Air Travel to Guadeloupe

Although it is possible to reach Guadeloupe from the United States, Canada, and Europe, only travelers from Montreal and Paris will be able to fly directly to the island. Travelers flying from other destinations will be required to connect on a neighboring Caribbean island.

The primary airport serving Guadeloupe is the Aéroport International Pôle Caraïbes, located close to Point-à-Pitre and reachable by phone at 05-90-21-14-72 and 05-90-21-14-00. Travelers can visit the airport's French-language Web site at http://www.guadeloupe.aeroport.fr/. The airport has an exchange bureau to change foreign currencies into the euro. In addition, the airport boasts a pharmacy, post office, Internet connections, bars, a restaurant, and several boutiques and duty-free shops. Flight times to Aéroport International Pôle Caraïbes are 3 hours from Miami, 4.5 hours from New York, and 8.5 hours from Paris.

Several other airports provide charter and small plane service in Guadeloupe, including St. François airport, located on Grand-Terre. The Aérodrome de Marie-Galante and airports on Iles des Saintes and La Désirade can only accommodate small planes. The short flight from Guadeloupe to Iles des Saintes or Marie-Galante takes about 15 minutes.

French citizens need an ID card or valid passport in order to travel to Guadeloupe. Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and Norway need a valid passport and a return or continuing ticket. Stays of up to three months are permitted. Since 2005 citizens and foreign travelers to the United States must have a passport to enter or reenter the country from destinations in North America, including the Caribbean. Citizens of other countries may need a visa in order to travel to Guadeloupe and should check with their local French embassy or consulate for details.

European and North American travelers do not need special vaccinations in order to enter Guadeloupe, although travelers from other destinations may. Travelers may bring pets that are microchipped or tattooed, and must be able to provide official health certificates and vaccination records.

Airlines Serving Guadeloupe

There are a number of ways to save money when selecting flights to Guadeloupe. Return tickets can be less expensive than two one-way flights, and joining frequent flier mile clubs and rewards programs can also help travelers accumulate free flights and benefits. Charter and interisland flights may be expensive throughout the year for travel to Guadeloupe, but airfare from destinations in Europe and North America may drop up to 50 percent during the slow Caribbean travel season from May to November. Advance booking can save you money and ensure that seats are available. On the other hand, airlines sometimes make last minute deals available to fill empty seats.

Useful Contacts and Information

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration in the United States provide information regarding airlines, flight safety, and baggage concerns. The FAA has deemed that the government of France is in compliance with its International Aviation Safety Assessment Program that measures the standards of airline operations within a country. Travelers can consult the FAA for information regarding the reputation and safety record of airlines serving Guadeloupe. The Transportation Security Administration is available to answer questions regarding baggage and security screenings.

• 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

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  http://www.tsa.gov/public
  866-289-967

Airport and Airline Security

Concerns over terrorism have caused a sharp increase in the level and amount of airport and airline security measures. Travelers and baggage are now subject to heightened scrutiny before being allowed on their plane. Although the increased security often results in longer airport transit times, these measures are designed to keep passengers and nations safe. Knowing what to expect prior to reaching the airport can help to prevent any unnecessary delays.

Air traffic passengers should call the airline several days prior to their flight to confirm ticket assignments, flight numbers, and flight times. Travelers to international destinations should arrive at the airport two hours in advance of their scheduled flight departure in order to allow time for ticketing and baggage screening. Many airlines now provide electronic ticketing kiosks for travelers with electronic tickets to quickly check-in and print their boarding passes. Checked baggage rules and weight allowances may vary from airline to airline. Items such as bicycles and golf clubs will typically incur additional fees. Since some foods can set off bomb detection devices, it's best to pack edible items in carry-on luggage.

Travelers to international destinations should always carry their official passport and boarding pass in a secure, but easy to reach, location. Passengers must show these items at several checkpoints before boarding a plane.

When moving through the baggage screening area, travelers should remember that certain items are not permitted on planes. Travelers can consult the Web site of the TSA (http://www.tsa.gov/public) for a full list of prohibited items. Additionally, when moving through the screening area, travelers should remove all heavy or bulky metallic jewelry, belt buckles, or steel-toed boots. Personal items such as cell phones, PDAs, keys, change, and various other items should be placed in carry-on luggage before going through the metal detector. Laptops and video camcorders should be taken out of their cases and placed separately on the conveyor belt. Travelers are allowed one carry-on item and one personal item, which can be a briefcase, purse, or laptop. Passengers must remove all coats, jackets, and blazers and may also be asked to remove hats and shoes. Travelers with metal surgical implants and pacemakers should contact airport security officials to arrange for a private screening.

Flying remains one of the quickest and most convenient ways to reach sunny destinations throughout the Caribbean. Vacationers traveling to Guadeloupe can use air travel from destinations in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean to reach the butterfly shaped islands of Grand-Terre and Basse-Terre.