Air Jamaica - A Fine Caribbean Airline
Written: Aug 02 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nonstop service to Jamaica from major US cities, First Class pampering, In-flight Meals
Cons: Airline organization, A310 and older aircraft, ticketing, website and booking, Jamaican airports
The Bottom Line: Air Jamaica is a pretty good airline if you don't encounter any problems. Although they are rough around the edges, they have efficient newer planes and provide good service.
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| fctravel's Full Review: Air Jamaica |
My family and I chose to fly Air Jamaica to Jamaica in February of this year. They had the best First Class airfare from New York JFK to Montego Bay, Jamaica of $850 per person.
We did book this vacation extremely early – in August of last year – about six months early. We visited Air Jamaica’s website, www.airjamaica.com. The website does not have booking capabilities, so it links you to Expedia where you can book all of their flights. Booking was a snap on Expedia. We booked their nonstop noon flight from JFK to MBJ and then opted for the connecting flight on the way back – we connected in Kingston so we would fly the A340-300 on the way back to New York City. They emailed me a confirmation and all was good.
About one month after booking, I started to get an email per week from Expedia saying that I had a schedule change or flight change. In total, I had six schedule changes and one flight change. I guess that’s what you get for booking early!
Also, during the time I booked my reservation and the actual trip, Air Jamaica changed their whole booking and flight reservation system. One day, I called just to check on my reservation and gave them the old confirmation code. They said I didn’t have a reservation in the system and I got forwarded to a manager. The manager finally figured out the problem and asked for my last name to put into the system, and sure enough, my reservation popped up. I also got a new locator code!
When the morning of our flight rolled around, we headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The commute from where we live in Connecticut is not that bad – about two hours. We arrived the airport two and one-half hours early, Air Jamaica’s recommended check-in time. When we got inside of the terminal, we noticed its age. It was extremely old and dirty in some ways with lots of remodeling going on. We found the Air Jamaica check in desk and there were only a few customers waiting to check in. We went up to the First Class check in area, which was empty. We had trouble understanding the agent that checked us in since she was Puerto Rican. She was very helpful, but not efficient. She was on the slow side. She finally checked our bags and marked them with First Class tags and then directed us to the Delta Air Lines Business Elite lounge. (Air Jamaica uses Delta’s lounge as their First Class lounge because they are code-share partners.) We went through a long security line and finally reached the lounge. The lounge was very nice and had nice amenities.
About 45 minutes prior to our flight, we left the lounge and headed for the gate. The gate area was quite small, and quite cramped.
Air Jamaica flight 014 boarded right on time. They invited First Class passengers to board first, as usual. We got up and were the first to board the Airbus 320 aircraft named “Spirit of Barbados”. When we got on the aircraft, we took our seats. We were assigned the bulkhead – 1A, 1B, and 1C. These seats were a bit stiff, but roomy. Air Jamaica’s A320 First Class cabins are configured with 12 colorful seats, with about 38”㫀” seat pitch.
NOTE: Coach is cramped on all AJ’s A320 flights.
Once all settled, we were greeted and offered pre-takeoff drinks. There were two flight attendants serving First Class, one very nice and cheery and one on the rude and non-talkative side.
Once in the air (and after an on time take off), we were offered two choices for lunch - a chicken dish or a fish dish. We all opted for the chicken, which was very good. First off, we were served a smoked wrapped salmon appetizer with a butter/cream filling which was superb. The main entrée was the chicken, a potato, and mixed vegetables. The dessert was also excellent – tiramisu served with either coffee or tea. The service was excellent onboard this flight – very efficient. All of the courses were served on china and hot towels were also offered.
NOTE: Coach class meals on Air Jamaica are also supposed to be very good. Champagne flights are offered where there is free champagne and Red-Stripe beer offered in coach.
During lunch, the movie began. The TV screens were standard A320 screens that lowered automatically from the overheads. There were many interruptions during the movie, as the sound would go off for 10-minute random periods. The actual picture would also be scratchy at times as well.
After the movie, it was only minutes before we were in for an exciting landing at Montego Bay’s Norman Manley Airport. It is exciting because landing in Jamaica is always right near water!
When we landed, we parked at the terminal and stairs were put up to the aircraft door to deplane the passengers.
Once we walked inside of MBJ Airport, we noticed that it is not AT ALL modern. It was not air-conditioned either.
We headed to the baggage area where the priority First Class bags were already there.
Customs were not hard, as we were the first ones there.
So far so good!
On our return trip, we checked in, once again, two and one-half hours early at Montego Bay-Norman Manley International Airport. Air Jamaica had a whole separate area for First Class check-in.
The agents here were a little disorganized. They didn’t have the proper tags for baggage and they were a bit disheveled. We finally checked in and they directed us to the Love Bird First Class Lounge.
We were excited about the lounge as it had air-conditioning and had luxurious chairs and couches to sit on. It was also very nicely decorated and was basically empty. We took advantage of all the amenities and had some drinks from the bar and watched TV. The supervisor at the desk alerted us when it was time to board our next flight.
We headed the boarding “gate” and boarded right away. The boarding process here in Jamaica was EXTREMELY disorganized and it was crowded and hot as well.
The flight, operated by an older Airbus 310, was headed for Kingston, Jamaica as we booked a connecting flight on the way back so we could fly on the A340-300 from Kingston to JFK.
When we boarded the aircraft, we noticed that the cabin was extremely hot. The cabin was also deteriorating. The seats were older with blue worn leather. The seat pitch was very good, about 45”. On the other hand, the seat width was horrible – about 18”. Air Jamaica’s A310 aircraft are configured with 18 First Class seats, and 200 coach.
We took off a little late. After take off, we weren’t even offered a drink, as the flight to Kingston is only about 25 minutes.
We landed in Kingston, and then we went to the First Class lounge. Once again, we were lucky as it had A/C and comfy seats, etcetera.
About 10 minutes before boarding, we headed to the “gate”. We were cleared to board and headed for the stairs!
Once on board, we took our seats. Now this is what you call Premium First Class! The seats were 21” wide, and had a whopping 65” seat pitch. All of the seats were electronic and folded out into a bed – similar to US Airways Envoy Class seats. Also, the seats were equipped with personal TV monitors.
Air Jamaica uses one A340-300 for the New York-Kingston route and the others are used on the Europe routes. The Premium Love Bird First Class has 12 seats in a 2x2x2 configuration, the Business Class cabin has 35 seats in a 2x3x2 configuration, and the coach class cabin has with 251 seats in a 2x4x2 configuration.
We were totally enjoying our wonderful seats and were offered our pre-takeoff drinks. The flight attendant was extremely pleasant.
Our “Spirit of New York” A343 took off right on time.
Once in-flight, we had the choice of Prime Rib, Sautéed Shrimp and Pasta, or Seasoned Chicken for dinner. I opted for the Sautéed Shrimp and Pasta while my sister opted for the Prime Rib and my mom chose the Seasoned Chicken. All of the meals started out with a mixed green salad, followed by a bean salad and then the main entrée. The desert was cheesecake with coffee or tea.
The meal service was outstanding on this flight.
We enjoyed our own personal TV movies for the rest of the flight and we landed safely at JFK.
When we deplaned, baggage was first and customs was fast.
All in all, Air Jamaica is a good airline. We had no real problems with any parts of the trip. Baggage was always there and the flights were basically on time +/-10 minutes. Onboard service was good and we were lucky not to have experienced a cancelled flight and waiting in a hot airport.
Good job, Air Jamaica.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
fctravel
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Reviews written: 4
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