Air Travel to Anguilla

With the expansive Atlantic Ocean separating travelers from the Caribbean Sea, most people opt to use air travel to reach Anguilla. Although flying is convenient and quick, foreign travelers are required to first fly to a neighboring Caribbean island before heading to Anguilla.

The main airport in Anguilla is the Clayton J. Loyd International Airport, which you can contact at 264-498-5922.  Once known as the Wallblake Airport, this locale was renamed in 2010. It is a small terminal with no jet ways, and is located in the center of the island, just south of The Valley. The airport receives as many as 50 inter-island flights daily from locations such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Antigua, and St. Kitts.

Although there are no flights that currenly travel directly or non-stop to Anguilla from regions outside of the Caribbean, you won't be disappointed. Travelers in the United States typically fly American Airlines to San Juan before taking a short one-hour flight to Anguilla. Travelers from Europe and other destinations around the world must connect in the United States or take a direct flight to a neighboring island.  Rumor has it that direct flights from major United States cities such as Atlanta and Miami are in the works, though some renovations may need to be made, since the 5463 foot runways is not long enough to receive international jets.

All foreign travelers to Anguilla must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (effective December 31, 2005), all United States citizens must have a passport in order to re-enter the country when returning from the Caribbean. In addition to passports, all travelers must show proof of a continuing or return ticket before being allowed to enter Anguilla. Children under 16 are permitted to travel with only a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, although passports for children are recommended.

Flying to the Caribbean can be expensive, however there are several ways to save money on flights. Since there are no non-stop flights from foreign destinations to Anguilla, travelers should search for a number of connecting islands and flights in order to get the best deal. Flying during the slow tourist season in the Caribbean can save travelers up to 50 percent on airfare and hotels. Airlines also sometimes release last minute deals. Return tickets can be less expensive than two one-way tickets. Advance booking, reward programs, and frequent flier mile clubs are other ways to benefit and save on your travels.

Many travelers may be unfamiliar with some of the airlines that provide service to Anguilla. It's best to research an airline before booking a flight. The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States provides rankings and safety reputations for air carriers. The contact information for the FAA is:

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  800 Independence Ave., SW
  Washington, D.C. 20591
  http://www.faa.gov 
  FAA Consumer Hotline: 866-835-5322
  Aviation Consumer Protection Division: 202-366-2220

Airlines

Airport and Airline Safety and Security

As a result of safety concerns, airports and airlines have increased their security measures. Luggage checks and searches have become more thorough, and travelers must move through several check points when taking their flight to the Caribbean. Although increased security has caused some delays and heavier airport traffic, security officials have streamlined the process as much as possible, and air travelers realize that the measures have been implemented for their own safety. Vacationers can contact the Transportation Security Administration (http://www.tsa.gov) (TSA) at 866-289-9673 with questions concerning baggage screening and security concerns, as well as for a full list of prohibited items.

In light of this increased security, air traffic passengers can take several measures to ensure that they get to their flight quickly and without complications. The first important step is confirming your flight. Call the airline a few days in advance to confirm the flight times, flight number, and ticket assignments. Arrive at the airport two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart in case of delays or unseen complications at the ticketing counter or security checkpoints. The popularity of electronic tickets has prompted the spread of electronic ticket kiosks where passengers can quickly print their boarding passes. In order to move through all of the checkpoints, travelers should have a valid government issued photo ID (passport) and a boarding pass.

Once past ticketing, travelers are likely to experience the most delays as they wait to move through the primary passenger screening area that allows entrance to the airport terminals. Items such as razors, scissors, and other sharp objects are not allowed through these checkpoints. Consult the TSA (http://www.tsa.gov) for a complete list of restricted items.

Prepare to move through the security checkpoint by removing any bulky metallic items such as belt buckles, steel boots, and jewelry. Additionally, remove all jackets, coats, and blazers. Passengers are also required to remove shoes and hats. Computers and camcorders must be taken out of their cases in order to be sent through the baggage screening machine, and they may be closely inspected. Personal valuables, such as cell phones, PDAs, loose change and jewelry should be placed in the bins provided by the airport when moving through the security checkpoint. Travelers with pacemakers or metal surgical implants should speak with airport security officials in order to make arrangements for security screening.

Airlines generally allow one carry-on item and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. Airlines have different rules for checked baggage and may charge fees for items such as golf clubs, so it is best to contact the specific airline directly.

Although you may need to take a connecting flight to travel to Anguilla, flying remains the quickest and most convenient way to reach this beautiful island.