Seaborne Airlines (BB)

Airline at a Glance

Company Overview

Seaborne Airlines is a U.S.-flag regional carrier whose network focuses on Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the eastern Caribbean. Its value to freight customers lies in reliable island connectivity, seaplane access to harbor locations, and a simple express freight product between St. Croix and St. Thomas.

Milestones

Company History at a Glance

China Liaison

Contact in China

Seaborne Airlines does not currently maintain a registered office, GSA or station in mainland China, and no Chinese contact address or telephone number has been published by the airline.

Aircraft

Fleet in Detail

Seaborne’s current operations are built around the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated as a seaplane for harbor-to-harbor service. The Saab 340B turboprop formed the backbone of the airline’s former regional network and remains relevant for understanding its cargo heritage.

Payload and range figures are typical published specifications for each aircraft type and may vary with airline configuration. Current fleet count and configuration should be confirmed at time of booking.

China Network

Airports Served in China & Flight Schedule

Seaborne Airlines currently operates no flights to or from mainland China. None of the major Chinese cargo gateways — Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX), Beijing (PEK) or others — is served directly by the airline.

Destination Coverage

International Routes from China

There are no direct China–Caribbean flights on Seaborne. However, via gateway and interline connections from China, the airline’s network footprint reaches the following countries and territories (current scheduled seaplane service is St. Thomas ↔ St. Croix; wider network restart subject to airline confirmation):

Why It Matters for Exporters

Freight Advantages for China Exporters

Seaborne Airlines does not offer non-stop trunk capacity out of China, and that is not where its value lies. Its strength is the last mile: a seaplane and regional turboprop network built to move time-sensitive, high-value and niche freight reliably into island markets where transport options are limited. For Chinese exporters, four advantages stand out.

First, U.S. territory routing. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands operate inside the U.S. customs and regulatory framework. Cargo bound for these markets — or using them as points of entry and regional redistribution — moves under familiar U.S. rules, with the operating carrier under FAA oversight and FAR Part 121 certification. Shippers get predictability in documentation, clearance and compliance that is often harder to secure with smaller Caribbean operators, and goods moving between the U.S. mainland and its territories typically face a simpler duty treatment than general foreign imports.

Second, seaplane access. Seaborne is the world’s only FAR Part 121-certified seaplane operator. Its Twin Otter seaplanes fly harbor-to-harbor, touching down at water bases in the heart of St. Thomas and St. Croix. For freight that must reach consignees close to the waterfront — marine parts, perishables, medical supplies, urgent spares — this removes airport-to-dock transits and shortens total door-to-door time.

Third, a genuine express product. The airline’s FastPak Freight service between St. Croix and St. Thomas handles envelopes and small freight up to 25 lb with published, counter-level rates. This is practical for courier-style shipments, e-commerce replenishment, critical documents and small high-value parcels moving within the islands — a dependable same-region channel that forwarders can quote with confidence.

Fourth, interline connectivity from China. From Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and other Chinese gateways, cargo connects on major transpacific carriers to U.S. hubs (MIA, JFK, IAH, LAX) and onward to San Juan, from where Seaborne’s regional legs reach the U.S. Virgin Islands and, as the network restarts, the wider Caribbean. Goodhope Freight arranges the complete through-routing with consolidated documentation, so exporters reach these islands without needing a dedicated direct service.

Finally, a word on cargo fit. The Twin Otter’s payload is roughly one tonne, so oversized or heavy consignments are not the airline’s niche. The right shipments are small, urgent and high-value: aircraft parts, marine equipment components, pharmaceuticals and cold-chain items, seafood and perishables, and premium e-commerce. For these, Seaborne combines U.S.-flag reliability, harbor-to-harbor speed and island coverage that few regional competitors can match. For anything larger, Goodhope Freight layers Seaborne’s last-mile capability onto ocean, truck and mainline air options to build a complete China-to-island supply chain.

Work With Goodhope Freight

Booking Guide

All bookings for Seaborne Airlines capacity from mainland China are handled through Goodhope Freight. We confirm space, coordinate interline connections and manage export documentation from China end to end.

Cargo Products & Capabilities

Specialized Services & Network Strengths