Are we using the SXM jetway or still loading buses and climbing stairs to our planes? Asking for a friend
- Thread starter heelhoo
- Start date
amyb
Senior Insider
You have yourself one gorgeous cat! Seal Point?
cassidain
Senior Insider
last February we were crammed (literally) on a bus (no first class privileges afforded) on the tarmac and shuttled to the terminal.
fortunately we had PIV waiting to save us from the inconveniences and annoyances of the rest of the gruesome SXM experience.
In my experience, whether a bus is used or a jet bridge is not consistent -- it will be a bus if the limited # of jet bridges already are occupied.
Saline Man
SBH Insider
SXM has 4 jet bridges. It is a numbers game.
KevinS
Senior Insider
There are only 4 jetways at SXM. It appears that KLM and Air France get preference. Chances are that you will be using the stairs and a bus if you’re on any other airline. There are 5-6 US flights every day(more on Saturdays), plus other large flights from Caribbean countries such as the DR and Panama. As Saline Mam said, it’s a numbers game.
cassidain
Senior Insider
guess Delta a junior member of SkyTeam Alliance
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
Leading up to our May arrival, was listening to the SXM YouTube video with ATC (Air Traffic Controller) and it seemed more first come first served, although the bigger AF & KLM flights maybe got some priority? We have flown in twice from CDG and descended on the tarmac both times.
This visit, we were the early AA flight from MIA and I had high hopes we'd get a Jetway, but the flight was an hour delayed leaving MIA and we ended up being bussed from the tarmac, along with our friends on the adjacent DAL from ATL. Overall, not bad as we were SBC and they take good care of us.
Departure a couple of weeks later (on a Friday) was a total sh*t show. Flights backed up and the downstairs area was standing room only with temperatures and tempers rising. We ended up on the sixth plane sitting on the tarmac.
Vowed to return to using TW, as we have done in the past, but now figuring the price differential better spent at L'Esprit, etc....
This visit, we were the early AA flight from MIA and I had high hopes we'd get a Jetway, but the flight was an hour delayed leaving MIA and we ended up being bussed from the tarmac, along with our friends on the adjacent DAL from ATL. Overall, not bad as we were SBC and they take good care of us.
Departure a couple of weeks later (on a Friday) was a total sh*t show. Flights backed up and the downstairs area was standing room only with temperatures and tempers rising. We ended up on the sixth plane sitting on the tarmac.
Vowed to return to using TW, as we have done in the past, but now figuring the price differential better spent at L'Esprit, etc....
Beachcomber
SBH Insider
As Jimmy Buffett once said “growing old is not for sissies.”. I’m afraid my days of puddle jumpers and even the thought of flying coach are behind me. My solution for now is to fly first class and have the concierge bring me to my villa (rental) in Terre Basses. It’s as easy as a trip to Miami.
Arriving into Florence, Italy, in July 2022, surprised to find not a single jetway, going down steps with metal railings to hold onto difficult since railing so hot in the 100 degree wx. I really felt the burn!
TERP37
SBH Insider
I have bypassed SXM many years ago for all the reasons listed--Tradewinds is the only way to go for us!!-Pittsburgh -Charlotte-San Juan--overnight in San Juan at the Vanderbilt hotel-enjoy a good meal and a cocktail-bed fairly early-good nights sleep and take one of the morning Tradewinds flights to St Barts and enjoy a full day on the island on arrival day!
100% on the team!
