Find cheap Silver Airways flights

Silver Airways is a small but mighty regional airline serving Florida, the Bahamas, and the eastern Caribbean. It’s based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where it has its greatest presence, followed by its second largest hub in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Silver’s aircraft are immediately recognizable both on the ground and in the air thanks to a bright pink livery featuring a white flamingo painted on the tail.

With flight routes that typically clock in under 90 minutes and value-conscious pricing, Silver Airways is more about function than frills. It’ll get you from point to point quickly but don’t expect Wi-Fi, snacks, or even jet bridges for boarding.

Why should consider Silver Airways?

Silver Airways comprises a young fleet of 14 Turboprop regional airliners, eight of which are 46-seat ATR 42-600s and six of which are 72-seat ATR 72-600s. It also operates a seaplane between the US Virgin Islands St. Croix and St. Thomas on its subsidiary, Seaborne. For such a small airline, it reaches a remarkable number of destinations throughout Florida and the Bahamas plus several far-flung islands via Puerto Rico, including Anguilla and Dominica.

As a South Florida local, I find Silver Airways incredibly convenient for reaching cities across the Sunshine State when I don’t want to drive. I also appreciate the range of airports served between Florida and the Bahamas, from Bimini to Governor’s Harbour, making weekend escapes to the Bahamas effortless.

In the recent past, Silver Airways flew to regional destinations throughout the American South, like Charleston, Huntsville, and Savannah. However, by spring 2024, the airline had dropped all non-Florida destinations in the mainland U.S. to focus on its Florida and island routes. I mention this because some search engines and websites still mistakenly show Silver flying to these locations.

Fare types

Silver Airways offers three fare types: Refundable, Freedom, and Escape, ranked from most to least expensive. Since all planes have economy seats only, these fares differ by perks like cancellation policy, change policy, and seat assignment. Note that Freedom fares are available only when booking directly with Silver.

I usually opt for Escape fares because they offer great value. I don’t mind paying separately for a seat given the low rates Silver Airways charges.

Check-in

If you want to check in with Silver Airways before arriving at the airport, be aware that the airline doesn't have an app. Nevertheless, you can still check in on your phone via a web browser, just as you would on a desktop. E-tickets will be emailed to you, and depending on your destination, you might receive a bar code that can be added to your phone’s wallet.

If checking in at the airport, look for Silver's dedicated check-in area. Since there are no class differences and Silver doesn’t have its own loyalty program, everyone waits in the same line. If you’re checking bags, a maximum of two are allowed, each weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg). Baggage fees can be paid in advance or during check-in.

Depending on the airport and time of day, you might find only one person working the check-in line. Don’t be surprised if that same person scans your ticket before boarding or assists with other pre-flight tasks. I remember the first time I flew Silver and wondered if the check-in agent, who also handled gate duties, might be the flight attendant – or even the pilot! Of course, he wasn’t, but I was amazed at the many roles one person can fill at a small, regional airline.

Boarding

Boarding Silver Airways flights can sometimes be a bit of an adventure since the planes typically aren't accessible by jet bridges. After scanning your boarding pass, getting on the plane often involves a combination of an uncovered ramp, walking on the tarmac, and climbing stairs.

Embarking my recent flight between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in the pouring rain was particularly comical. Despite being given an umbrella, navigating with a rolling carry-on and a computer bag through a wind-driven storm was challenging. I had to go down a small outdoor ramp, walk briefly on the tarmac, and climb stairs at the back of the plane. By the time I boarded, I was soaked, as were my bags. I found humor in the situation, but others might not.

Once onboard, overhead bin space can also be a challenge. The bins are well-sized for such small planes, and if your carry-on is less than 9"H (22cm) x 14"W (35cm) x 22"L (55cm), including handles and wheels, it should fit. However, most carry-ons must be placed sideways to fit, limiting space. If no space is available or if your carry-on doesn’t fit, the flight attendant can place the bag in the hold free of charge.

Seats & legroom

All of Silver Airways’ turboprops have a 2-2 seating configuration, which means no middle seats (Huzzah!). All seats, except for the bulkhead, are identical: slimline with recline, an average pitch of 31", and a width of 18.5". The bulkhead seats are similar but offer a few extra inches of legroom. Overall, these dimensions match economy seats on most other U.S. aircraft and airlines. Yet, as the name implies, slimline seats have less padding than those on legacy carriers.

There are a few other interesting aspects of seating on Silver Airways. First, since boarding and deplaning often occur at the back of the aircraft, I usually choose seats toward the rear to get off first. That said, the last row doesn’t recline, so I avoid it.

Next, although seat selections are inexpensive, most passengers don’t opt for pre-selection. This means that when checking in online, it may appear there are plenty of seats available even when the flight is nearly full. Additionally, weight distribution is important on this type of plane, so the flight attendant may ask passengers to change seats to balance the aircraft. In my experience, this happens regularly when I fly Silver. Don’t freak out – it’s routine.

Wi-Fi, amenities & entertainment

Silver Airways prioritizes function over frills, so don’t expect much in terms of entertainment or amenities. There’s no Wi-Fi, TV screens, or mobile-accessible entertainment. Since most flights are under 90 minutes, this doesn’t really bother me.

As for onboard service, the flight attendant will offer you a mini water bottle after takeoff. Beyond that, there’s no food or drinks provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Lastly, while many might not consider a toilet an amenity, it certainly is on small planes! Fortunately, each Silver Airways aircraft has one full-size lavatory located at the rear.

Change & cancellation policies

Change and cancellation policies vary by the fare purchased. The most common and cheapest fare type, Escape, mandates a $50 cancellation fee for domestic flights and $100 for international for tickets booked directly with Silver. Cancellations must be made over 24 hours prior to departure, or the entire fare will be forfeited. The same fees apply for flight changes plus any difference in fare.

Loyalty programs & miles

Silver Airways doesn’t have its own loyalty program, but it does have a few codeshare partners, including JetBlue and United, which offer opportunities to earn and redeem miles.

JetBlue

JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn 250 TrueBlue points per qualifying Silver Airways flight. You can enter your TrueBlue number at booking. However, TrueBlue points cannot be redeemed for itineraries that include Silver Airways flights.

United

You can earn miles on Silver Airways flights if you're a United MileagePlus member. To receive mileage credit, enter your MileagePlus number when booking or before your flight.

Earning United miles is less straightforward than JetBlue's flat 250 per flight. Why? United sells Silver Airways flights directly on its website, where you'll earn miles based on the base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges. Basic MileagePlus members earn 5 points per dollar spent, while elite members earn more based on their elite status. If you book directly through Silver or other sites, miles are earned based on flight distance, service class, and purchased fare class. Fares coded as O, P, W, or X don’t earn miles.

In my experience, Silver Airways fares on United.com are far more expensive than booking directly with Silver or other sites for the exact same flights. So, I don’t book through United. Additionally, it’s often difficult to identify the exact fare class when booking Silver Airways – it’s not as clear as with other airlines. Previously, after entering my United MileagePlus number and flying Silver Airways, I discovered I had booked a fare that earned zero miles. Nowadays, I stick to earning my modest JetBlue TrueBlue points.

On a positive note for MileagePlus members, miles can be redeemed for Silver Airways flights. The redemption values aren’t exciting, but the option is there. If available with miles, Silver Airways flights will appear in the United search engine.