New Flights to Exuma

Following the grand opening of Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas, three airline carries have added flights to Exuma International Airport (GGT) in Great Exuma, Bahamas from major gateways in the US and Canada.

In addition to existing daily flights on American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Bahamas Air, new flights to Great Exuma include:

Air Canada: Launched March 7, 2010 with weekly non-stop service from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
AC 1764; YYZ to GGT, Sundays 7:20am – 10:45am
AC 1765; GGT to YYZ, Sundays, 11:45am – 3:15pm

American Airlines: Starting June 11, 2010 with one additional flight, twice a week from Miami International Airport (MIA)
AA 4901; MIA to GGT, Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00pm – 8:29pm
AA 4902; GGT to MIA, Saturdays & Sundays, 7:30am – 8:58am

Delta Airlines: Beginning June 13, 2010 with flights twice a week from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
DL 5607; ATL to GGT, Wednesdays & Sundays, 10:55am – 1:17pm
DL 5606; GGT to ATL, Wednesdays & Sundays, 2:00pm – 4:34pm

Sandals Emerald Bay, a 500-acre beachfront resort set on Great Exuma, one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful Out Islands, is the fourteenth Sandals Resort and, expanding on the company’s Luxury Included concept, the first to offer a championship, Greg Norman-designed golf course, world-class marina and professionally-trained butlers in all 183 plush rooms and suites. The new Sandals Emerald Bay also features gourmet dining in a choice of five à la carte restaurants, premium brand wine and spirits, land and watersports, including scuba diving for certified divers, gratuities and airport transfers. Additionally, the resort boasts an exclusive Red Lane Spa, featuring 17 treatment rooms, offering premier services that embrace the best of the Caribbean region.

Copied from Gemini Travels

Delta: Atlanta to Exuma direct

EXUMA ANYONE? Delta is launching new twice-weekly flights between ATL and Exuma in the Bahamas on June 13. Talk about a pretty place! Not a bad idea for SkyMiles redemptions. Intro fares are just $129 each way.

To Exuma by Private Plane

Nearly every day, our weather is as clear as our water. The cumulus clouds dot the sky at around 2,500 feet in the morning, rising to 7,500 feet in the afternoon. These are the perfect conditions for flying. Wherever you’re headed, just about every vacation spot on The Islands Of The Bahamas has an airport where you can safely land.  Plan a trip. File a flight plan. Take off. Touch down. Refuel your soul.

Private Pilots Bill Of Rights

*No Landing fee—for single engine private planes under 6,000 lbs. on a non-commercial trip at any government-owned airport.  Landing Fee may apply at private airports.

*No Overtime Customs and Immigration Fee—for private aircraft visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas where the pilot declares that he/she does not receive any remuneration and the flight is for recreational purposes.

*No Transire—(C38) is needed for private pilots, cruising through The Islands Of The Bahamas for pleasure (a copy of the C7A will suffice.

*No Tie Down Fee—at any government owned airport.  Tie Down Fees may apply at private airports.

*A Flight Plan must be filed—activate prior to entering The Islands Of The Bahamas and closed after landing.  When leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas it is mandatory to file a new flight plan.

*Remote Communications Outlet now available–making radio contact throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas is now easier with the recently restored RCO system.

2010 will be the year of the travel deal

According to Christopher Elliott, travel columnist for msnbc.com, 2010 will be even better for travel deals than 2009. This is a prediction that goes against all others as the economy has shown signs of flatlining lately, a leading indicator of improvement. According to Elliott, airlines will continue to suffer and hotels will continue to go toe to toe on deals by adding one night (see Sheraton’s stay second night 50% off) or spa deals as travelers surveyed still plan on spending less time on vacation than years past.

Where to find these deals:
1. Hotels. Many hotels are opening new properties an dwillbe desperate to fill the space. Sandals is opening in Exuma in January 2010, keep your eyes open for deals there.

2. Airlines. Airlines are cutting flights, packing people in and cutting down on extras such as free baggage and in-flight entertainment. Next year, airlines will continue to hurt and the usual lulls throughout the year will be prime time for traveling cheap. Summer in Exuma is slower, perfect time to find good flight deals and bring the family or escape from reality. An additional plus: the water is even warmer than usual, perfect time to learn how to dive.

3. Resorts may not have their normal blackout dates. Dates when specials don’t carry over may not apply next year. be on the lookout for bargains around holidays.

4. Cruises. Cruises need to maximize capacity to keep their boats afloat. Look for the very best deals early 2010.

5. ” ‘Social media has quickly become a new sales and loyalty channel for airlines,’ says Lufthansa spokeswoman Jennifer Urbaniak.” Spots like this very blog often post good deals and more and more travel related companies are relying on this as a form of advertising.

6. Hidden hotspots. Places that may be considered expensive are not generally being used as much in these times. Islands in the Caribbean like Exuma that are home to celebrities may be considered too pricey at first glance. But with flights at around $300 and exceptionally reasonable lodging available, these spots may be offering even more deals than normal.

Source

Plink: http://wp.me/pDAHZ-15

American Airlines sale to the Caribbean

American Airlines announces their new sale: Low Fares from South Florida to the Caribbean!

Between September 28, 2009 and December 10, 2009, American will be slashing their prices all over the Caribbean, but unfortunately not including the Bahamas. That being said, these tickets are so good that I couldn’t miss yelling about it.  Flights from Miami to Costa Rica for $79, from Miami to Barbados for $149 (that’s an amazing prce for those of you not familiar), Jamaica for $99, St Kitts for $164… the list goes on.

These flights of course have the restrictions that you would expect: Monday – Thursday, 2-day minimum stay, blah blah blah… but here’s a big one: All travel must be booked by September 28th, 2009.

Source

Plink: http://wp.me/pDAHZ-10

USA Today: Low-cost carriers battle for the Caribbean

Low-cost carriers battle for the Caribbean

Found here: http://tinyurl.com/lnogcb

On the same day that JetBlue announced that it was filing for Department of Transportation approval for new routes to Montego Bay, Jamaica (from Boston and Orlando), rival AirTran made a similar bid to expand southward.

The Orlando-based carrier wants to launch service to three Caribbean destinations from some of its busiest U.S. airports. If approved by the DOT, AirTran would begin flights to Nassau, Bahamas and Montego Bay from Atlanta, Baltimore and Orlando. It would also add Aruba, but only from Atlanta and Orlando. Service would begin later this year and early in 2010, in time for the peak winter travel season in the Caribbean.

On Tuesday, USATODAY.com columnist David Grossman wrote about how budget airlines are increasingly in direct competition, and these latest moves underscore that point. In its account of the joint filings, Flightglobal.com notes that “Schedules in Innovata also show AirTran would compete with fellow low-cost carrier JetBlue on flights from Orlando to Nassau, and its rival Delta on flighs from Atlanta to Montego Bay, Aruba and Nassau.”

In the battle for the Caribbean, it should be noted that JetBlue has a solid head start with existing or soon-to-launch service to Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados,  Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia and St. Maarten (plus Cancun, Costa Rica and Colombia). AirTran currently serves only San Juan and Cancun.

On a whimsical side note, the Air Capital Insider blog out of Wichita came up with this top-shelf headline announcing AirTran’s application: Aruba, Jamaica, AirTran wants to take ya. –Ben Abramson

Plink: http://wp.me/pDAHZ-O