Seaborne Airlines
A U.S. regional airline specializing in scheduled seaplane service in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean markets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Seaborne Airlines, legally Seaborne Virgin Island Inc., is a United States regional airline whose distinctive business is scheduled seaplane transportation in the Caribbean. The carrier was established in 1992 on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands by Ken Dole and Charles Slagle. It initially operated sightseeing flights using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters before beginning scheduled passenger service under Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 in 1994. The airline later obtained FAR Part 121 certification on March 20, 1997, enabling it to operate as a larger scheduled airline. The company developed from a specialized seaplane operator into a mixed seaplane and land-based regional carrier. In 2000, a new investor group acquired the airline and began broadening its business beyond waterborne operations. Seaborne introduced seaplane service to San Juan in 2001, linking the U.S. Virgin Islands with Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, also known as Isla Grande Airport. In late 2008 it added land-based flights from St. Thomas and St. Croix to San Juan under the Seaborne Airshuttle name. This expansion was followed by a series of new routes across Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the French Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, and other eastern Caribbean destinations. During the 2010s, Seaborne expanded both its network and its commercial relationships. It introduced service to Vieques, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Antigua, Anguilla, and several Dominican destinations. The introduction of Saab 340B turboprop aircraft in 2013 supported land-based routes, while Twin Otters equipped with floats remained central to the airline's harbor-to-harbor service. Seaborne also pursued interline and codeshare relationships with American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Europa, and Vieques Air Link, making its small Caribbean network accessible through larger airline distribution systems. The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, particularly Hurricanes Irma and Maria, severely affected the airline's operations and finances. Seaborne entered Chapter 11 restructuring in January 2018 and obtained a reported $4.2 million credit facility while pursuing a sale process. Silver Airways acquired the company in April 2018. After the acquisition, Seaborne and Silver integrated elements of their management and reservation infrastructure; from September 2019, Seaborne reservations were booked through the Silver Airways website. Silver Airways filed for Chapter 11 protection in December 2024. In June 2025, Silver Airways ceased operations and began selling its assets, and its bankruptcy case was later converted to Chapter 7 liquidation. Seaborne stated that it would continue flying despite the failure of its parent. Its current operating identity is centered on daily scheduled seaplane flights between Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base on St. Croix and Charlotte Amalie Harbor on St. Thomas, generally using DHC-6-300 Twin Otters. The airline therefore remains a small but strategically important regional carrier, particularly for direct harbor transportation between the U.S. Virgin Islands.
History
Seaborne Airlines was founded in 1992 on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands by Ken Dole and Charles Slagle. The business began with sightseeing tours using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters and entered scheduled passenger service in 1994 after receiving FAR Part 135 authority. On March 20, 1997, it obtained FAR Part 121 certification. This regulatory transition marked the development of Seaborne from a small sightseeing operator into a scheduled regional airline. A change in ownership in 2000 encouraged the company to diversify. Seaborne began seaplane service to San Juan in 2001 and later added land-based flights to San Juan from St. Thomas and St. Croix in late 2008. It introduced Vieques service in 2010 and expanded access to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in 2011. During 2012 and 2013, the network reached Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Dominica. The arrival of Saab 340B aircraft in April 2013 allowed the airline to operate land-based regional flights more efficiently, while Twin Otters continued to support water-based operations. The airline's largest growth phase came in the mid-2010s. It added routes to Guadeloupe, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Sint Maarten, Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, Punta Cana, Anguilla, and Antigua. Seaborne also developed commercial links with major airlines. American Airlines became its first interline partner in 2013 and later entered a codeshare arrangement. JetBlue, Delta, United, and Air Europa subsequently established interline or codeshare relationships, and Vieques Air Link became a codeshare partner in 2017. These agreements connected Seaborne's island routes with larger international networks. The 2017 hurricane season caused major operational and financial damage. In January 2018, Seaborne announced Chapter 11 restructuring and a proposed sale to Silver Airways. The transaction was completed on April 22, 2018. Seaborne relocated its headquarters from St. Croix to the San Juan area in 2014, and after the Silver transaction it operated within a closer corporate and reservation relationship with its parent. In 2019, its reservations were moved onto Silver Airways' website and reservation platform. Silver Airways itself filed for Chapter 11 in December 2024. The parent ceased all operations on June 11, 2025, and later moved into Chapter 7 liquidation. Seaborne nevertheless reported that it would continue operating. Its present identity is primarily that of a dedicated U.S. Virgin Islands seaplane operator, with service centrally coordinated from Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base on St. Croix and daily flights to St. Thomas. The carrier's Twin Otters, fitted with floats, provide a direct harbor-to-harbor alternative to conventional airport travel and remain the defining feature of the Seaborne brand.
- 2025
Continued operations after parent liquidation
[1]Seaborne reported that its flights would continue after Silver Airways ceased operations and entered liquidation proceedings.
- 2018
Acquired by Silver Airways
[1]After Chapter 11 restructuring following hurricane-related disruption, Seaborne was acquired by Silver Airways.
- 2014
Headquarters relocated to Puerto Rico
[1]The airline moved its headquarters from Christiansted, St. Croix, to the San Juan area.
- 2013
Saab 340B operations begin
[1]Seaborne introduced Saab 340B aircraft for land-based regional routes.
- 2008
Land-based Airshuttle service introduced
[1]The airline added land-based flights from St. Thomas and St. Croix to San Juan under the Seaborne Airshuttle name.
- 2001
San Juan seaplane service launched
[1]Seaborne began seaplane flights to San Juan's Isla Grande Airport.
- 1997
FAR Part 121 certification obtained
[1]Seaborne obtained Part 121 status on March 20, enabling its development as a scheduled airline.
- 1994
Scheduled passenger service begins
[1]The company moved beyond sightseeing operations and began scheduled passenger flights under FAR Part 135.
- 1992
Company founded on St. Croix
[1]Ken Dole and Charles Slagle established Seaborne Airlines in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Products and positioning
A specialized Caribbean regional carrier built around scheduled seaplane connectivity and short-haul island transportation.
Scheduled seaplane passenger service · 1992
DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane service
Seaborne's signature offering is scheduled harbor-to-harbor passenger transportation using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters fitted with floats. The aircraft connect Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base on St. Croix with Charlotte Amalie Harbor on St. Thomas, avoiding the need for conventional airport transfers. The service is particularly suited to short island sectors and has remained the core of the airline's current operating identity.
Land-based regional passenger flights · 2008
Seaborne Airshuttle
Introduced in late 2008, Seaborne Airshuttle was the brand used for land-based flights linking St. Thomas and St. Croix with San Juan. The service broadened the company beyond its original seaplane and sightseeing model and supported connections through Puerto Rico.
Turboprop regional passenger flights · 2013
Saab 340B regional service
Seaborne began operating Saab 340B aircraft in April 2013 after FAA certification of the type. The aircraft served land-based destinations and airports across the Caribbean network. The airline's Saab fleet included aircraft formerly operated by American Eagle and Formosa Airlines, and the aircraft were visually differentiated by marine-animal tail artwork.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Vieques Air Link codeshare
Puerto Rico
Seaborne entered a codeshare relationship with Vieques Air Link, another Puerto Rico-focused regional operator.
Outcome. The partnership supported broader regional access within Puerto Rico.
- 2015JetBlue codeshare development
Puerto Rico · Caribbean · United States
An interline relationship with JetBlue established in 2013 developed into a codeshare agreement in May 2015.
Outcome. The arrangement improved connectivity between Seaborne's island network and JetBlue's Puerto Rico and U.S. services.
- 2013American Airlines interline and codeshare partnership
Puerto Rico · Caribbean · United States
Seaborne first established an interline relationship with American Airlines in February 2013 and followed it with a codeshare agreement in June. Schedules for several San Juan routes were coordinated to facilitate connections with American's wider network.
Outcome. The partnership expanded Seaborne's distribution and made its regional flights easier to combine with long-haul and mainland U.S. services.
Brand decisions
2025
Continuation of Seaborne service after Silver Airways shutdownStrategyBackground
Silver Airways ceased operations and began selling its assets on June 11, 2025, while Seaborne still served the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Action taken
Seaborne stated that it would continue flying and maintained scheduled seaplane service centered on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
Aftermath
The decision preserved Seaborne's role as a dedicated U.S. Virgin Islands seaplane operator despite the liquidation of its parent company.
2018
Chapter 11 restructuring and sale to Silver AirwaysOtherBackground
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria, caused substantial disruption to Seaborne's network and contributed to financial distress.
Action taken
Seaborne sought Chapter 11 protection, obtained a reported $4.2 million credit facility, and entered a court-supervised sale process that resulted in Silver Airways acquiring the airline.
Aftermath
The acquisition was completed on April 22, 2018, bringing Seaborne under Silver Airways' ownership and closer operational integration.
Credit facility. $4.2 million (2018 restructuring)
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/seaborne-airlines · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled