Island Express Airline

[JerBear]

Has anyone had good or bad experience with Island Express Airlines?

[gummy67]

I have never used them but have been trying for days to get them on the phone.It seems like they are closed or something. Call them,let me know if you get them.

954-3590380

[Banana Joe]

Eight of us are currently booked with them on June 28 to TCB. I've never had any issues with getting them on the phone, and they've always been very professional. I've flown many small commuter airlines over the years to the Abacos, Exumas, and Eleuthera, and it's always worked out great. Their price was very competitive compared to others I contacted.

[Beth at Yellow Air Taxi]

Ummmm, I am not trying to slam them or start a panic, but I would seriously suggest you find other travel arrangements so your vacation is not ruined.

They are not currently operating any flights.

Sorry,

Beth

[guanagwill]

I just got off the phone with Island Express this afternoon and I was told they have ceased operations. 4 of us were booked July 24. This was the first time we ever booked with Island Express. Find another airline fast!

[kittykat]

A friend flew with them at 11:30 this morning to Marsh Harbour. I hope they return?

[mlmp]

They were a disaster while they did operate.

[haziewaller]

I flew w/them last week, no problems, & have flown w/them many other times. Only the major carriers have ever lost my luggage!!! It was always best to call around the times of the scheduled flights that day.

Beth at YAT probably has inside info, tho, so don't discount her advice!!

[JerBear]

Thanks to all for the response. I was able to find a charter for my trip at a very reasonable price.
One thing to keep in mind though...the prices quotes one of the websites I searched is a bit misleading...they want you to think they are the cheapest but they don't tell you the Bahamian taxes are NOT included which brings the up another $50+ bucks.

[Banana Joe]

I have left a message with Island Express and I'm waiting to hear back. I'll also try to contact Beth at Yellow Air today. We were all paid and booked for June 28 so this news is not good to say the least. Anyone have any ideas for worst case scenario i.e. no flight/ no refund and all of us in need of alternatives for a flight to TCB on the 28th?

[floridacargocat]

Jerbear,
you bring up a very good point: fees and charges
Fees and charges depend on
- scheduled airline or charter air carrier
When using a non-scheduled charter air carrier you will have to consider (ask), if ALL fees,charges and surcharges are included in the charter offer, as fees and charges depend on
- size of aircraft (less than 6000 lbs, more than 6000 lbs) for US-Government fees of all kinds
- landing fees (in The Bahamas)
- departure tax (The Bahamas)
- overtime fees (In The Bahamas)
- Passenger facility fees (specifically for Ft. Lauderdale Intl.)
- Fuel surcharges
- Wait fees (in case departure is delayed due to late passengers)
Please keep in mind, that smaller air charter aircraft have very specific weight and size limitations for luggage.

[JerBear]

FloridaCargoCat,
Thanks for the insite...this is valuable info to keep in mind. I was stuck between and rock and a hard spot and had to charter for one of my upcoming trips as none of the local, smaller airlines could accommodate us.

[mlmp]

We have had really good luck chartering with Air Flight out of Ft. L.

[NoMoSnow]

I have left a message with Island Express and I'm waiting to hear back. I'll also try to contact Beth at Yellow Air today. We were all paid and booked for June 28 so this news is not good to say the least. Anyone have any ideas for worst case scenario i.e. no flight/ no refund and all of us in need of alternatives for a flight to TCB on the 28th?
Banana Joe - I can't help with flight alternatives but if they do not / can not refund your $$ this may work. For those in your group who paid with a credit card, have them check with their card company. Most offer some level of purchaser protection. It may be a fruitless 10 minute phone call but I'd say it's worth a shot.

[dp]

Banana Joe: If you are in Gainesville, it would be easy to drive to Daytona or Melbourne for a VPJ flight. But it is doubtful you could find 8 seats. With that many, you might charter. Vintage charters, dependably. You could also call Cherokee Air in MHH. I'm sure either would pick you up right in Gainesville.

[Banana Joe]

Thanks to everyone, if it wasn't foe this board I would likely have been scramblig for alternatives two weeks instead of 40 days out. I have it in writing now from Island Express that they have "ceased operations" as of May 5. They said they would send refund checks (the check's in the mail?). I already contacted MasterCard and they said they needed proof which I didn't have until this morning since I had been unable to get any response from I.A.
Beth at Yellow Air Taxi was nice enough to set up an unscheduled flight for the 8 of us at their regular fare, so Banana Joe is back in business and will depart FLL at 7:50---10 more minutes in the Abacos!

[ModeratorXXX]

Several posts have been deleted according to the NO RUMOUR rule. Let's keep this thread informative and factual, please.

[haziewaller]

Wow, I guess I was really lucky. We flew home w/them on May 8. Maybe the May 5 "cessation of operations" meant any new business????

[Motuiti]

“In the Beginning.......” there was Mackey then came Out Island Airlines then Aero Coach, Air Sunshine and Florida Costal ('05)......

Since I've been going to the Abacos, I'd say longevity is a big problem for the small air carriers. Even USAir dropped Abaco flights only a few years ago. American pulled out of Treasure Cay. Now add Chalk's Abaco run and Island Express. Wow!

Thats an average of one every 3-4 years.

-Sandy

[i'mblue]

Good news for all passengers that were booked on Island Express Airline between the dates of May 21st 2008 through January 2009. If you have not yet received your refund, please contact one of the numbers listed below immediately.

954-931-3728 or 954-383-1676

[RKGS]

Interested to find out how many might be interested to fly charter company formed by Embry Riddle Aviation University (ERAU) students & flight instructors at discounted prices. The service would operate out of Daytona Beach area and pilots and certified flight instructors as crew are fully licensed commercial pilots by the U.S. government but just don't have the flying hours of major airline pilots. Students will have around 500 hours flying time with some of that dual time with instructor and CFI (Certified Flight Instructors) will have average range 3,000-7,000 hours as pilot in command. Once they reach 10,000 hour mark most move onto flying with major airlines. These are fully licensed commercial pilots by the U.S. government and tested by U.S. government inspectors with written and flight tests who simply need to build flying hours. The University Embry Riddle trains pilots for U.S. Air Force.