Soaring to new heights?
Written: Jan 12 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Generally less expensive, lots of places to fly into/outoff
Cons: the 3-2-1 theory. The Mobay hub, not really Air J's fault though
The Bottom Line: For the most part Air J provides great service on the ground and in the air, ok, maybe just good service on the ground
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| petropavlovsk's Full Review: Air Jamaica |
For the most part I live in Jamaica; i.e I'm either there, in The Bahamas or in Jamaica's 15th parish, Florida. Most of my flights on Air Jamaica last under an hour & a half. The good news is that they pretty much cover Florida (like I said its not the 27th state but the 15th Parish) and most of the Caribbean.
Worst Experience
I must say I have heard some horror stories about travelling Air J, but the worst thing to happen to me on Air J occured when I was travelling to Orlando through Montego Bay. I was heading to my first semester of school. The flight departed Kingston on time, arrived in Mobay and we disembarked. So we were waiting in the intransit lounge when the first of many flight delays were announced. Typical. After waiting for about an hour or so, we were given meal vouchers, then after another hour we were told that we were going to be put up in a hotel for the night. The bad part abut this was hearing how a lady had been stuck in Mobay tring to get to London for the past 16 hours. She was almost in tears. Anyway, next morning they had a rep in the hotel for us (now generally anytime a rep comes to see you, its bad news) luckily she was just checkin on us and said everything was on schedule. The london lady was there also, they got her out on a flight through Miami. So we arrived in Orlando a day late.
The Theory
That experience led me to the 3-2-1 theory, It goes as follows, if you arrive at the airport as you should (i.e 2 hours before) there will be a 3 in 10 chance the flight will be delayed. a 2 in 10 chance that you will wait for more than 30 minutes, and a 1 in 10 chance you overnight.
Aside from delays which generally don't last over 20 minutes in my experience the only other 'bad' experience I encountered occured when they canceled a flight from Miami and didn't contact me (it was canceled 5 hours before departure time) they gave me a choice of waiting for the next flight or going via AA. So I want via AA.
Baggage & stuff
How could I forget lost baggage!!! the worst place to misplace your luggage (or rather, have your luggage lost)is Norman Manley INTL in Kingston, the luggage hall is so drab and ugh!!!! Anyway, happened only once, seems to be a recurring problem if you change planes in Mobay, generally lost luggage gets to its destination by the next morning, if u came on an early flight it might get there right after you!!
Also, baggage requirements are quite relaxed in comparison to say delta or AA. I reckon this is because of how we Jamaicans travel (rumour has it my Grandma took a divan on as hand luggage). You are allowed two carry-ons, plus an extra bag/handbag/briefcase/laptop bag etc. And during some parts of the year 3 checked items.
The Yummies
In terms of food, I really cant compare since the one time I flew AA down I only got peanuts and a soda; nothing I would begin to start comparing with a meal. Lunches and suppers are generally great, once in a while superb. Breakfasts are typical airline food.
Entertainment
You wont find movies on the short hops I take, they generally show a half hour inflight magazine on Air Jamaica's destinations, its actually quite nice. The earphones/headsets are free thats great, although for a frequent traveller like myself some rotation on the music would prove to be nice.
heaven
my best experience? Being bumped to first class when i was travelling as an unaccompanied minor. They gave me that little lovebird sticker and the cute service rep held my hand all the way to the baggage claim!!!
usually
but usually my flights on Air J are pretty mundane. The worst part is generally the traffic in Kingston. I'm always there at least an hour and a half before; I get on the plane, we take off, I marvel at Jamaica's beauty, then we cross over Cuba and everytime I say to myself "I'm gonna visit havana next month" (I'm yet to go) and we land.
so here are the statistics:
in the past 3 years I have taken Air J 17 times, been delayed for a day or more once, been delayed for an hour or more twice, on time (i.e little or no delay less than 5 miutes or so) the other 14 times.
no frequent flyer miles here
Before I go, the frequent flyer thing is quite good too, u take seven rountrips and the 8th is free (im sure it used to be you take six & the 7th is free) when I got to the 5th ticket they tried to give me an upgrade to first class for the next three tickets, which I would pay at normal prices. First class me foot!! on these short hops the extra space acquired in first class doesn't mean much!! i'm quite comfy in economy, heck i'd be comfy in cargo if it were free!!
finally
all in all, I cant see any immediate reason to stop flying Air J, I would recommed it without hesitation to a friend.
And don't mind us Jamaicans giving a round of applause after each landing, we're just glad to be home.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
petropavlovsk
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Member: Rhys Stewart
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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