Is this airline a good one?

My parents will be taking one of the doctoral exams required for the doctorate they are making in the University of Seville soon, (August or September at the most), and it is bound to take place in the Dominican Republic when the professors go in a visit to the Ureña University for their doctoral program there...

Now... as the "resident whiz kid" I am supposed to get the airfares. From Luis Muñoz MarÃ:censor:n International in San Juan to Las AmÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]ricas International in Santo Domingo... I have been to Expedia, Travelocity, CheapTickets and a few more I can't remember and all show the same two options: PanAm Clipper Connection and American Airlines.

The PanAm option is very cheap, compared at least to American Airlines. In fact, its cheaper than the ferry. Both flights take the usual: 1 hour 15 minutes.

But, last time I checked, I thought PanAm had gone the way of the Dodo... From what I hear they go bankrupt every 15 minutes or so. Is it a good airline? Has anyone had experiences with that airline?

I hope someone can help you because i have never heard of those airlines although ive been on planes soo many times!

Oops i just read it again.
I dont know about american airlines, ive never been on it!

off the topic, im looking foward to go on one of the new airbusees

American is a very decent carrier, I have never had any problems with them, including the huge hubs (ORD and LAX).

Originally Posted by yoviher

But, last time I checked, I thought PanAm had gone the way of the Dodo... From what I hear they go bankrupt every 15 minutes or so. Is it a good airline? Has anyone had experiences with that airline?

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That's what I thought, too. I flew Pan Am about three times, and after experiencing a "flight from *ell" in 1991, which included a bomb scare with an emergency landing in Zürich, and being stranded at JFK in New York for almost 24 hours, never booked another flight with them. That was ages ago, though. To be fair, I have to say that I've been hopping the Atlantic for 3 1/2 decades, and the only airline I never had any negative experience with was Swiss Air, which definitely can be compared to the Dodo.

If you are afraid of the airline going belly up (financially rather than literally) then perhaps you should make sure that you purchase the tickets with your credit card since they may allow a refund due to not getting the service. But given that the distance between your destination is quite small, comfort should not be too big a deal (not that airlines in N.America offer that much comfort in comparison to the rest).

Did you also check the website bestfares.com????
My cousin has worked for AA (american airlines) for ever it seems. Haven't heard of the other- I didn't think Pan Am was in business??

Originally Posted by bumpy

If you are afraid of the airline going belly up (financially rather than literally) then perhaps you should make sure that you purchase the tickets with your credit card since they may allow a refund due to not getting the service. But given that the distance between your destination is quite small, comfort should not be too big a deal (not that airlines in N.America offer that much comfort in comparison to the rest).

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Yes, its the short distance what I thought makes it attractive... after all, its even cheaper than a day long ferry which drops you off in the northeast of the DR (forcing you to rent a car and drive to Santo Domingo), makes a 1 hour flight attractive... and that American Airlines is $90 pricier. I am willing to sit an hour and fifteen minutes in an uncofortable flight without food, although I certainly would mind if it were a six hour long flight.

Originally Posted by GailC

Did you also check the website bestfares.com????
My cousin has worked for AA (american airlines) for ever it seems. Haven't heard of the other- I didn't think Pan Am was in business??

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Being in the travel/hospitality business let me explain the best I can -
Pan Am World Airways is no longer in service. This airline, the "clipper connection" is located in New Hampshire and Florida and "re-owned" or given a "re-birth" by Boston-Maine Airways, and is very well thought of on the east coast. Good reputation. They can have the name as similar to Pan Am as they want but not the exact name. Some of the executives and angel investors who are running the airline came from the history of the old Pan Am, hence the name. Like any air carrier these days - check the fine print on the back of your ticket or in the E-ticket agreement if online, and purchase with a reputable credit card who offers traveler's protection and/or travel guard insurance.

Originally Posted by GailC

Did you also check the website bestfares.com????
My cousin has worked for AA (american airlines) for ever it seems. Haven't heard of the other- I didn't think Pan Am was in business??

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I am at their website, but I can't seem to find San Juan, PR, nor can I seem to find international destinations!?

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Being in the travel/hospitality business let me explain the best I can -
Pan Am World Airways is no longer in service. This airline, the "clipper connection" is located in New Hampshire and Florida and is very well thought of on the east coast. Good reputation. They can have the name as similar to Pan Am as they want but not the exact name. Some of the executives and angel investors who are running the airline came from the history of the old Pan Am, hence the name. Like any air carrier these days - check the fine print on the back of your ticket or in the E-ticket agreement if online, and purchase with a reputable credit card who offers traveler's protection and/or travel guard insurance.

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Ahhh... so it doesn't come out of the blue... regional airline for the east coast and this neck of the woods, then?

Originally Posted by yoviher

Ahhh... so it doesn't come out of the blue... regional airline for the east coast and this neck of the woods, then?

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Yes that is right. They concentrate on the Boston-New England region and then shoot straight down to Florida and where you are in the Carribbean. I think they service 2 locations in the DR and 2 in PR. Here is the link but I haven't checked lately.

http://www.flypanam.com/dest.html

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Yes that is right. They concentrate on the Boston-New England region and then shoot straight down to Florida and where you are in the Carribbean. I think they service 2 locations in the DR and 2 in PR. Here is the link but I haven't checked lately.

http://www.flypanam.com/dest.html

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Ahh yes, the second destination in PR is the Aguadilla airport. Thats a small airport in the northwest of the island, but I didn't knew that place had flights as far as Orlando.

The other airport in the DR, Punta Cana... I know that place... its a very popular airport for tourists who just want to get into one of the many resorts up north, as its almost at a stone's throw from them. If you want to see great beaches and all inclusive resorts, Punta Cana is the type of place you want to go to.