What if I miss my Winair Flight to St Barts?

joryusa

New Member
My husband and I are flying from Phila to St. Barts on American in April 2017 and we screwed up the Winair flight time from St. Martin to St. Barts. Years ago, Winair would put passengers on the next available flights, but now they are telling us if we don't pay $80 to change our reservation we may not get on a flight to St. Barts that day. Besides not wanting to pay the change fee, American could change their arrival time or the flight arrival could be delayed even if we pay it, so we're debating taking our chances. Can anyone give me some insight into how strict Winair handles their flights in situations like this?
 
It has been our experience that Winair talks the talk "now" but when you actually get to SXM they are quite accommodating. AND, if all
else fails - you take the ferry or spend the night and leave the next day. I always check the status of the sea (white caps, etc.) as we
land in case we might have to take the ferry. I understand you may get a refund if you don't use the ticket -- then again, you may not.
Best thing to do is hope for the best, but go with info. on the ferry departures and places to stay if necessary. (Not that this is very helpful!)
 
My husband and I are flying from Phila to St. Barts on American in April 2017 and we screwed up the Winair flight time from St. Martin to St. Barts. Years ago, Winair would put passengers on the next available flights, but now they are telling us if we don't pay $80 to change our reservation we may not get on a flight to St. Barts that day. Besides not wanting to pay the change fee, American could change their arrival time or the flight arrival could be delayed even if we pay it, so we're debating taking our chances. Can anyone give me some insight into how strict Winair handles their flights in situations like this?
How much time between landing in SXM and your Win flight?
If you wind up taking the ferry or stay overnight it's going to cost at least $80. I would change my reservation to make sure I got on the right flight and for peace of mind.
 
How much time between landing in SXM and your Win flight?
If you wind up taking the ferry or stay overnight it's going to cost at least $80. I would change my reservation to make sure I got on the right flight and for peace of mind.


The biggest "expense"is the lost night of villa rental or hotel room. That's a bummer!
 
We have done both- pay the change fee and also take the risk of getting on another flight without making the change. After years of going to the island, our conclusion is to take the chance. Win Air has never failed us when our plane has arrived late or American changed the arrival time! One way or another, we have always made it to the island same day of arrival in SXM. Of course, if your plane to SXM arrives after the last flight of the day, you are in "duck soup" whether you pay the change fee or not and then it is ferry time or spend the night in SXM. If you will sleep better then pay the change fee as it is not worth the aggravation of worrying when you should be dreaming of that Le Ti Punch in your hands!
 
How much time between landing in SXM and your Win flight?
If you wind up taking the ferry or stay overnight it's going to cost at least $80. I would change my reservation to make sure I got on the right flight and for peace of mind.

I'm with Andy. Also, if there's no way to get a decent connection time in SXM, I would consider engaging the services of Premium IV to improve your chances of getting to St. Barth with your luggage on the day you travel.
 
My husband and I are flying from Phila to St. Barts on American in April 2017 and we screwed up the Winair flight time from St. Martin to St. Barts. Years ago, Winair would put passengers on the next available flights, but now they are telling us if we don't pay $80 to change our reservation we may not get on a flight to St. Barts that day. Besides not wanting to pay the change fee, American could change their arrival time or the flight arrival could be delayed even if we pay it, so we're debating taking our chances. Can anyone give me some insight into how strict Winair handles their flights in situations like this?

Thanks everyone for the input. I am going to call Winnair to change my rez with them.
 
I'm with Andy. Also, if there's no way to get a decent connection time in SXM, I would consider engaging the services of Premium IV to improve your chances of getting to St. Barth with your luggage on the day you travel.

Or cut the middle man and deal with the actual agents in SXM (cheaper and same service since PIV is outsourcing to them):

Halley Aviation Services: halleytravel@sintmaarten.net
 
This topic is about "making a connection" in SXM. Once in SBH, the problem is solved.

The whole idea of paying for a VIP / Expedited Service is to smooth out the transit in SXM.

So why not pay the right price for it instead of the inflated one? Basic math. Again, there are the same agents!

Also, most are repeat island visitors who know how simple it is to arrive in St Barths.

Airline desk, car rental, villa rental agency, taxi, hotel shuttle.... all easy to locate and address. No need for VIP service here!
 
Would be interesting to hear from P IV on the topic, just to confirm that their agents in SXM are indeed the agents of Halley Aviation Services...

Also, here are the real prices for the service in SXM:

Curbside meeting
Assistance with commercial airline checkin processes
Expeditious escort through immigration/security formalities
Assistance with priority boarding where applicable
Access to airport lounge
Extraordinary services on request
Seamless transfer services between flights
Assistance with baggage reclaim or transfer
Immigration/Customs clearance
Transportation services (if requested)


$60.00
1 person
$85.00
2 persons
$125.00
3-5 persons
$175.00
6-9 persons
$10.00
10+ (per head charge)


Lounge access is $20 per person, for persons above 12years of age. Soft drinks, wine, coffee, tea, hot/cold hors-d'oeuvres and WiFi access are included in this cost.


Operations Manager
Halley Aviation Services N.V.
 
This topic is about "making a connection" in SXM. Once in SBH, the problem is solved.
Actually, the topic is What if I miss my Winair flight to St Barts?
But, as to Halley, I'm not finding a lot of info- no website, no rating, etc. and, as to meeting in SBH, I suggest there are some who do need assistance there- us for instance, that's why I asked.
 
How is "miss my Winair flight" any different than "making a connection in SXM"? Same topic.

As far as Halley Aviation Services is concerned, they are the oldest agency in SXM airport. They were here well before P IV, EasyWay, and all the others. They probably don't need much advertising as such?

On a broader scale, the Halley family has been running many businesses in Juliana airport for generations. For instance, Windward Express Airways (an advertiser of sbhonline) is owned by Jean Halley, a relative to the owners of Halley Aviation Services NV. You will also find many "Halley's" in the administration of the airport. It's a well known and respected name around here.

Surely P IV or EasyWay are the ones to be used for assistance in SBH as they are locals. It is the same principle for SXM, if you need a expedited / VIP Service between flights, use the locals!
 
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