Travelling to CAY
Aug 4, 2006 | 5:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: QF Gold, SQ, AA, HA
Posts: 126
Travelling to CAY
This is not entirely a oneworld question but I think (hope?) it's appropriate for the forum.
In late October I am hoping to travel to CAY (Cayenne, French Guiana) to watch a rocket launch, in conjunction with an LONE4. Sadly no OW airlines fly anywhere remotely close, but TX (Air Caraibes) and AF both fly there. I am currently thinking of using my OWE segments to get me to FDF then flying TX FDF-CAY-FDF.
Does anyone have any experience travelling to CAY? I am trying to minimise costs, so the AF MIA-CAY flight (at roughly US$1000) doesn't appeal, but at the same time many OW Caribbean flights only seem to be 3-4 times weekly which can make for some icky scheduling.
In late October I am hoping to travel to CAY (Cayenne, French Guiana) to watch a rocket launch, in conjunction with an LONE4. Sadly no OW airlines fly anywhere remotely close, but TX (Air Caraibes) and AF both fly there. I am currently thinking of using my OWE segments to get me to FDF then flying TX FDF-CAY-FDF.
Does anyone have any experience travelling to CAY? I am trying to minimise costs, so the AF MIA-CAY flight (at roughly US$1000) doesn't appeal, but at the same time many OW Caribbean flights only seem to be 3-4 times weekly which can make for some icky scheduling.
Aug 4, 2006 | 2:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,467
Try POS or BGI
You could also go via POS or BGI to PBM (Suriname); then overland. Otherwise, FDF is going to be your best bet.
If you have enough Delta Skymiles, CAY is only a 35k award from anywhere in the US.
If you have enough Delta Skymiles, CAY is only a 35k award from anywhere in the US.
Aug 4, 2006 | 4:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,122
Cheapest option is probably via POS and PBM, least hassle would probably be the direct MIA-CAY AF flight...
AA flies to Port of Spain (POS) twice a day from Miami, one of these on a 767-300 (which would be very nice on this long flight if you can upgrade), and BA flies to Tobago (TAB) from London Gatwick (via Antigua but a direct flight so one segment only) and POS-TAB is a quick 50 mile flight. Also, flying to POS instead of FDF, you'd most likely save 2 LONE4 segments, since FDF can only be accessed from SJU and then only 4 days a week.
BWIA (BW) and Surinam Airways (PY) both fly POS-PBM, and fares start at $175 roundtrip for PY, $205 for BW. Then PY has published fares starting at $160 roundtip PBM-CAY. PY POS-CAY fares start at $474, so it seems like you'd be better off getting separate tickets.
However, the timing of all these flights is horrible... POS-PBM flights all arrive PBM at 01:00. PBM-CAY departs at 14:45 according to their website , but for some reason they don't appear on reservation systems (looks like they may be codeshares operated by a different airline). Then the return arrives PBM at 14:05, and flights to POS depart at 04:00 or 06:00. And to make things more complicated, everything on PY and BW operates only on certain days of the week...
AA flies to Port of Spain (POS) twice a day from Miami, one of these on a 767-300 (which would be very nice on this long flight if you can upgrade), and BA flies to Tobago (TAB) from London Gatwick (via Antigua but a direct flight so one segment only) and POS-TAB is a quick 50 mile flight. Also, flying to POS instead of FDF, you'd most likely save 2 LONE4 segments, since FDF can only be accessed from SJU and then only 4 days a week.
BWIA (BW) and Surinam Airways (PY) both fly POS-PBM, and fares start at $175 roundtrip for PY, $205 for BW. Then PY has published fares starting at $160 roundtip PBM-CAY. PY POS-CAY fares start at $474, so it seems like you'd be better off getting separate tickets.
However, the timing of all these flights is horrible... POS-PBM flights all arrive PBM at 01:00. PBM-CAY departs at 14:45 according to their website , but for some reason they don't appear on reservation systems (looks like they may be codeshares operated by a different airline). Then the return arrives PBM at 14:05, and flights to POS depart at 04:00 or 06:00. And to make things more complicated, everything on PY and BW operates only on certain days of the week...
Aug 4, 2006 | 9:21 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: QF Gold, SQ, AA, HA
Posts: 126
Thanks for the replies. No Skyteam status or miles unfortunately, so the Delta idea is out. I did consider the PBM option but as you mention MiamiBeach the schedule is pretty disgusting. It appears that TX operate CAY-PTP 2-3x daily and AA flies PTP-SJU daily .. price is basically the same as the FDF-CAY return so I'd say that's my best bet so far.