Information on Caribbean Airlines Flights

Caribbean Airlines is the national airline of Trinidad and Tobago. Its large aircraft fleet and extensive route map make it the largest airline based in the Caribbean. Given its affordable pricing, good coverage and frequent flights to many islands, I’d recommend anyone flying to the Caribbean or between the islands to give this airline a look.

In my experience, flying Caribbean Airlines involves both the benefits as well as drawbacks of island culture: it features genuine, friendly and hospitable staff combined with sometimes slow and indifferent service, long wait times and an indifferent corporate attitude. Although many of these service flaws can be seen in large US airlines as well.

Caribbean Airlines aircraft types

Caribbean Airlines flies newer Boeing 737-8 aircraft for its longer-haul flights between the US and the Caribbean. Seating is arranged in 3-3 format for 144 seats in economy class and 2-2 for the 16 seats in business class. I find the layout and seat space about standard for the industry, nothing to worry about here, but nothing to rave about either.

For its intra-island Caribbean flights and some routes to South America, Caribbean Airlines uses turboprop ATR 72-600 planes. This cabin is solely economy class for 68 passengers, with two seats on each side of the aisle. These planes are designed for shorter island hops, but I still find them a little claustrophobic and narrow. Sometimes these are the only convenient options for inter-island flights, but if you’re a nervous flier you may want to look for a different airline option. Rides can be bumpy, particularly during the rainy season in the fall.

Caribbean Airlines’ destinations

Probably the best thing about Caribbean Airlines is its extensive coverage of Caribbean island destinations. Currently, the airline flies to 19 different Caribbean islands, some at multiple airports. So if you’re planning a multi-island trip, Caribbean Airlines is probably the first place you should look for flights. The airline semi-regularly announces new flights and destinations, so it’s worth checking in on the latest destinations and offers.

If you’re flying from the US East Coast, consider Caribbean Airlines for your longer-haul flight. The airline flies from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, New York (JFK) and Toronto. Direct flights have more limited island coverage, but connections can be smoother if booked wholly on Caribbean Airlines vs. trying to create a hacker fare with another airline.

Caribbean Airlines cabins and seat classes

Caribbean Airlines offers two classes of seat product for its 737s, and one for the ATR 72 planes, with a variety of options for each class

Caribbean Airlines Business Class seating

Caribbean Airlines Business Class, available on its 737 aircraft, is a comfortable option akin to domestic business class in the US, or premium economy for a typical international carrier. The seats are wide, the recline is decent and it comes with seatback touchscreen entertainment systems.

Business Class also comes with its own airport check-in lines, lounge access as select airports, complimentary beverage and meal service, two included checked bags and priority boarding. If you’re on one of the longer-haul flights from JFK or Toronto, I think it may be worth the price for a business class upgrade.

Caribbean Air Business Class comes in “Classic” and “Flex” booking options. Flex tickets come with an allowance for an extra piece of checked baggage (up to 3 in total), fully refundable tickets and a bonus mileage reward if you’re part of the program.

Want to try to get a deal on Caribbean Air business class? The airline has a “Bid to Upgrade” program where you can submit a dollar figure before your flight, and if nobody beats it, you get a budget upgrade. The airline does set a minimum bid, so there’s no $1 option here, but I think it’s worth submitting a low bid if you have a few extra bucks to spend.

Caribbean Airlines Economy Class seating

Caribbean Airlines Economy Class comes with three different options: Lite, Classic and Flex. The Lite ticket does not include any checked bags, while the Classic includes one and the Flex tickets two bags. Flex tickets allow for fully refundable tickets, complimentary meals on board, and two checked bags. If you can do your trip without a checked bag (hey, swimsuits don’t take up much space), then Lite can really be a great deal – and it even can be upgraded to Caribbean Plus.

Seating in Caribbean Airlines Economy Class in the 3x3 format can feel a little cramped for longer flights, especially if you’re in the middle seat and you’re more than six feet tall like myself. The legroom, seat width and recline are about average for the 737s. For shorter flights, the room is fine, for longer flights, I’d look at potentially upgrading, especially to Caribbean Plus.

Caribbean Plus seating for Caribbean Airlines

I think Caribbean Plus is the sweet spot for choosing a seat on Caribbean Airlines in terms of the combination of price and comfort. The front five rows of Economy Class in 737s are Caribbean Plus seating, with an extra five inches of legroom and a few extra inches of recline in the seats.

For taller passengers like me, the extra space in Caribbean Plus is well worth the relatively small fare increase. You’ll also be able to board and exit the plane ahead of other Economy Class passengers.

Caribbean Airlines Check-in process

Caribbean Airlines has dedicated check-in lines for Economy and Business Class, with Business Class passengers enjoying a much quicker process.

Regardless of your fare class, be sure to get to the airport far ahead of flight time, heeding the three-hour advance recommendation, or whatever Caribbean Airlines may be announcing for that airport. I can attest that Caribbean airport check-in, security and passport control are often painfully slow, particularly in high season, regardless of airline.

Meal Service on Caribbean Airlines

I’m a big fan of the food on Caribbean Airlines. It’s far from fancy gourmet spreads, but the meals provide a genuine taste of the islands, with local dishes that are unavailable on most other airlines.

Like Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Airlines serves up a mix of Caribbean and Indian cuisine, including Geera Aloo and Sada Roti, along with the traditional island favorites of jerk chicken, coconut saltfish and stewed chicken

Drinks on Caribbean Airlines flights include all the rum options you would expect for the Caribbean, as well as a nice selection of local beers.

Meals and drinks are complimentary in Business Class and for Economy Flex passengers and can be ordered for a fee in regular Economy. Preorder your meal to ensure you can get the food of your choice, as the flights sometimes run out of select menu items. I’d say it's worth it to order something for your inbound flight to the Caribbean, the prices are reasonable and sampling the food is fun and tasty.

Caribbean Airlines Wi-Fi

Caribbean Airlines does not currently provide any Wi-Fi service for internet access, but passengers can use the airline’s free Caribbean View entertainment network on personal devices. The system has a decent collection of movies and TV shows to help you kill time on a flight.

Caribbean Airlines' frequent flier program

Caribbean Airlines has its own Caribbean Miles frequent flier program, but the points, unfortunately, don’t transfer to any US airline partner. Enrollment is free, so you might as well register, but unless you plan to do a lot of Caribbean travel, don’t expect to get much benefit from the program.

Caribbean Airlines’ Caribbean Club membership program

Caribbean Airlines offers a fee-based club membership program that gives passengers access to partner business class lounges at select airports, priority check-in, five vouchers for fee-free flight changes, and discounts on certain travel services. The service might be worth the price if you’re a regular Caribbean traveler who enjoys the lounges, but I wouldn’t recommend it for casual tourists.

Caribbean Airlines’ Your Space program

Caribbean Airlines has an innovative “Your Space” service that allows passengers to block the seat next to them for a fairly low fee. The service is only available from 72 hours to 3 hours prior to your flight, assuming there is an empty seat next to one you have already reserved.

Unless you really want to make sure you get that extra space, I don’t think the service is worth it, as chances are you’re going to have an empty seat next to you already if there are many available close to flight time. Still, it’s an option worth considering, so check the website prior to your flight and see if the price happens to be low enough and available seats scarce enough to make the fee worthwhile.

Baggage on Caribbean Airlines

Caribbean Airlines allows one free carry-on bag and a personal item on your flight, even for Lite Class. The allowable size is 45” (the common 22”x14”x9” bag). Technically there’s a 20-pound weight limit per carry-on bag, but I’ve only seen them weigh and measure bags that seem really big

Economy Class allows one fee-free checked bag for regular fares, none for Lite and two for Flex. Business Class allows two for regular fares and three checked bags for Flex. The checked bag weight limit is fifty pounds or you’ll be subject to an extra charge.