TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Recommendation for SJU - EIS flights

In July 2025 since we're using Delta miles we're probably flying to SJU instead of STT. There are 5 of us and I'm looking for recommendations of what airline / charter to use for the final leg.

We flew Cape Air in the very distant past and loved it but pricewise I don't see them as an option.

You don't say what your budget is, but I would look at Silver Air, and compare to a charter.

Tradewind Aviation!!!

We fly Delta from DTW. I have found, in the long run, it is more cost effective to fly to STT. After having many cancelled flight issues and lost luggage with Silver I would not trust travel to them. Cape or private air charter if you fly to SJU (have not tried Tradewind so can’t recommend them).

We're using (a bunch) of miles to take the trip, hoping to get all 5 of us in first class (thanks to Amex points). The miles for Houston to St. Thomas appear to be almost double the miles to San Juan and there are half the number of flights to St. Thomas. So since the big leg is basically free, our budget for the puddle jump leg is flexible.

I can't yet see flights on Silver Air for our return trip (will open up on Saturday if they follow the pattern used by Delta) so will check them out. I've thought about a charter but coming from SJU, I gather it is a lot more than going from the other Puerto Rico airport. After a long day of flying, hauling luggage through SJU is bad enough without having to also deal with a taxi ride. Sill I'll check out the charter options.

Understood. Silver really let us down several times so never again (was a code share with Delta and they were no help either). Have used Cape with no issues and Island Birds to/from SJU.

We have found Silver very good, and especially like their new planes. We have neighbors whose experiences have not been so good. Unfortunately your options are limited. Cape Air no longer sells their coupons, so it's full fare only. InterCaribbean has periods of abominable service. Tradewinds has a very limited schedule to Beef.

Have you contacted Delta to see if they have a ticket all the way to Beef, maybe in premium economy? At least that way your luggage will be transferred. Unless you're traveling carry-on only, you will need to pick up and recheck your bags.

Trying to book all the way to EIS online with miles doesn't seem to want to work and I'm not sure I could mix first class on the main flight with coach on the Silver flight. I called them today but didn't want to wait 20+ minutes on hold. I'll try that later. I'm planning to ask if I can ticket the flight to SJU with miles and pay for the Sliver leg.

I just looked, and a round trip economy ticket on American from Houston to Beef would be cheaper than the RT ticket from SJU to Beef on Cape Air. We love Business Class, but we love getting to the BVI faster even more.

My son and I are both 6'6" so the option of flying in first class or Comfort+, even though the Delta flights are much longer timewise, makes for a nice start to our planned 10 day Moorings charter. I'm checking with Island Birds for a charter price and will look to Silver as an alternative.

I wish Cape Air was competitive. Years ago we used them for a trip right after American abandoned the route. As is my wont to do I booked the flight very early. As the travel dates got closer the Cape Air connection for our EIS to SJU leg disappeared. I contacted them and was told not to worry, they'd put in a special flight for us. So basically we got a charter return for what was then reasonable Cape Air fares.

I just went back to the new Silver with the new planes very reluctantly this year for a solo flight and was pleasantly surprised and would use them again...IC too unreliable IMHO

Louis, not sure how you are attempting to reach Island Birds. I have never had much luck via email. Nadia's cell is 284-495-2002. She's pretty good about answering or returning calls.

Another option from SJU I just read about is Caribbean Airlines is running limited routes to Beef Island beginning in October. I've never flown with them. So cannot speak to their reliability.

I sent an email to Island Birds and got a quote back right away. Quote was good for 48 hours so I sent back a note saying I wouldn't have my main flight information until Saturday. I also asked for a quote out of Isla Grande instead of SJU but have not heard back. Price is high but charter option is intriguing.

I should have my Delta frequent flier flights nailed down this weekend and will work on the final leg then.

Charter is great if you come close to 5 or 9 people...remember with charter ot inlcude $50 dpearture fee per person covered by regular ticket

I tried to use "reply" but that function doesnt seem to work and of course it could just be me

We are 5. They wanted passenger weights to see if there would be luggage restrictions.

I pulled the trigger on an Island Birds charter out of Isla Grande. Nadia was very helpful and quick to respond. She even apologized for the delay in one response due to this little tropical storm that hit.

I was trying (without having to wait forever on hold with Delta) to get an idea of what it would cost to go Houston to SJU on miles and buy the SJU to EIS leg. My methodology probably isn't good but the difference was staggering. Flying HOU - EIS was $700 more a ticket than HOU - SJU. For Comfort+ it was $1,200. Multiply that by 5 passengers and the charter makes a lot of sense. Their code share appears to be Cape Air. Non-refundable Silver flights were much lower but not the fully refundable.

Now I just have to be able to get first class seats with miles on the HOU - SJU leg. I'll be up early Saturday when the trip for the return date opens up. I hope Delta has operators available at that time!

How much did you save IG vs SJU?

There are 5 of us on the "big" plane and it was $850 cheaper to fly in and out of IG.

Great...safe travels my friend

We use Island birds every year. The best part about the return is you will clear in at the FBO terminal. They then transport your party all the way to the counter.

The FBO at SJU or Isla Grande?

At SJU