Green AirwaysPassenger ExperienceCosta Rica
Flying a small domestic airline in Costa Rica is a different experience from international commercial travel — and that's part of what makes it memorable. Here's what the Green Airways passenger experience actually looks like from check-in to landing.
Check-in and terminal
Green Airways operates from the domestic aviation terminal at SYQ (Tobías Bolaños in Pavas), which is a 15-minute drive from central San José. The terminal is small but functional — check-in lines are usually short, and the whole process from car drop-off to aircraft boarding typically takes 20–30 minutes. Compare that to the 90+ minutes needed at Juan Santamaría for international flights.
The flight itself
Green Airways uses small turboprop aircraft seating 9–15 passengers. The flights are low-altitude (typically 8,000–12,000 feet), offering spectacular views of Costa Rica's volcanoes, cloud forests, Pacific coastline and jungle canopy. The 20–55 minute flight times are too short for boredom but long enough for a genuine appreciation of the country's geography.
The private charter comparison
An AeroRide private charter from SYQ offers the same scenic experience, the same aircraft types and the same airports — with the addition of departure flexibility, no baggage limits, and the ability to continue to a second destination on the same day. For travelers who've experienced both, the private charter experience is consistently described as more comfortable and less stressful.