Seaborne Airlines After the Failed Move to Silver: the New Twin Otter Fleet

History and positioning

Historically born as a seaplane operator on the shortest links between Puerto Rico and the neighboring islands, Seaborne has gradually transformed into a conventional regional airline. The financial restructuring begun with Chapter 11 provided for its entry into Silver Airways, but the failure and shutdown of the latter in 2025 left Seaborne to carry on alone, without the planned partner.

The fleet

In 2025 the airline announced the purchase of its first owned De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and a letter of intent for three more, described as the most important fleet commitment in recent years: a sign of greater stability after years of reliance on smaller or leased aircraft.

Routes and network

The main link remains San Juan-St Thomas-St Croix, historically the heart of the offering to the US Virgin Islands, joined by routes to Vieques, Culebra and Caribbean points such as Santo Domingo and Tortola depending on the season.

What passengers say

• Convenience of the direct San Juan-Virgin Islands flight, a faster alternative to the ferry for those who don't have much time.
• Role recognized as an essential link for residents of the smaller islands.

What to know before you book

• Recent history of operational instability tied to the years of the bankruptcy proceedings.
• Tight baggage limits on the smaller aircraft used on some routes.
• Possible confusion over the interline agreements inherited from the project, later collapsed, with Silver Airways.

Seaborne is useful for those who want to get quickly between San Juan and the US Virgin Islands without taking the ferry, and the new commitment to Twin Otters suggests a more stable phase after turbulent years. Anyone with a tight connection to a cruise or an event should still allow a safety margin, given the airline's recent history. It is better to book directly with Seaborne rather than through an itinerary that still presupposes an agreement with Silver Airways, which ended in 2025.