Re: Southwest coming to STT early 2026
MKGrey
Yesterday at 09:11 PM
Manpot, I would love it if such a thing could materialize. That said, I doubt very seriously that it ever will. I'm not even sure it would be reasonable to expect the USVI government to incur significant expense in the interest of easing the travel burden for tourists who intend to spend their $$$ in a neighboring territory. It doesn't seem to me that the USVI government would have much motivation around this initiative, if at all.
I know that many prefer the ferry to flights into EIS. I have had great success with the new AA flights from MIA-EIS. Now if we could just get Delta to commit to flying their A220 fleet into EIS from ATL (as GeorgeC1 suggests), increasing competition on routes from the US, I think most would be better served.
On our most recent trip a few weeks ago, we flew into STT (MCO-STT non-stop) for the first time in years. I was reminded why we went away from this route whenever possible. I spent the entire 45 minutes that we had before the Native Son departure upstairs at the Petite Pump Room filling out online entry requirements for my crew of six via my iPhone on a system that could have been better programmed by my 16 year old. This, of course, was because the new BVI entry portal did not work properly when I attempted to do so from my home PC, 24 hours earlier. After finishing the online process, I hurriedly paid my tab, and headed onto a Native Son ferry that was completely packed, and had to sit downstairs (inside). The trip over was a bit rougher than usual, and the two 20-something young ladies seated in front of my daughter and myself proceeded to go back and forth to the onboard restroom multiple times each due to seasickness. Upon arrival we waited in a long line at Customs & Immigration, where (as usual) no one was interested in processing the non-belongers with any degree of speed or efficiency.
Unfortunately, I'm only able to make it down 1-2 times a year for 10 days at a time. Each day I have on-island is precious to me and my family. When considering the significant cost associated with BVI travel (and chartering) in the first place, the additional cost associated with the AA flights have never seemed more worth it to me. And yes, I have experienced delays in the past when flying EIS-SJU and then onto the US mainland. I guess the bottom line is: different strokes for different folks.
In the end, I consider it a privilege to be able to experience the beauty of the BVI the way we do with my family & friends. We are willing to put up with nearly whatever it takes to do so (reference the COVID entry requirements in May and November of 2021). I too wish that the powers that be would make it easier for all involved, but it really is a "first world" kind of problem.
