The Caribbean - Liat Airlines

Ok, so we are going to Guyana. Our itenerary is going to be: US air from SYR to SJU then Liat (LI) Airlines from SJU to POS, following day, POS to GEO. Return. GEO/POS overnight in Trinidad each way, then POS back to SJU to connect up with US Air again back to Syracuse. This will be our very first time flying Liat. Anyone out there please share your experiences with us on this carrier. Thanks, James.

I believe that our savvy FT'rs who frequent the Caribbean Forum will be best able to help you. So, I am moving this thread to the Caribbean.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Suggest you check your flight numbers carefully, then go to the Liat website to look at itins. Flying from SJU to POS on LI could involve as many two change of planes and five stops. I am not exaggerating (much).

Liat operates Dash 8. It is essentailly a bus. There is valet (skycheck) service because of very limited storage space for carry-on. Boarding passes have seat numbers, but it is free seating all the way (like Southwest). In-flight service is fruit cocktail and tortilla chips. On shorter flights they don't have time for beverages.

Do you have an early morning departure from POS? Make sure you are at the airport more than 2 hrs early. Check-in is slow, but security is relatively quick. If you've left your hotel really early, you should plan for breakfast at the airport before going through security.

POS hotels: I've tried most. Hilton and Marriott Courtyard are the only two I'll go back to.

Don't want to scare you too much. LI people are very friendly, the aircraft are safe, but not comfortable. SJU-POS is more than two hrs of flying time. In a Dash 8. Make sure you pack your own lunch.
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13F

the following day we are going from POS to GEO, which is a non-stop. I have heard stories that Liat has a difficult time getting luggage to the destination with the passenger, with a non-stop, would you be worried???

Liat lost my luggage twice on one two-week trip. But based on the number of LI flights I have taken, that is not a terrible record.

I would expect a direct flight to be less problematic and I would only worry if your POS-GEO flight is full. They will sacrifice luggage for passengers. Keep the essentials in your carry-on.
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13F

Well said Seat13F_AC_CRJ. I would just change the I am afraid for you comment.

For a small regional carrier it is a decent airline. My only word of caution would be that they track record with regards to departure times isn't enviable. In the island we joke about LIAT standing for Leave Island Any Time.

Outside of that they get the job done.

On the SJU to POS flight you may have the following stops

Option 1

SJU - ANU
ANU - SLU
SLU - POS

Option 2
SJU - ANU
ANU - BGI
BGI - POS

Option 3
SJU - ANU
ANU - SLU
SLU - GND
GND - POS

And it keeps getting progressively worse. Fingers crossed that you are book on one of the more direct flight.

A bit of advice for any future trip to the Caribbean... you may want to try catching Caribbean Airlines www.caribbean-airlines.com in one of their hubs.

Well said Seat13F_AC_CRJ. I would just change the I am afraid for you comment.Point well taken. I should have used a smilie. Post has been edited.
A bit of advice for any future trip to the Caribbean... you may want to try catching Caribbean Airlines www.caribbean-airlines.com in one of their hubs.Agree. Or American Eagle. The ATR-72 is just slightly more comfortable than the Dash-8, but most AE flights are direct.

johannesj -- I always take note of your knowledgeable posts on the Caribbean. I started travelling frequently in the region one year ago and have been almost everywhere with an airport (including AXA, MNI, GDT, EIS, GEO, BZE, etc.)... except St. Kitts! Hope to make it before the end of the year.
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13F

Always happy to see that there is another poster who loves the Caribbean as much as I do. Reminds me I need to update my profile. I relocated to Antigua 2 weeks ago but still do make time to visit St. Kitts/Nevis you will love it.

If any FTers plan to visit Antigua or need some advice do PM or post your request, I would be happy to meet up with you or do research in Antigua if I am not familiar with your request.

LIAT
Late If AT
Luggage In Another Terminal
Leave Island Any Time
Luggage Is Always Tardy

I live in the region and refuse to fly them. AA, MQ, BB, YI, and 9K are the limit of who regularly I fly in the region. UA when I can get on an STT/SJU itin. BW... MAYBE, but I'd still rather not. Their reputation isn't the greatest in the region. I'd like to try WM once

We also love the Caribbean, but have seen so much of it, for example seven days from now we are going to Aruba for eight nights/nine days. I am expecting a good vacation, but nothing too interesting. Sounds like Reno in the caribbean to me. The Guyana thing is new, we have decided that it was time to spread out, explore new destinations. Been to PAP, POP, CAP, SJU, PSE, STT, EIS, POS, MBJ, KIN, going to AUA, CUR, GND, seen a lot of it, time to check out South America.

...Been to PAP, POP, CAP, SJU, PSE, STT, EIS, POS, MBJ, KIN, going to AUA, CUR, GND, seen a lot of it, time to check out South America.For some Caribbean adventure, try MNI next time. Short 600 m runway on top of a hill. And the twin otter doesn't even use half of it to take off or land.
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13F

For some Caribbean adventure, try MNI next time. Short 600 m runway on top of a hill. And the twin otter doesn't even use half of it to take off or land.
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13F

Ever fly into SAB? Now THAT's a runway to remember! 400 meters long, 200 ft drop-offs at either end...

Ever fly into SAB? Now THAT's a runway to remember! 400 meters long, 200 ft drop-offs at either end...No yet. But the next time I have a weekend layover in the SXM area, I plan to check it out.
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13F

No yet. But the next time I have a weekend layover in the SXM area, I plan to check it out.
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13F

The people are incredibly friendly, and the topography is spectacular. If you're a scuba diver, it doesn't get much better than there...