Brickell305 wrote:

Re Guyana, COPA is also planning to increase service to GEO possibly to daily frequency.

http://wp.caribbeannewsnow.com/2018/03/ ... y-flights/

While PTY - POS twice daily was a question of how soon, but PTY-GEO daily is really unexpected.
Well, If PTY-GEO increases then chances of PTY-PBM are very high.
Odd PTY-KIN isn't daily yet and that CM has shown little or no interest in PTY-GCM so far.

Brickell305 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

Here is more Guyana news: on 1 July, LIAT will launch a daily ANU-POS-OGL flight using the 48-seat ATR 42. This will complement the other two daily 68-seat ATR 72 flights, namely SKB-ANU-BGI-OGL and BGI-OGL. Timings are:
ANU-POS 1710-1910
POS-OGL 1940-2110

OGL-POS 0600-0730
POS-ANU 0800-1000

LIAT's POS-OGL will be up against BW's POS-GEO (three daily plus another three times a week).

So essentially, they are bringing back the exact flight they ran last year without the stop in SLU?

No, SLU was never in the routing.

CM has some low JFK GEO fares if you book in advance so they might be getting more of that business.

gunnerman wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

Here is more Guyana news: on 1 July, LIAT will launch a daily ANU-POS-OGL flight using the 48-seat ATR 42. This will complement the other two daily 68-seat ATR 72 flights, namely SKB-ANU-BGI-OGL and BGI-OGL. Timings are:
ANU-POS 1710-1910
POS-OGL 1940-2110

OGL-POS 0600-0730
POS-ANU 0800-1000

LIAT's POS-OGL will be up against BW's POS-GEO (three daily plus another three times a week).

So essentially, they are bringing back the exact flight they ran last year without the stop in SLU?

No, SLU was never in the routing.

Didn’t LI use to fly 309 as ANU-SLU-POS-GEO until they decided to stop running the POS-GEO leg? At that point the flight went back to terminating in POS.

Caribbean airlines seems to be on an expansion drive.

Seeing an add in yesterday’s guardian which I can’t figure out how to post showing a “new link” with “coming soon”

Seems to show a new route between Guyana and Venezuela based on the maps and the outlines.

Cheers,
AA1818

Brickell305 wrote:

gunnerman wrote:

Brickell305 wrote:

So essentially, they are bringing back the exact flight they ran last year without the stop in SLU?

No, SLU was never in the routing.

Didn’t LI use to fly 309 as ANU-SLU-POS-GEO until they decided to stop running the POS-GEO leg? At that point the flight went back to terminating in POS.

Yes, you are right, my memory is slipping as I think I even made a post about this! The POS-OGL flights started in 2015, night arrivals and morning departures four times a week. The aircraft landing at night were used to operate the return night flights to BGI whilst the aircraft arriving early morning from BGI were used to operate the return flights to POS.

What has happened to United's non-stop EWR-POS. Is it a summer seasonal flight?

NAX737MAX wrote:

What has happened to United's non-stop EWR-POS. Is it a summer seasonal flight?

Operates only in the summer, Xmas and Carnival.

Does anyone know when SXM will get their radar operating again?

SELMER40 wrote:

Does anyone know when SXM will get their radar operating again?

https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwid ... ir-traffic

St Maarten, was on one of the Caribbean island paradises badly hit by hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017. The air traffic and airport infrastructure were particularly affected and the country has been working assiduously to restore its primary means of transportation to and from the island. For this reason St Maarten’s SXM Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) chose to rely on Thales to help them fulfil their ambition of quickly returning the island to its pristine natural beauty, and to once again enjoy their status as one of the world’s foremost tourist destinations.

**************

Given they will be rebuilding their entire ATC system, not anytime soon.

Thanks for the link and good information. I believe, based on the article, the new radar will be up by mid September '18..........

The flight times are out on AA's new MIA-GEO service. About 6pm southbound from MIA but being an immediate turn around, departure from GEO is at 1:15am arrival MIA at 455am. Non-stop is certainly attractive but I will stick with BW or PY, much more humane flight times!

Why would AA chose such inhumane flight times in and out of GEO? Why don't they do daylight flight times like other Caribbean destinations?

A388

A388 wrote:

Why would AA chose such inhumane flight times in and out of GEO? Why don't they do daylight flight times like other Caribbean destinations?

A388

GEO is too far. Their morning flights leave MIA after 1030AM and return by 730PM. They cannot do this for GEO. Given that its a less than daily flight they aren't going to drive up costs by overnighting plane/crews. Note that BOG has flights that also arrive late and return to MIA overnight.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/28/the-ass ... 72000.html

Related to the Caribbean Airlines runway overrun a few years back. Passenger awarded $272k. Apparently she was the last outstanding suit. They even settled with her husband and daughter before here lol. I wonder how much Caribbean has paid out in total for this?

guyanam wrote:

A388 wrote:

Why would AA chose such inhumane flight times in and out of GEO? Why don't they do daylight flight times like other Caribbean destinations?

A388

GEO is too far. Their morning flights leave MIA after 1030AM and return by 730PM. They cannot do this for GEO. Given that its a less than daily flight they aren't going to drive up costs by overnighting plane/crews. Note that BOG has flights that also arrive late and return to MIA overnight.

Yes, also to catch morning aa connections geo pax have to be in mia early, same for connections heading to geo, afternoon departure is necessary. I am sure once traffic picks up flights will be at better times.

A388 wrote:

Why would AA chose such inhumane flight times in and out of GEO? Why don't they do daylight flight times like other Caribbean destinations?

A388

In addition to what others have said, also keep in mind that GEO is a market that is accustomed to red eye flights. And that several "near" South American destinations have similar schedules into MIA (BOG, LIM, UIO, etc).

Thanks for the explanations. Other destinations may have such flights but it's a bit different in the cases mentioned such as BOG and LIM. While BOG may have similar flight times, they have daylight flights too but GEO will only have one flight. LIM I think is much further away compared to GEO so there I can imagine it is more difficult to have the same flight arrive and depart during daylight in MIA. About getting connections to/from GEO, I can imagine you have more options when arriving in MIA in the morning but when heading to GEO, you're not leaving in the afternoon from MIA but late at night, right? Are there that many flights arriving in MIA at night for attractive onward connections to GEO? In any case, I take it that AA has their reasons for doing it this way. In any case I'm happy for GEO to get this connection.

Someone here also mentioned that AA will be switching all Caribbean routes to the 737-MAX8 but I haven't heard this. I still see the majority of the Caribbean routes being covered by the A319 which I think is a better suited aircraft for many Caribbean routes. I do hope AA will indeed switch most destinations to the MAX because that mean we might get them too even though I hardly see that happening.

A388

A388 wrote:

Thanks for the explanations. Other destinations may have such flights but it's a bit different in the cases mentioned such as BOG and LIM. While BOG may have similar flight times, they have daylight flights too but GEO will only have one flight. LIM I think is much further away compared to GEO so there I can imagine it is more difficult to have the same flight arrive and depart during daylight in MIA. About getting connections to/from GEO, I can imagine you have more options when arriving in MIA in the morning but when heading to GEO, you're not leaving in the afternoon from MIA but late at night, right? Are there that many flights arriving in MIA at night for attractive onward connections to GEO? In any case, I take it that AA has their reasons for doing it this way. In any case I'm happy for GEO to get this connection.

Someone here also mentioned that AA will be switching all Caribbean routes to the 737-MAX8 but I haven't heard this. I still see the majority of the Caribbean routes being covered by the A319 which I think is a better suited aircraft for many Caribbean routes. I do hope AA will indeed switch most destinations to the MAX because that mean we might get them too even though I hardly see that happening.

A388

Re the 7M8, POS already has it, BGI and ANU are getting it later this year. I don't know of any other Caribbean destinations where it's scheduled to go. Re the A319, I'm not sure what you mean by the majority of Caribbean routes. They operate it consistently into GCM and CUR. Outside of that, GND and SKB (overnight flight) may see it on occasion. For pretty much everywhere else, it's the 738.

Thanks Brickell, I was under the impression that more Caribbean destinations get the A319, SXM also gets a mix of A319 and 738. AA still has a decent fleet of 738's that are relatively young and what I remember the MAX will replace the MD80 and early A320's in their fleet. I thought the MAX would eventually be doing more domestic flights within the U.S. but I'm not sure so please correct me on this.

A388

Copa is returning to SXM on June 2nd!

https://www.caribjournal.com/2018/04/01 ... t-maarten/

And American has stated that they will be returning to SXM from CLT by the end of the year and they hope to bring a overnight flight in from CLT in early 2019

aa1818 wrote:

Caribbean airlines seems to be on an expansion drive.

Seeing an add in yesterday’s guardian which I can’t figure out how to post showing a “new link” with “coming soon”

Seems to show a new route between Guyana and Venezuela based on the maps and the outlines.

Cheers,
AA1818

Think I found a way to upload an image...



Cheers,
AA1818

aa1818 wrote:

aa1818 wrote:

Caribbean airlines seems to be on an expansion drive.

Seeing an add in yesterday’s guardian which I can’t figure out how to post showing a “new link” with “coming soon”

Seems to show a new route between Guyana and Venezuela based on the maps and the outlines.

Cheers,
AA1818

Think I found a way to upload an image...



Cheers,
AA1818

The shape looks like Suriname, though not located in a geographically correct place. I would be shocked if BW began GEO Venezuela traffic even as they have drastically scaled back their POS CCS. Given Venezuela's extreme economic problems I doubt that the Guyanese living in eastern Venezuela will be able to afford air travel, and will continue using overland routes. That being the only viable Guyana Venezuela market.

guyanam wrote:

The shape looks like Suriname, though not located in a geographically correct place. I would be shocked if BW began GEO Venezuela traffic even as they have drastically scaled back their POS CCS. Given Venezuela's extreme economic problems I doubt that the Guyanese living in eastern Venezuela will be able to afford air travel, and will continue using overland routes. That being the only viable Guyana Venezuela market.

So here's my Sherlock moment (and remember I had the benefit of seeing this larger):
1) If you look at a map of Suriname, the shape shown is wrong.
2) The shape or the coastline of that land mass is actually shapes exactly like the North Coast of Venezuela south of Trinidad.
3) though the shape of the mass is not Venezuela in its entirety, it seems they've only shaded in one part of Venezuela for the purposes of this teaser.
4) the location of the point to point doesn't mean anything because from the Guyana side the dot is nowhere near Georgetown, so it seems to simply be loosely showing a "link".

Private message me your e-mail address and i'll e-mail you the full sized photo if you're interested, but that land mass is simply a partially shaded in Venezuela, in the correct location as well (south of Trinidad and west of Venezuela).
I agree that a Suriname to Guyana route sounds more feasible, but to me there is no doubt this is depicting a Venezuela to Guyana route.

Cheers,
AA1818

aa1818 wrote:

aa1818 wrote:

Caribbean airlines seems to be on an expansion drive.

Seeing an add in yesterday’s guardian which I can’t figure out how to post showing a “new link” with “coming soon”

Seems to show a new route between Guyana and Venezuela based on the maps and the outlines.

Cheers,
AA1818

Think I found a way to upload an image...



Cheers,
AA1818

Is this the final product

Caribbean Explorer by bewel15, on Flickr

So basically promoting intra regional on its existing routes, PBM and HAV not included.

guyanam wrote:

So basically promoting intra regional on its existing routes, PBM and HAV not included.

That would be disappointing if so.
that ad seemed to hint at a new route showing a new link in South America- though admittedly the route Guyana to Venezuela did seem strange.

Cheers,
AA1818

A388 wrote:

Thanks Brickell, I was under the impression that more Caribbean destinations get the A319, SXM also gets a mix of A319 and 738. AA still has a decent fleet of 738's that are relatively young and what I remember the MAX will replace the MD80 and early A320's in their fleet. I thought the MAX would eventually be doing more domestic flights within the U.S. but I'm not sure so please correct me on this.

A388

It's only a matter of time until UVF gets the MAX, not looking forward to it.
Currently we're the only one in the chain that still gets the B757.

Does anyone know the rationale for the A321 switch to the MAX? I also notice AA's fares seem much higher this year the same ticket I bought last year is now double the price in their basic economy. I do wonder if AA will eventually exit BGI and leave the market for B6.

baje427 wrote:

Does anyone know the rationale for the A321 switch to the MAX? I also notice AA's fares seem much higher this year the same ticket I bought last year is now double the price in their basic economy. I do wonder if AA will eventually exit BGI and leave the market for B6.

If the fares are higher, that's likely the rationale. Less seats, raise fares on a lower cost aircraft. Re leaving BGI, I think the only way AA leaves BGI permanently from MIA is if AA is going out of business.

The only reason for AA to pull out is if it's losing money. Double-daily year-round flights from MIA suggests that AA is doing well.

AA does the same here too. We get twice daily A319 flights from MIA which means less seats and higher fares especially now that they are the only airline on the route. Ticket fares can easily reach around 500 and 600 U.S. Dollars from Curacao to Miami. I still hope we do get the 737MAX here at some point, even though I highly doubt that.

A388

Looks like Air Canada is switching to Rouge for their YUL-BGI-YUL operations for winter 2018/19. The aircraft is also being upgauged to a B767-300 which will ops 3x weekly vs A319's that operated 4x weekly.

LIAT, Winair and Air Antilles have now forged a new codeshare agreement called Caribsky. They are promising to make regional travel more seamless and convenient.

https://www.sxm-talks.com/the-daily-her ... ir-travel/

Let us see if it works this time. Several years ago a similar attempt was made but it soon fizzled out. One plan was for LI to phase out service to FDF/PTP with a code share with Air Caraibe.

windian425 wrote:

Looks like Air Canada is switching to Rouge for their YUL-BGI-YUL operations for winter 2018/19. The aircraft is also being upgauged to a B767-300 which will ops 3x weekly vs A319's that operated 4x weekly.

Interesting I would have thought they would have maintained the A319 on Rouge I dont imagine loads were that great last winter as they never upgraded he flight beyond the A319. Copa and the Barbados Tourinsm Authorities held a welcome meeting the first Copa BGI-PTY flight is already sold out lets see if this route can be a success.

https://www.trymodern.com/3266/caribbea ... e-leg-room

Caribbean seem to be introducing a premium economy seating option? I wonder if this will be a success?

BW sent me an email that they are starting "even more space" similar to JetBlue, from rows 4 to 10 and charging for it. I guess they are going to reconfigure the interior of the 738s. Still they need to fix up their interiors.

Correct GUYAIR707, the changed interior now has 12 B/C seats, 42 in Caribbean Plus & 96 in regular Y, for a total of 150 (So far, only 9Y-JMF is reconfigured).
On another note, B6 will be operating JFK-POS with their 200-seat A321s from 15-30 Jun.

150 seats on the B738 must be one of the lowest density configurations for the type these days.I wonder what is BW’s expected outcome. Are they trying to reduce the number of cabin attendants required on board?

BW600 wrote:

150 seats on the B738 must be one of the lowest density configurations for the type these days.I wonder what is BW’s expected outcome. Are they trying to reduce the number of cabin attendants required on board?

B6 has all economy A320s with 150 seats, so BW cannot pack people the way that AA does. Caribbean people aren't known to be skinny and as we squeeze our cabin bags on the plane we need legroom. The Y+ seats will definitely be worth the low additional price. They need to improve their wifi connectivity though, even if they don't offer elaborate B6 style programming. Complaints about the shabby interiors are common and even BW doesn't deny that this is a valid comment.

With 154 to 150 they will need the same number of cabin attendants.

With the new configuration of 150, it would now be possible for BW to fly with only 3 cabin attendants if they so choose. The previous configuration would have required 4 minimum as required by current regulations. I am not sure what numbers they currently utilize though.

BW600 wrote:

With the new configuration of 150, it would now be possible for BW to fly with only 3 cabin attendants if they so choose. The previous configuration would have required 4 minimum as required by current regulations. I am not sure what numbers they currently utilize though.

Given that they offer meal service on their flights I don't see how they can reduce FAs.

they would be crazy to add more flights to venezuela at the moment... everyone is pulling out.... my venezuelan maid told me airport staff there are stealing food from the catering trucks... I think it is time for them to enter the norther brazil market with affordable fares to caribbean and nother america...

TriniA340 wrote:

Correct GUYAIR707, the changed interior now has 12 B/C seats, 42 in Caribbean Plus & 96 in regular Y, for a total of 150 (So far, only 9Y-JMF is reconfigured).
On another note, B6 will be operating JFK-POS with their 200-seat A321s from 15-30 Jun.

Did they paint the tail of 9Y-JMF while it was in or is it still white?

do you guys know if this is real?

NAX737MAX wrote:

Did they paint the tail of 9Y-JMF while it was in or is it still white?

Still all-white buddy
Believe me, if any tail gets the bird, you'll hear it from me 1st
NB: 9Y-TTB actually DID get a new bird decal installed a few months ago; it was the only badly faded ATR.

TriniA340 wrote:

NAX737MAX wrote:

Did they paint the tail of 9Y-JMF while it was in or is it still white?

Still all-white buddy
Believe me, if any tail gets the bird, you'll hear it from me 1st
NB: 9Y-TTB actually DID get a new bird decal installed a few months ago; it was the only badly faded ATR.

They need to add more color to their livery, instead of that purple best used for funerals. Look at the colors of most Caribbean flags starting with Jamaica and Guyana which are two of their main markets. Even their website is colorful. Their planes look like they belong to Croatia.

TriniA340 wrote:

Correct GUYAIR707, the changed interior now has 12 B/C seats, 42 in Caribbean Plus & 96 in regular Y, for a total of 150 (So far, only 9Y-JMF is reconfigured).
On another note, B6 will be operating JFK-POS with their 200-seat A321s from 15-30 Jun.

Is it a complete cabin upgrade with new seats? Or is it that same old seats just being spaced out?

So now its...
12 J - 38 inch pitch
42 Y+ - 37 inch pitch
96 Y - 32 inch pitch

guyanam wrote:

Given that they offer meal service on their flights I don't see how they can reduce FAs.

True but, in their current configuration 16/138. 2 cabin crew handle Y for the meal service except MIA I think and 2 for J.

Maybe Management thinks 1 cabin crew can handle 12J.

BW610 wrote:

TriniA340 wrote:

Correct GUYAIR707, the changed interior now has 12 B/C seats, 42 in Caribbean Plus & 96 in regular Y, for a total of 150 (So far, only 9Y-JMF is reconfigured).
On another note, B6 will be operating JFK-POS with their 200-seat A321s from 15-30 Jun.

Is it a complete cabin upgrade with new seats? Or is it that same old seats just being spaced out?

So now its...
12 J - 38 inch pitch
42 Y+ - 37 inch pitch
96 Y - 32 inch pitch

guyanam wrote:

Given that they offer meal service on their flights I don't see how they can reduce FAs.

True but, in their current configuration 16/138. 2 cabin crew handle Y for the meal service except MIA I think and 2 for J.

Maybe Management thinks 1 cabin crew can handle 12J.

Note that the purser has other things to do aside from attending to passengers. I think it remains 1 exclusive for J, 2 exclusive for Y and 1 floating as need be. MIA seems to be a high service route with full dinner service as compared to FLL with sandwich service. Maybe they can scale back inflight on the Jamaica FLL routes where there is no service and it is a short sector.