give the airlines between the islands atleast 2 hours to move your luggage, so if you find a flight that has you landing in Curacao at 10, and leaving at 11, it probably wont happen. As a result of the airline calling us and explaining that we wouldnt have our bags when we got to Bonaire, we'll stick with a 4 hour layover in Curacao, and paying for an extra day on Bonaire to get our full 6 days of diving.

 

[DeputyDan]

My answer and Herman's answer assumed that you would be changing airlines in Curacao.

That means that the airline flying into Curacao considers that Curacao is your final destination. They you start over with the commuter airline.

I have never flown through Curacao with a same airline connection like you currently can with Insel so I can't share with you how that works.

My flights have always been AA to Curacao and then DIVI DIVI to Bonaire!

 

[jennfl]

We are flying in on Insel air from Miami to Curacao. Our flight arrives in Curacao at 18:30 and the connecting flight (also on Insel, but a different plane), depart Curacao to Bonaire at 19:45. Are we cutting it too close for our baggage to make it on the plane to Curacao? It's only an hour and 15minute layover.