TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Cape Air Strikes Again…Beware

Yesterday after arriving from Philadelphia we were supposed to connect to Cape Air flight to Tortola. When we arrived to check in we were told the 4:05 p.m. flight was canceled. Excuse was some b.s. reason like operational. Of course no other seats available for yesterday. Currently awaiting a flight on Silver Air. Keeping our fingers crossed. Have read many other stories on TTOL regarding similar situations. Be prepared is all I can say. Cape Air was kind enough to give us a voucher for the night at the San Juan Airport Hotel, which we voluntarily would not have not stayed at. Just don’t think the island hoppers have the backup these days to deal with unforeseen maintenance issues. It’s an adventure!

Wow. 2nd Cape Air cancellation I've heard about in a week. Very unusual for them! I specifically paid more to fly Cape Air last trip because they very rarely cancel. They've been known to fly with only 1 passenger; something nobody else does.

Let us know how Silver works out. We will be connecting to them on Jan 1.

Since you had to leave the airport, did you have to Complete a Travel Declaration?

As Jason says, they rarely cancel. This past Christmas Eve I flew out of Tortola on Cape Air. It was around 5 pm and the last flight of the day. I saw the plane taxi up and then realized I was the only passenger. I was extremely grateful they kept the flight on. The pilot was great company, an Italian now living in the US. There were lofty heavy rain clouds at the PR end of the flight that we sometimes flew around and sometimes went straight through ...a rich and fulsome scene. When I got to SJU a Cape airline employee walked with me all the way through the airport directing me on everything I would need to do before connecting to my flight.

Cape Air is the most reliable option. Things do however happen and aircraft break.

As others have said, I certainly wouldn't hold this against Cape Air. It happens to all airlines. Cape Air has always been one of the most reliable we've ever used. Used them both in the BVI and up here in MA, they are great to deal with.

But the warning to have a backup plan with the way things are today is a good warning. And no one would choose to stay at the airport hotel for a planned trip to Puerto Rico. But it is the best place to stay if you are at the airport and need a room for the night. We've used it a number of times.