Airline and St Maarten Airport Updates
US Airways The recent merging of US Airways with America West has created some temporary problems at the airport in St Maarten. As reported by a traveler to St Barth, this past Monday, all technology was shut down. As a result, hundreds of passengers missed flights and waited in lines at the confirmation desk for up to 3 hours. "The airline has adopted the computer system from America West and the ticket agents at SXM have not been properly trained how to use the system. There was frustration all around, with people outraged, screaming, being taken aside, and removed from planes." If you're flying US Airways to get to St Barths soon, call ahead and plan for some extra travel time.Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is scheduled to begin service from their Ft. Lauderdale hub to St Maarten at the end of April.
Depending on when you purchase your ticket, you may be charged for each piece of checked luggage. "For customers who purchased tickets prior to December 15, 2006, for each ticketed passenger, Spirit Airlines will transport two (2) bags as checked luggage free of charge. For customers who purchased tickets between December 15, 2006 and March 6, 2007, Spirit Airlines will transport one (1) piece of luggage at no charge per fare-paying customer. For customers who purchased tickets on or after March 6, 2007 for travel on or after June 20, 2007, charges will apply to each item transported as checked luggage. Spirit Airlines can only guarantee the transportation of one (1) item as checked luggage per fare paying customer. Additional bags can be paid for on a first-served basis; but Spirit cannot guarantee that there will be space for extra bags, and will not be held responsible for any additional items brought to the airport by the customer. Please note that space is extremely limited on certain flights."
