Dwnislnd
SBH Member
We arrived at the Winair terminal in St Barts on Sunday August 5 approximately 45 minutes before our scheduled flight for 12:30 p.m. As we were checking in the counter gentleman explained that due to us being the only 2 passengers on the flight, he rescheduled us to the later flight at 1:25. I showed him we had a connection with delta and we had to be at the gate 1-hour prior to take off at 2:50. No worries he said, as he explained that he had called Winair in St. Martin to notify Delta that we would be arriving for the flight at 2:55.
Also he explained that we would really be leaving St Barts by 1:10-1:15.
We waited and when the Winair plane arrived in St Barts, which by the way when it landed, it was totally empty, not one person- nada, and it was 1:30. By the time we departed it was 1:40- we arrived in St. Martin at 1:55. After the bus ride and retrieving our bags, we walked to the outside tent to check in with Delta, that desk was closed. The ladies at the door allowed us entry to talk with the counter people at Winair.
The Winair counter immediately placed the blame on us for missing the flight from St. Barts and not notifying Delta. After producing documentation showing our original flight and baggage claim tickets, the counter person proceeded to call her supervisor to see what was the mix up.
Apparently Winair St. Barts never called anyone, or if they did, someone didn’t follow through in St. Martin. We never got a straight answer/ whatever it was - it was someone not doing his or her job.
After 2-hour discussion with the Winair counter in the lovely tented hot departure area of the airport, this is what happened with their great great customer service and relations. NOTHING. They spent 2 hours pointing fingers at St Martin and St Barts employees, but did absolutely nothing to assist us. Not even an offer of a glass of water. No hotel, no food, no cab, nothing. I was appalled at their lack of concern and service. The only thing the supervisor did was walk us to the taxi stand. They told us it wasn’t their policy to pay for rooms, food, taxis etc. for clients who had missed flight schedules, and to actually ask us why we didn’t insist on listening to the counter person call from St. Barts!
While the “supervisors” were trying to blame which employee was at fault and didn’t do their job, thankfully I was able to call Amex travel (yes travel service) and book us a room for 2 nights. 2 nights? You ask? Yes all flights were full till Tuesday. So I am writing this from St Martin - anxious to get home.
We will never use Winair again, and I will not recommend them to anyone who asks. And beware if they try to bump you on a plane that is more convenient for them, listen to them call for you—really? This was the poorest customer service I have experienced in a very long time.
We will use SBC for all of our future trips, no question about that decision, and if their scheduled flights don’t fit our schedule, I will charter a plane from them. It will be cheaper than spending and wasting time and money dealing with Winair.
Also he explained that we would really be leaving St Barts by 1:10-1:15.
We waited and when the Winair plane arrived in St Barts, which by the way when it landed, it was totally empty, not one person- nada, and it was 1:30. By the time we departed it was 1:40- we arrived in St. Martin at 1:55. After the bus ride and retrieving our bags, we walked to the outside tent to check in with Delta, that desk was closed. The ladies at the door allowed us entry to talk with the counter people at Winair.
The Winair counter immediately placed the blame on us for missing the flight from St. Barts and not notifying Delta. After producing documentation showing our original flight and baggage claim tickets, the counter person proceeded to call her supervisor to see what was the mix up.
Apparently Winair St. Barts never called anyone, or if they did, someone didn’t follow through in St. Martin. We never got a straight answer/ whatever it was - it was someone not doing his or her job.
After 2-hour discussion with the Winair counter in the lovely tented hot departure area of the airport, this is what happened with their great great customer service and relations. NOTHING. They spent 2 hours pointing fingers at St Martin and St Barts employees, but did absolutely nothing to assist us. Not even an offer of a glass of water. No hotel, no food, no cab, nothing. I was appalled at their lack of concern and service. The only thing the supervisor did was walk us to the taxi stand. They told us it wasn’t their policy to pay for rooms, food, taxis etc. for clients who had missed flight schedules, and to actually ask us why we didn’t insist on listening to the counter person call from St. Barts!
While the “supervisors” were trying to blame which employee was at fault and didn’t do their job, thankfully I was able to call Amex travel (yes travel service) and book us a room for 2 nights. 2 nights? You ask? Yes all flights were full till Tuesday. So I am writing this from St Martin - anxious to get home.
We will never use Winair again, and I will not recommend them to anyone who asks. And beware if they try to bump you on a plane that is more convenient for them, listen to them call for you—really? This was the poorest customer service I have experienced in a very long time.
We will use SBC for all of our future trips, no question about that decision, and if their scheduled flights don’t fit our schedule, I will charter a plane from them. It will be cheaper than spending and wasting time and money dealing with Winair.