Air Guadeloupe?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA, US CP, SPG PLAT
Programs: US Chairman, SPG PLAT, National Elite Exec
Posts: 176
Air Guadeloupe?
Any one know anything about this airline. Seems like connecting from to this airline at SJU is the only convienient way to get to Martinique from Philadelphia.
Any info about the airline would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
Any info about the airline would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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__________________________________________
Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Bend, Oregon, USA -- Latinpass500K, Hilton Gold
Posts: 205
We flew this airline from Miami to Guadeloupe eleven months ago. No problems, okay service.
Someone mentioned that "lost" luggage has been a problem with the airline, but we had no problems with ours -- both checked and carry-on.
Someone mentioned that "lost" luggage has been a problem with the airline, but we had no problems with ours -- both checked and carry-on.
#3




Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,961
I've used Air Guadeloupe several times. It's a pity you can't buy tickets on their website (at least you couldn't 6 months ago). They're a little amateurish, but with small planes (some are STOL; Short Takeoff/Landing, such as to St. Barth's) they're about average for a "commuter" type airline. Don't be surprised by a short delay, but don't also be surprised if they accomodate you on an earlier flight, if they have a seat. We've never had difficulty with the staff-- they try pretty hard. Finding them there, now that's another matter.
In all, I've got nothing bad to say about them, after probably 10 flights. Your boarding pass also regularly has a good offer for rental cars, which I've used twice, getting about 100FF off per day in the off season--- about the best discount available in the French caribbean.
Have a good trip!
In all, I've got nothing bad to say about them, after probably 10 flights. Your boarding pass also regularly has a good offer for rental cars, which I've used twice, getting about 100FF off per day in the off season--- about the best discount available in the French caribbean.
Have a good trip!
#4
formerly known as RK7




Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Grass Valley SMF
Programs: Many
Posts: 722
We've visited Guadeloupe three times in the past 8 years and have used Air Guadeloupe to get to Iles de Saintes from there. Other than typical "island time" delays I would highly recommend the airline. The pilots have to be fairly competent to get into some of the postage stamp runways in the French Caribbean. The flight into les Saintes is always a thrill as the pilot flies over a mountain and quickly banks left as he quickly brings it down to the runway at which time you look up and see the Atlantic waves crashing at the end of the runway.
#5
Original Member

Join Date: May 1998
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage (Exec Plat), United, Delta
Posts: 270
Air Guadeloupe is no more - sort of.
What has happened is that several French West Indies airlines - Air Guadeloupe, Air Martinique, Air St. Barth, and Air Caraibes - have combined and now operate under the Air Caraibes banner. In theory, this streamlines their operations and provides a full-fledged regional airline.
Most of the planes still have their old paint jobs, and my travel agent told me last month that computers still show flights under the old names (even though the merger was announced in July).
I don't think you should be particularly worried, but after flying the individual units a number of times over the years, I wouldn't exactly call them an all-pro outfit either. Your options to Martinique, however, are limited (Air France from Miami, LIAT from neighboring islands). The Air Caraibes personnel at the St. Martin airport are awful.
Bon voyage!
What has happened is that several French West Indies airlines - Air Guadeloupe, Air Martinique, Air St. Barth, and Air Caraibes - have combined and now operate under the Air Caraibes banner. In theory, this streamlines their operations and provides a full-fledged regional airline.
Most of the planes still have their old paint jobs, and my travel agent told me last month that computers still show flights under the old names (even though the merger was announced in July).
I don't think you should be particularly worried, but after flying the individual units a number of times over the years, I wouldn't exactly call them an all-pro outfit either. Your options to Martinique, however, are limited (Air France from Miami, LIAT from neighboring islands). The Air Caraibes personnel at the St. Martin airport are awful.
Bon voyage!

