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We've got a great deal on Norwegian flights from LGW to SJU, too good to resist so we're heading back in March. Has anybody got any experience yet with Norwegian? Flight arrives at 18.30 into SJU and the last Cape Air flight is 8pm. I'm wondering if 90 minutes is going to give us enough time to clear immigration and then make that 8pm flight, or do we just relax at the airport hotel and get a morning flight.

Relax and go in the morning. Get a good nights sleep in SJU and enjoy your next day much more in the BVI. If you have checked bags it's simply not doable.
G

Cheers George, I thought it might be a bit tight.

Any recommendations for an Airport hotel? Is the Holiday Inn still there?

Waiting to read your responses, and then hear how you get on. As long as it's no worse than Iberian you'll be OK. I read yesterday that Norwegian are intending to slash current flight prices to US from Europe. Could have some very interesting results. A bit of competition is badly needed.

Assuming you mean the Holiday Inn which is a short cab ride from the airport (in Isla Verde), it is now the Verdanza Hotel. I like it, particularly for the choice of three restaurants on premises.

We did the Iberia flight many times, also Condor. Suggest staying at the airport hotel, especially if your Tortola tickets are separate. You may need that cushion for late arrival from Europe. Also check Seaborne, because their early morning flights can be much cheaper.

We are experimenting with overnighting at the airport hotel in December, even though we could have made it the same night. It's so much easier to arrive during daylight with time to provision.

Try dinner at the Metropole in San Juan; a cheap cab ride and good Cuban food.

Wonder if they would start from SJU return?

I'm flying with them UK to Barcelona for a quick weekend trip next week so will have a little experience to relate after then. Had never heard of them two weeks ago but they seem to be making a big effort to raise their profile right now.

Nick... You can book one way on their website so should be able to start from San Juan, hopefully at the same prices.

Got to be better than Iberia, though you're only doing a short hop. Had the misfortune to have to fly to Ecuador with them this time last year. Longest 12 hours of my life. No seat back entertainment, food to die for - literally, and the most miserable cabin crew in the world. I do hope Norwegian can come up with a good alternative to crossing the pond.

only 250GBP return LON to SJU in November, fantastic price

We've paid 1200GBP for 4 of us LGW to SJU, 50% cheaper than Virgin or BA to Antigua!

Big Virgin fan but the price and opportunity to not give any money to LIAT are too big a difference!

We could have got it cheaper if we travelled with carry on and chose not to have food on the flight or seating assignments, this added 400GBP to the price, but with 2 5 year old that's not an option!

Sue... They say they are flying Dreamliner's on the route to San Juan so the planes are, at least modern. How many people they cram in though may be another matter. Whatever, it is great to have a new, cheap, long-haul airline around.

we are doing Norwegian in Jan. to Martinique from Boston Haven't used them yet. We always stay in the Airport Hotel right in the SJU airport. Clean, reasonable and you are right in the terminal for morning flights!

Amazing!

http://www.norwegian.com/us/flight/lowfa...CFcMWHwodWfMITg

We're flying Norwegian in December, 4.5 hours direct flight Baltimore to Martinique. I will be more than happy to report back our experience with them.

just beware and you might want to call and ask, but once we HAD to stay at the SJU airport and the air conditioning is piped in with the airport's air conditioning system and there are no controls in the room. It was freeeeezing. And our room felt like I was in a basement. Had to wear socks on my hands and my husbands socks and a sweater to bed. The hotel is convenient but not worth that torture. I would call and ask if all the rooms were that way. I kinda remember me asking to change rooms because of this issue and was told all rooms run off the same air conditioning system though.

Just got back from our trip flying with Norwegian Airlines. Great experience. I would definitely fly with them again. 4.5 hours direct flight on a 737. Newer plane and very clean. Impressed with the amount of leg room, didn't feel crammed at all. The seats could of had a little more cushioning but overall they were comfortable and roomy. Free wifi and in flight entertainment on the monitors that drop down from the ceiling. The same programs played on both flights but we enjoyed them. Flights were on time, all Norwegian staff that we had contact with were very pleasant and friendly.

Thanks for that report Kate. I'm glad you had a good flight and experience. I think many of us are waiting to get reports of transatlantic flights. Nine hours flight time is a whole different ball game.

I'll let you know in March!

Must admit we have booked flights for May using BA as usual, but interested for the future of course. Overnighting in Antigua as that helps put us on island time and I would rather sit on a beach or round a pool for a few hours on arrival in Antigua than in the airport, albeit the new terminal, for six hours.

We are flying out in March on BA (avios) to Antigua and then connecting on VI Airlink (not cheap) which I think is a new carrier? They seem a bit strange. The flight codes are for an airline called Heli-air Monaco, and the business address is right next to the Pod parking at Heathrow.

Has anyone used them?

Congratulations on achieving a booking with VI air link. I tried very hard last year to no avail, I think it was fairly new and no one could find out very much at all. I didn't even bother thinking of them this time. Again, please keep us informed as to how that goes. What are the times ex ANU and for your return? May I ask price? Thanks. Sue

Price was £356 pp return, which is about what the same fare from Heathrow to Aberdeen, so I am used to the £5/min flying time.

When I booked, the layover in Antigua was just under 2 hours, but VI changed flights and is now a 3 hour stop. We get to Beef Island at 1845, so should be ok.

Return layover is 4.5 hours, so not as great.

Thanks for that info Dave. Prices higher than LIAT but better timings all round. I don't mind arriving at EIS at about 1900, but LIAT makes it 2130 which is way past my bed time translated to British time! Such a long day of travel. I do hope it all works well for you, which I am sure it will, and look forward to hearing the outcome.
We love BVI, but the journey is always a challenge especially from our home in the West Country, which means we have to leave home the day before flying too. It is worth it all on arrival though. Have a great holiday. Get hooked!

Someone mentioned Condor, which we're thinking about for a trip in March (FRA/SJU), although I'm a little hesitant after reading some online reviews. Does anyone have any firsthand experience with this airline? Any other recommendations for good options from Europe? (We're near VIE.) This is our first experience traveling to BVI from Europe after many years flying from the US, so I'd appreciate any advice.

Kim, after many years flying from Europe, we are now flying from the US. We used Condor twice. Once our flight from Frankfurt was delayed because they had equipment trouble. They put us up in the airport hotel, in an upgraded room, and we left at 5 am the next morning. The planes were older, and I would recommend buying economy plus. The first time we got a great deal because they were just starting the route. We didn't plan a tight connection in San Juan.

Another good option is Air France CDG-SXM, connecting to EIS on Winair. Not sure if you can do it in one day from Vienna, though.

BTW, you met me at your folks' house; i was speaking to your friends in French.

Thanks for the input! I will check out the CDG option. I don't think we're going to find anything in one day, just looking for the most painless route.

Following up on this very old thread to report that we flew from London Gatwick to SJU a few weeks ago and loved it. The plane was very modern and nice and the airline was overall nicer than I was expecting for a budget airline.

Return trip is next week and I'm wondering if anyone knows how early the Norwegian counter opens at SJU? We are checking bags and have several hours layover. Flying to SJU on Cape air ticket book so I don't think we'll be able to check all the way through.

Thanks if anyone can help!

I've flown Condor several times. FRA - ANU on Mondays, then LIAT from ANU - EIS. Condor is Lufthansa's budget airline.
Airplanes are well maintained and the flight is usually on time. The problem is the LIAT connection

It's always the liat connection that messes up the best laid plans, especially outbound.

I flew VI Airlink as well. Two years ago now.. It seemed sketchy during booking, but was fine.
I recall asking here if anyone else had used it. Typically it is paired with Europe-Antigua fares I used BA from Gatwick

I think I paid $125 for the one way ANU-EIS.

If you overnight, rent a car and go over to Luquillo Beach and check out the lobster and Puerto Rican traditional sides at http://www.laparrillapr.com/

We're flying again with Norwegian on Wednesday after lasy years flight. Another really good deal that we couldn't resist. We're on Air Sunshine from PR. Love the 787, onboard comfort is on par with Virgin or BA, entertainment doesn't have a much choice but enough to keep us occupied, plus films, music, games and books downloaded to ipads etc to keep the kids amused. Love the seatback bar and snack service. Flightcrew were incredibly friendly and helpful too.

Incredible little strip center with great restaurants! Many get turned off by the outward appearance of some of the store fronts BUT I would go back in a heartbeat! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Once again Norwegian aced it! Great flight and great service! Air Sunshine is my new favorite way of getting from SJU! No need to join the security queue, friendly check in and a sort of vaguery that just worked and got is here feeling calm. And with only 5 of us to clear immigration at the EIS we were sipping a cold one within 10 minute of landing.