WinAir layover time and VIP service?

N

Nscyber09

SBH Member
Hello,

My wife and son and I are visiting early next year. Last time we flew with trade wind but this time we are routed through sxm. Is the standard 2 hours layover time in sxm enough or can it it 1.5hrs?

I went through the website but didn’t see how I can add the vip service as an add-on? Is this not done through WinAir?
Pros and cons of winair vs st Barth commuter?

Thank you
 
steelpe said:

Honestly, if I am going through SXM, I am probably going to book SBC and only book Winair if I have to.
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D'accord! St. Barth Commuter is the way to go! Re: transfer time, you don't say whether you will have checked luggage or only "carry on." With checked luggage, I'd say that you should go with the 2 hour "window" . . . with carry-on luggage only, 1.5 hrs generally would be sufficient. Note, also, that SBC provides some assistance in transferring to / from its flights . . . you may not need VIP service -- I recommend that you check with SBC to see what they'll do for you.
 
we mostly avoid SXM but prefer 2 pilots not single pilot . . . even on "hopper" flight.

plus, SBC very limited mid/late afternoon flights vs Winair, so happy to spend the 300€ for streamlined experience.
 
Thank you everyone for your help. We will have 2 checked bags

SBC has 1 pilot!? I don’t know how I feel about that either!
 
Nscyber09 said:
Thank you everyone for your help. We will have 2 checked bags

SBC has 1 pilot!? I don’t know how I feel about that either!
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Well, as long as you know what you are getting into. Just keep your expectations low.

We have been to SBH 4x. The first 3x we used Winair. The last time we used SBC. That one time was enough.... but I would use Winair if I couldn't get SBC to work.
 
A quick check with AI regarding safety record of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft used by SBC:
"The Cessna Caravan is widely considered an exceptional utility and busy plane. Often called the 'pickup truck of the skies,' it is a rugged, highly reliable, and versatile single-engine turboprop capable of hauling heavy cargo or up to 14 passengers into rough, short, and unpaved airstrips." Also noteworthy: "Powered by the legendary Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine, known for incredible dispatch reliability."
 
cec1 said:
A quick check with AI regarding safety record of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft used by SBC:
"The Cessna Caravan is widely considered an exceptional utility and busy plane. Often called the 'pickup truck of the skies,' it is a rugged, highly reliable, and versatile single-engine turboprop capable of hauling heavy cargo or up to 14 passengers into rough, short, and unpaved airstrips." Also noteworthy: "Powered by the legendary Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine, known for incredible dispatch reliability."
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I think the poster was questioning the reliability of a single pilot. US requires 2 pilots.
 
I would 2nd James at Premium lV-we always used them when we traveled through SXM-Our annual trip to St Barts is now from Pittsburgh-San Juan-overnight at the Vanderbilt Hotel and wake up fresh the next day with an early Tradewinds flight to St Barts
 
TERP37 said:
I would 2nd James at Premium lV-we always used them when we traveled through SXM-Our annual trip to St Barts is now from Pittsburgh-San Juan-overnight at the Vanderbilt Hotel and wake up fresh the next day with an early Tradewinds flight to St Barts
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Exquisite!
 
Nscyber09 said:
Hello,

My wife and son and I are visiting early next year. Last time we flew with trade wind but this time we are routed through sxm. Is the standard 2 hours layover time in sxm enough or can it it 1.5hrs?

I went through the website but didn’t see how I can add the vip service as an add-on? Is this not done through WinAir?
Pros and cons of winair vs st Barth commuter?

Thank you
Click to expand...
I’d stick with the 2-hour layover if you can, especially since you’re traveling with a child and SXM can get pretty busy at times. An hour and a half might work if everything is on schedule, but I wouldn’t want to cut it that close. For the VIP service, I believe you need to arrange that separately rather than adding it directly through Winair, but someone else may have more current info. We’ve used both Winair and St Barth Commuter and honestly found them pretty comparable, with the main difference being schedules and price. I’d just pick whichever gives you the better connection and timing for your particular travel day.
 
Tom Flex said:
I’d stick with the 2-hour layover if you can, especially since you’re traveling with a child and SXM can get pretty busy at times. An hour and a half might work if everything is on schedule, but I wouldn’t want to cut it that close. For the VIP service, I believe you need to arrange that separately rather than adding it directly through Winair, but someone else may have more current info. We’ve used both Winair and St Barth Commuter and honestly found them pretty comparable, with the main difference being schedules and price. I’d just pick whichever gives you the better connection and timing for your particular travel day.
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On SBH, there is an exclusive arrangement between WinAir and Fivestars Airport Services for WinAir passengers departing SBH who request VIP service. The exclusivity is not true for passengers arriving SXM who want VIP ("meet & greet") service to SBH . . . at SXM, that is, other providers (for example, Premium IV) are allowed to offer services for arriving passengers in transit to SBH.
 
cec1 said:
On SBH, there is an exclusive arrangement between WinAir and Fivestars Airport Services for WinAir passengers departing SBH who request VIP service. The exclusivity is not true for passengers arriving SXM who want VIP ("meet & greet") service to SBH . . . at SXM, that is, other providers (for example, Premium IV) are allowed to offer services for arriving passengers in transit to SBH.
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"Since October 16th, 2025, Five Stars Airport Services has entered into an exclusive partnership with Winair for Meet & Greet services in Sint Maarten and St. Barts. Five Stars is now the sole provider authorized to pre-check passengers and their luggage on all Winair flights."

Hmm . . .
 
cassidain said:
"Since October 16th, 2025, Five Stars Airport Services has entered into an exclusive partnership with Winair for Meet & Greet services in Sint Maarten and St. Barts. Five Stars is now the sole provider authorized to pre-check passengers and their luggage on all Winair flights."

Hmm . . .
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Inconsistent with what I've been told by Premium IV. Maybe there has been a change.
 
cassidain said:
"Since October 16th, 2025, Five Stars Airport Services has entered into an exclusive partnership with Winair for Meet & Greet services in Sint Maarten and St. Barts. Five Stars is now the sole provider authorized to pre-check passengers and their luggage on all Winair flights."

Hmm . . .
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Thanks everyone for all the kind advice. So the only VIP service available is Five Stars?
 
I would check with Winair and see if that arrangement with Five Stars is exclusive or not... if not, you can also use Premium IV or St Barth Services, both are excellent.
 
elgreaux said:
I would check with Winair and see if that arrangement with Five Stars is exclusive or not... if not, you can also use Premium IV or St Barth Services, both are excellent.
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Agree.
My quote from Five Star website but best to confirm with Winair
 
Vincent and his VIP services do indeed service Winair flights to and from SBH. There is a new check in requirement on SBH if using Premium VIP that you need to be at the Winair desk in person when checking in your luggage. Previously, they would pick up your luggage, check it in and you could just show up 30 mins before takeoff. We have used both VIP services but prefer Vincent and his team. Very personalized.
 
CaribbeanSoul said:
Vincent and his VIP services do indeed service Winair flights to and from SBH. There is a new check in requirement on SBH if using Premium VIP that you need to be at the Winair desk in person when checking in your luggage. Previously, they would pick up your luggage, check it in and you could just show up 30 mins before takeoff. We have used both VIP services but prefer Vincent and his team. Very personalized.
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Is there usually a long line and is this something Vincent helps expedite or it’s out of his hands? Trying to determine the value in the VIP service if we still need to wait in a long line (in case of being rushed) vs not getting the VIP service and having to do the same things anyways.

Last time we flew through SXM it was during Covid and we had to fill out an SXM arrival form. Is this still the case and anyone know how soon in advance it’s okay to do it?
 
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