debd
Senior Insider
For anyone interested in the back and forth logistics we experienced - with testing, etc. (for now)
We traveled through SJU going down, and SXM going back.
Tradewinds tells you everything you need to know, and is very accessible, by phone or by email. Equipment very comfortable. SJU lounge a nice retreat. Crowds avoided, although the JFK/SJU flight was 100% full. Following TW instruction (no SJU health form required, but with a transit exception letter shown to personnel in the health check area), we were off the JetBlue flight, and at the TW desk in about 10/15 minutes. Approximately $650 pp. one way.
We chose to use the Verifly option, but were told that, while recommended by TW, it was not essential. Either show a Verifly pass (with vaccination and COVID test already recorded) or show hard copies or codes on your phone of vaccine card(s) and COVID test results. (We successfully used the Binax - with online proctor - at home, by the way.)
We are St. Barth Commuter loyalists/fans, but, with a JetBlue time change, we needed to book the return with WinAir to make the new connection. Able to do that on line, and subsequently check in (sort of - still needed to do the luggage thing). Staff at the desk very nice. (they also let us change to a later am flight) Flight was great. Equipment comfortable. We did our EHAS 72 hours before departure (easy), filled out the attestation letter for reentry to the US (after testing - Binax again), were able to print our boarding passes, and use the transit desk. Total time from SXM arrival, through security and immigration, on to waiting area - 10/15 minutes. Winair $122 pp, one way. St. Barth commuter is closer to $95 pp, one way, for the flexible fare, less for the "no changes" fare.
We heard lots of bad travel stories - weather, testing issues, missed connections, cancelled flights. We were really lucky both ways, including departing the greater NY area the day before a significant storm.
For me, it was stressful worrying about the testing, in both directions. Hubby was more laid back about it. It felt like a gift when the departure testing window went from 24 hours prior to (ugh) arrival on SBH to 48 hours prior to departure for SBH.
We cut our trip a few days short in case we needed to quarantine. Other than the market, we really laid low. Went to just 2 restaurants, and left one a little early when an unmasked couple came in, sat right next to us, despite a mostly empty restaurant, and were coughing away.
But, all in all, there's the beautiful island, gorgeous drives, great hiking and listening to the seas roll in, with a bottle of wine, baguette, some camembert - maybe a little salad and fruit - with my love. What's not to love and appreciate!!
l'annee prochaine!
We traveled through SJU going down, and SXM going back.
Tradewinds tells you everything you need to know, and is very accessible, by phone or by email. Equipment very comfortable. SJU lounge a nice retreat. Crowds avoided, although the JFK/SJU flight was 100% full. Following TW instruction (no SJU health form required, but with a transit exception letter shown to personnel in the health check area), we were off the JetBlue flight, and at the TW desk in about 10/15 minutes. Approximately $650 pp. one way.
We chose to use the Verifly option, but were told that, while recommended by TW, it was not essential. Either show a Verifly pass (with vaccination and COVID test already recorded) or show hard copies or codes on your phone of vaccine card(s) and COVID test results. (We successfully used the Binax - with online proctor - at home, by the way.)
We are St. Barth Commuter loyalists/fans, but, with a JetBlue time change, we needed to book the return with WinAir to make the new connection. Able to do that on line, and subsequently check in (sort of - still needed to do the luggage thing). Staff at the desk very nice. (they also let us change to a later am flight) Flight was great. Equipment comfortable. We did our EHAS 72 hours before departure (easy), filled out the attestation letter for reentry to the US (after testing - Binax again), were able to print our boarding passes, and use the transit desk. Total time from SXM arrival, through security and immigration, on to waiting area - 10/15 minutes. Winair $122 pp, one way. St. Barth commuter is closer to $95 pp, one way, for the flexible fare, less for the "no changes" fare.
We heard lots of bad travel stories - weather, testing issues, missed connections, cancelled flights. We were really lucky both ways, including departing the greater NY area the day before a significant storm.
For me, it was stressful worrying about the testing, in both directions. Hubby was more laid back about it. It felt like a gift when the departure testing window went from 24 hours prior to (ugh) arrival on SBH to 48 hours prior to departure for SBH.
We cut our trip a few days short in case we needed to quarantine. Other than the market, we really laid low. Went to just 2 restaurants, and left one a little early when an unmasked couple came in, sat right next to us, despite a mostly empty restaurant, and were coughing away.
But, all in all, there's the beautiful island, gorgeous drives, great hiking and listening to the seas roll in, with a bottle of wine, baguette, some camembert - maybe a little salad and fruit - with my love. What's not to love and appreciate!!
l'annee prochaine!
