“In the Beginning.......” there was Mackey then came Out Island Airlines then Aero Coach and Air Sunshine......

It used to be that flying to the Abacos on the small 9 seat Cessna 402 commuter is half the fun of a quick fly over from south Florida. It's just an hour flight. The small plains fly at lower altitudes so you can almost see the fish in the turquoise waters near the islands. I think of them as sport cars as compared to a bus. . They zip in and out of clouds easily bypassing any thunderheads. Oh, that 9th seat is actually a copilot's seat which is often filled by a passenger as chosen by the pilot and usually blonde and female. The only negative is, the longevity of these small carriers. For some humorous flying tales of those early days, click here.

New carriers come and go every couple years. Fall 2004 saw termination of service by Air Sunshine to the Abacos, probably because of a not so flattering article in the April 2004 issue of Readers Digest. Air Sunshine was replaced by Florida Coastal and our chosen carrier of 2005. By 2006 their phones were no longer being answered. At the same time Lynx Air International appeared with scheduled flights form Ft. Lauderdale to many out islands but only charter service to the Abacos at time of this update.

As of 2007, Chalk's International Airlines, a name synonymous with out island air service, had been resurrected and started flying to the Abacos and a new fleet of leased aircraft including 50 seater jets was promised when the new runway is built in Marsh Harbour (presently underway). Then by the end of the summer they ceased flying due to the loss of it's federal operating license. Speaking with them in November I was assured those new jets were still coming and they will be operational in early 2008. We'll just have to wait and see. We'll leave their link up a little longer.

Unfortunately 2007, saw a general decline in service statewide. There were the long delays we've all read about resulting in missed connections and lost luggage. Yes, weather was partially to blame but that is no excuse for myriad of horror tales conveyed by Abaco vacationers on the two popular forums during the spring and summer months. I for one had an eight hour delay on Continental going from Marsh Harbour to (just) Tampa resulting in being put up over night in Fort Lauderdale. At that point, I could have rented a car and driven the rest of the way! Sadly there is no way around this as all carriers have calumnies posted in the Abaco Forum and the Abaco Board. You might want to go there and post any questions you have.

If a major carrier makes you feel better you'll be limited to just two since USAir's commuter service pulled out in '04. They are American/American Eagle and Continental/Gulfstream. Both can also provide same carrier connections to many other US cities. With American you'll be limited to only Marsh Harbour. But happily for folks like us, starting Dec 13, 2007 they'll offer a Sarasota connection.

For the most part, most travelers to the Abacos flying from out of state (Florida) will have to change to one of the smaller carriers listed below although your carrier will do that for you. Just the same the large carriers are not with our problems to and from the Abacos. My 2007 return flight on Continental Gulfstream was 5 hrs. late missing both possible connections to Tampa, resulting in us being put up in Ft. Lauderdale for the evening. My sister experienced the same thing last year - same airline connecting to Phila. This, after the plane took off then returned to Marsh Harbour to drop off the Palm Beach bound bags inadvertently stowed on the Lauderdale flight. Continental/Gulfstream has 8 flights in and out of Marsh Harbour daily to MIA, FLL & WPB (as of Summer 07). These plus the other carriers make for a lot of confusion at the little Abaco airport terminals. Get there there early and use carry on luggage in case you have to change flights in a hurry. US Air will still book Abaco bound passengers mostly via Nassau and a connection with a connection on BanamasAir and taking all day! Just a word of caution: Any carrier booking you through Nassau, your odds of lost luggage increase dramatically. Finally, if you find it difficult to find a carrier check with your hotel, inn or travel agency and be sure you have a confirmed flight before booking accommodations. Below is a current listing along with links to their website.

As of fall 2006 a new carrier was posted on the Abaco Message Board. It offers a new alternative - connecting via Freeport, Grand Bahama instead of the S.E. Florida Cities. And many US cities have nonstop flights to Freeport where you can hop aboard a flight by "Regional Air". They fly to both Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay and as of October had 3 flights a day. Their link is posted below.

AGAIN, if you have questions pertaining to quality of service of a specific carrier, why not head to the Abaco's Community Message Board or the Abaco Forum and post your question.