Question: Tradewind SJU-SBH schedule in 2014

Hey, folks. Longtime lurker, first time poster here. We've made vacationing in SBH an annual tradition in May, and this year we are visiting in late May. We opted to finally give Tradewind Aviation a try out of SJU, since we've heard so many great things about them, in addition to the convenience of not having to set foot in St. Maarten. Their aircraft also look amazing inside!

Currently, Tradewind's schedule is only available through 5/15/2014, which has historically been the off-peak "cutoff" point where they stopped servicing SBH from SJU annually. Last year, they announced year-round service finally, which we were very excited to learn about, as our trips are often in late May.

We booked our flights to/from SJU already for late May based on the knowledge that Tradewind would be flying to SBH year round as announced in 2013. However, here we are in late January, and the schedule from SJU to SBH still terminates on 5/15.

I've tried calling/emailing a few times, and everyone has been very polite and assures me that the schedule is "coming soon." However, in September, I was told it would be released by late October. It wasn't. In November, I was assured it would be out by year-end, and it wasn't. Then, I was told it would be out in January for sure, and they are still telling me that they are "working on it."

Does anyone here have any good insight into their operations? Should I be trusting what I am being told here, or should I be cancelling my flights to SJU and changing them to SXM while I still can, and just hop over on WinAir as we have so often in the past?

I am a self-admitted over-thinker and worrier, but I am naturally apprehensive about the fact that an airline wouldn't have a schedule for May in late January. That seems to leave an awful amount of business on the table for other carriers to grab, and makes me concerned that they may be thinking of pulling the year-round service in favor of a seasonal SBH/SJU route like they've had in the past.

Any suggestions?

I spoke with them a couple of months ago and was told that they would have a similar schedule to last summer, which was SJU/SBH Thursday-Monday. It is a bit surprising that they don't have a summer schedule posted as yet.

Phil

Phil --

Yep, they communicated the same information to me -- reduced schedule for peak travel days during the week, coupled with fewer daily flights. Still, the fact that the schedule isn't available yet is concerning. I hope this works out. I really want to give them a try.

Hi Gary and welcome!

I had an email exchange with the owner a week or so ago and he told me they fully intend to have service next spring/summer, but hadn't loaded the schedule in yet.

Tradewind has been our choice of travel for some time now and we have nothing but the highest praise for their operations and service.
I would trust them

I understand the concern. However, May isn't the busiest time of the year, so you'll always have the opportunity to revert to the Winair solution should Tradewind not fulfill their engagements in time. Just give them a little more credit, and all should be fine. This is a trustworthy company.

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback re: Tradewind. This makes me feel much better about waiting it out!

Not sure if this answers your question, but we received an email from Tradewind earlier this week that says they are now booking spring and summer flights...

MantyPam said:

Not sure if this answers your question, but we received an email from Tradewind earlier this week that says they are now booking spring and summer flights...

Click to expand...

Yep! The schedule got extended a day or two after this post, so all is well. We're all booked and very much looking forward to flying with Tradewind!

You will be very happy flying with Tradewind. They are very professional and the pilots are adorable!!! And they basically hold your hand coming home through customs...since we have been without power for several days now our countdown has happily begun!!

Ok, so this is WAY behind on my part. But, we did end up booking with Tradewind last year after my posts and had an absolutely *wonderful* experience. We're all booked with them again for May this year. Beautiful planes, great service and such a step up from having to connect through St. Maarten.

Managed to take a pretty decent video of landing: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152128185393741&l=4197834003113228725

Here are some photos I snapped of their planes while on the beach, prior to the construction of the Fence of Doom.

You don't realize how fast you are going until you make that drop to the runway. Nice Video.

Also great pictures of the plane! Thanks.

Thanks! Flying in to SBH is one of my favorite parts of the trip, and being able to do it aboard a Pilatus makes it that much better!

Great pictures!!! Thanks

Next time I am considering Tradewind SJU-SXM using US Air to get to SJU. My question is ....can one book with the bags cked all the way thru to SBH. Bypassing immigration has been a nice perk making the trip so much easier.
Is this what they do? This yr I booked thru USAir and got my WinAir tix from them all on the same itinerary. I would think
Tradewinds should be able to do this too.
Since the flight choices for me to SBH would be either 130P or 430P I am wondering how much time to allow and how early I need to be there in SJU?

Tradewind does not have any interline baggage agreements that I am aware of. They do have a VIP service which will meet you at the gate, bring you to their checkin counter, and fetch your bags for you. Unless something has changed since I last used them in November, you will not have to re-clear security when traveling from SJU to SBH.

You will have to clear US Immigration, Customs, Agriculture, and TSA security on your return. I haven't asked for it lately, but Tradewind should be able to have a porter meet you outside of Customs and bring you and your bags to the Agriculture checkpoint, and then to the checkin counter.

No Imigrations or security on way down with Tradewind. After arriving on main carrier you go directly to their private waiting area lounge on upper level of terminal where there are snacks and libations...From there the agent escorts you down a back elevator to Tradewind plane. Carry ons are taken by agents. If you check a bag they will retrieve them for you at an additional fee. Connection time is no more than an hour.
Coming home the pilots hold your hand through the process till you get to your check in counter....
Recommend them highly

Tradewind has made some changes in SJU. We had some issues the last time we used them, and apparently we were not the only ones. Below is an excerpt from an email I recently received from them;

We have made some changes that I believe will put your travel plans at ease. In the past, we had Rome International handling our customer movements in SJU Airport. Due to many short comings in the service Rome supplied to our customers, and our extremely high expectations, we are happy to report we are now handling all our own customers exclusively with Tradewind staff. Each team member is employed by Tradewind and is in direct contact with our pilots and office staff for every flight. It is our policy that you will be personally escorted to the check-in area for your connecting airline by a Tradewind employee.

This applies to the return leg from SBH/SJU. The VIP service that Kevin mentions is for arrivals in SJU going to SBH.

Phil

More on the transfer:

Tradewind is now located in Terminal A in San Juan. Our check-in counter is located to the left of the JetBlue check-in counters

Please note the Tradewind check-in counter and departure lounge in Terminal A is located outside of TSA security where dining and food purchase options are limited. If you are planning on dining or purchasing food during your layover at SJU, you should do so before leaving the secure area and proceeding to the Terminal A check-in. Tradewind flights board directly from the non-secure area so you will not return to the secure area at any point.

Directions from other airlines in Terminal A (JetBlue, Cape Air, LIAT)

If you have bags to claim, proceed to the baggage claim area in the lower level. Collect bags and go up the escalator to level 2 for check-in. If you have no bags to claim, proceed out of the secure area and directly to the Tradewind check-in counter which is located to the left of the JetBlue counters.

Directions from Terminal C (United, Southwest, Spirit, Copa, Condor, Avianca, Westjet, Air Canada)

If you have bags to claim, proceed to the baggage claim area in the lower level. Exit baggage claim and proceed to level 2 in Terminal A for check-in. If you have no bags to claim, proceed directly to the Tradewind check-in counter which is located to the left of the JetBlue counters.

Directions from Concourse D (American Airlines, Delta, US Air, Seaborne)

If you have bags to claim, proceed to the baggage claim area in the lower level. Exit baggage claim and proceed to level 2 in Terminal A for check-in. If you have no bags to claim, proceed directly to the Tradewind check-in counter which is located to the left of the JetBlue counters.

After check-in, our representatives will guide you to our new private lounge in the third floor Mezzanine of Terminal A. This area also serves as our new departures gate. When it is time for boarding you will be escorted to the aircraft. There is no longer a need to pass through TSA security.