Nonstop Flight From LAX

[zork]

We are going to be taking the once-a-week Friday evening non-stop from Los Angeles to Montego Bay in December. It gets in at 7:45 in Saturday morning.

1) Has anyone else taken that flight and how well did it work for you?
2) Is there anyone at the airport at that time of day?

The normal earliest flight arrival is the 10:00 am Caribbean Airlines Flight 10 from New York (my condolences to anyone flying Caribbean Airlines, they suck big time!). So the American flight from Los Angeles will be more than two hours before that. I assume that no one will be in the customs and baggage hall before us, but will there be anyone working at Immigration? If it is not properly staffed it could still take forever even with only one plane. After all they have nothing else to do for two hours!

I guess if we take a bus there is no reason to wait around for anyone else since there are no flights for two hours.

Also, are we going to have any problems checking in at 9:30am or whatever? I assume our room might not be ready, but there will be somewhere to leave our bags. Hopefully we can still hit up the buffet for breakfast!

p.s. I realize now that I should have put this under the "Non-Resort Specific Airline Related" category, but I don't know how to move something. Sorry.

[J&JSwinginPA]

Can't answer the Airline/Airport questions but checking into Hedo that early is no issue. If no room is ready they'll hold your bags and come find you when one becomes available. I'd keep a small bag with you for changing and what not but they'll let you have free run of the resort. Get some breakfast, get down to the nude side and enjoy!

[WSSkier]

While I haven't done the American red-eye from LAX yet, I'm aware of it and would like to fly it one day, as it really maxes your day in Jamaica. You can always sleep in a lounger on the beach.

That said, my first trip to Jamaica, and Hedo, I flew the Air Jamaica red-eye from LAX. It was around a 6:45am arrival(April) and the airport staff was just showing up. Really quick through the airport(20 min) and off we went to Hedo. Since the American flight has been a revenue-guaranteed flight from the Jamaica Tourist Board, I wouldn't worry about the early arrival.

As others have said, your mileage may vary at checkin(whether they'll give you a room). I lucked out those years ago and got a room @ around 8:30am, so it might be possible.

[Passion4Diving]

I have a friend that regularly takes that flight from LAX to MBJ. The arrival at MBJ process works very smoothly. Airport is empty except for the pax from your plane. Immigration, luggage processing and customs works very smoothly.

Not sure about your comment about the bus, unless your travel agency is bundling one into your stay as Hedo does not provide transport for most of their rooms.

Sometime there is a room available, especially if you are arriving during the quiet days of early to mid December.

[zork]

I have a friend that regularly takes that flight from LAX to MBJ. The arrival at MBJ process works very smoothly. Airport is empty except for the pax from your plane. Immigration, luggage processing and customs works very smoothly.

Not sure about your comment about the bus, unless your travel agency is bundling one into your stay as Hedo does not provide transport for most of their rooms.

Sometime there is a room available, especially if you are arriving during the quiet days of early to mid December.

That's good to know. We arrive on the 9th of December, so hopefully they will have a room for us shortly. If not in our category we will glad suffer an upgrade. Hey, it worked for us last time!

[Rob&Jo]

We have taken this flight several times and LOVE IT!!!!
There are very few flights arriving at this time so you typically make it through customs and immigration in relatively short amount of time. Sleep on the transfer to the resort and then have breakfast at Hedo. Sometimes you get lucky and a room is ready, otherwise find a place to lounge and enjoy the resort until your room is ready.
We try to get this flight whenever possible.
Years ago Air Jamaica offered this route and when it was no more we sorely missed it. Happy that American Airlines has brought it back (albeit seasonal).
We typically try to fly back through Dallas as that is later flight, so we do not have to leave the resort super early.
Direct flight from LAX to MBJ is awesome.

[zork]

Yes, we are on the 4:55pm (was 5:05pm) American flight through Dallas to go with the LA-MBJ overnight. I was hoping for a 2pm pickup by Rocky's but was told 1pm. I am wondering if I ought to ask for a later pickup. That is 4 hours before the flight which I would expect with a bus, not a taxi.

[Rob&Jo]

Yes, we are on the 4:55pm (was 5:05pm) American flight through Dallas to go with the LA-MBJ overnight. I was hoping for a 2pm pickup by Rocky's but was told 1pm. I am wondering if I ought to ask for a later pickup. That is 4 hours before the flight which I would expect with a bus, not a taxi.

We were there in August and had driver who made excellent time from Beaches Negril (we were there with the kids). Even with the driver making excellent time, the drive was still over an hour. That will put you at the airport a little over 2 1/2 hours before yor flight.