Win Air vs. St. Barth Commuter

stbartshopper

stbartshopper

Senior Insider
We have only used Win Air because way back when IDF recommend we use such and have done the same ever since. In checking fares, St. Barth Commuter always seems to be less. At check in for either direction- SBH-SXM and vice versa, the lines always seem shorter for St. Barth Commuter. The available flights for both seem adequate. It seems just as easy to make a reservation on either airline. Win Air has an agreement with United on baggage but we always fly AA or Delta. Our family joined us last year and all used St. Barth Commuter with no hitches. We have never had a baggage problem with Win Air. Why then have we never used St. Barth Commuter? And what about Windward Air?
We would appreciate member comments on experiences between the two/three airlines. We may decide to use only St. Barth Commuter in the future and besides it is owned by an island resident.
 
. . . generally more difficult to get a reservation with St. Barth Commuter, which always is my first choice. Having said that, I'll add that WinAir has taken great care of me for many, many years & miles.
 
We've only used Winair since we've been coming to SBH since 1996. The Winair schedule has more available flights at the time we usually come down; SBC never seems to offer as many choices (we usually come anytime between April and June, dependent upon our work schedules). SBC definitely has better rates, hands down. Also, I believe Winair and Winward Air are one in the same.
 
St. Barts Commuter has fewer flights so if your flight to SXM is delayed and you miss the connection your only options will be to spend the night in SXM or take the ferry.
 
LMAC said:
St. Barts Commuter has fewer flights so if your flight to SXM is delayed and you miss the connection your only options will be to spend the night in SXM or take the ferry.
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I have spent an unscheduled night in SXM. If I need to make that choice again I would consider flying back to EWR, sleeping at the Marriott and returning the next day. :)
 
Have used winair twice and sbc commuter once. Sbc was cheaper and a very good experience, however, we arrive considerably earlier than expected and watched winair flight after flight take off while we waited for our sbc flight. Previous trips on winair when we arrived early we were fortunate enough to be placed on earlier flights. For us the # of options for flights gives the advantage to winair, which is the airline we selected for our upcoming trip in April.
 
I ran into an unavoidable issue some years back and was given great customer service by St Barth Commuter. I will remain loyal to them to the death! Nothing against WinAir, for the record.
 
We usually use SBC but had to select Winair this time because we have a group of 6.

Question 1: Since we are flying United can we check bags all the way through to SBH? Or do we still need to go through the customs hassle?
Question 2: Does Winair ever let someone grab an earlier flight to SBH if there is a seat? I've tried this in the US but it never works. Seems to me SBC will depart early if all the passengers are there and waiting.
 
NorCalCpl said:
We usually use SBC but had to select Winair this time because we have a group of 6.

Question 1: Since we are flying United can we check bags all the way through to SBH? Or do we still need to go through the customs hassle?
Question 2: Does Winair ever let someone grab an earlier flight to SBH if there is a seat? I've tried this in the US but it never works. Seems to me SBC will depart early if all the passengers are there and waiting.
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According to the WinAir website United is one of the airlines with an Interline agreement so you should be able to check your bags all the way thru- http://www.fly-winair.sx/aboutus/connecting-flights.html

We have been put on an earlier flight if there is room. Ask when you get to the gate.
 
I always schedule plenty of time between my arrival at SXM and departure on Win Air in case we are delayed at EWR. I cannot recall the last time we were not able to catch an earlier WinAir flight.
 
Question 3: I assume if we decide to go all carry-on we still need to go through the customs hassle regardless unless we pay $$ for the VIP transfer (which is awesome but pricey for 6 people).
 
kent1994 said:
I always schedule plenty of time between my arrival at SXM and departure on Win Air in case we are delayed at EWR. I cannot recall the last time we were not able to catch an earlier WinAir flight.
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Kent- you leave from Newark and not PHL? I just can't get to driving to Newark going and then coming home. PHL is only 15 minutes away.
 
NorCalCpl said:
Question 3: I assume if we decide to go all carry-on we still need to go through the customs hassle regardless unless we pay $$ for the VIP transfer (which is awesome but pricey for 6 people).
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The answer is NO! You go directly to the Transfer Desk, get your boarding passes from WinAir and go thru the expedited security next to the Transfer Desk.
 
The trick with getting bags checked all the way through (in my experience) is getting a good agent in your departure airport. We manged to do so last February on United but the agent ended up taking my word for it :tongue: that the Winair code is WM and the airport is SBH. Bags arrived just fine (before us actually.)

RE getting stuck in SXM, that happened to us once, with Winair. AND it was mechanical difficulties but they refused to do anything for us. Luckily United rebooked us the next day for no fee, but we were stuck paying for our hotel.

We also used Winair in November and as I noted on another thread, barely made our flight. Thanks to an SXM employee who went the extra mile (not a common occurrence IMHO) we got our boarding passes after check in officially closed. She also helped another couple after us.
 
We've always used and gotten good service in the past from Winair. This year we decided to go with SBC and Premium IV to SBH. That worked great as Vincent handled our checked bag all the way to the villa without our having to touch it.

Returning home yesterday on SBC with a checked bag caused me some concern as I had only allowed two hours connection time in SXM for our flights with AA. Sensing our concern, the SBC agent had us escorted through the Immigration line at SXM to reclaim our bag. As was noted by the Hopper, there was an AA agent in the SXM baggage claim area to recheck our bag. We then went up the elevator straight to the front of the line at the upstairs Security checkpoint. The whole process probably took only 15 minutes, but next time I'll allow 3 hours in case there's a meltdown somewhere along the way.
 
andynap said:
Kent- you leave from Newark and not PHL? I just can't get to driving to Newark going and then coming home. PHL is only 15 minutes away.
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Andy for us PHL is 90 minutes and Newark is 120. We fly United. EWR is a hub for United so if there is mechanical issue it is much more likely that another plane will be available. As I mentioned above I really do not want to spend the night in St. Maarten or take the ferry so it seems like cheap insurance. If I lived where you do I would use PHL.
 
We've flown both. No issues with either. Done carryon and checked bags. I prefer SBC, but as MrBart mentioned, WinAir has many more flights to SBH and you will watch people getting out of SXM while you're waiting for yours. We can't get to SXM from STL until 2:30ish.

A couple weeks ago, we arrived early, took our time getting off the plane, using the restrooms, checking in at the Transit desk, then through security, on to Gate C. We didn't wait more than an hour as they boarded us a little early. I find the whole process to be easy with either airline.
Use what works best for your schedule and budget on both ends of the trip.
 
bto said:
Use what works best for your schedule and budget on both ends of the trip.
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This^^^^^

Since we started returning on Sunday we usually do SBC to and Winair back. And yes, I do complain about Winair but we still fly them because SBC has so few flights on Sunday you have to book early or are out of luck.
 
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