TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Arrival Facility updates?

Just wondering what the weekend experience in the temporary arrival facility was like?

One person posted a note in this thread.

Link They were not impressed.

Hopefully someone else will post another update.

Allegedly, there will be more changes around November 1.

I posted friends had no issues, a pleasant experience. Since spoke to someone who also had no issues. Probably based on number of flights, same as it's always been.

Good to hear. I've heard similar reports on numerous Facebook group posts. It is what it is and not word\th the worry.

One of the few times I agree with you. Why stress over something you can't change?

For me, it is helpful to know ahead of time that I am going to have a mess to deal with. I can prepare myself for it rather than hoping I am going to be in and out in no time.

We arrived 2 days ago. Jet Blue from JFK 6:35 am flight that was delayed due to a computer glitch. Arrived about 10:30, only plane in. Deplaned on the tarmac down steep stairs. Directed where to walk,with several people directing you. Keep moving, I saw one man not allowed to stop to wait for his family. quite a long way to the arrival facility which is very very small. Got inside pretty quick but I can foresee long lines outside when there’s more than one plane at a time. Problem with AC but it wasn’t too bad, but again, I can foresee problems with lots of people inside. Probably won’t be too great for high season.

OK, thanks for the report, pony.

Please let us hear about your time on island, when you get the chance!

What a JOKE! spend money on junk and not fix the real problem! We'll be there saturday afternoon. Nothing was worse than arriving during covid! So whatever this mess is, it's still going to be a breeze!!

Arrived this morning, JFK JB Flight. Eeezy Peezy. Granted it was the only jet there, but we arrived at 10:35 and pulled into the BSV gates at 11:25. And yes, we had to pick up luggage as well. It was a breeze and AC was working just fine. They really kept the line moving. Yes there were a lot of people, flight was just about full. But as I said, they really kept the line moving.

Glad you arrived OK. As you said, though, only jet there. That's a whole different situation than a Saturday arrival, with 4 different big jets at the same time.

Welcome ‘home’ and very happy to hear your arrival went well.🙂🙂

Can't wait to see you and John Pat. We'll get the place warmed up for you.

😊😊

Friends arrived yesterday. (Sunday). Said arrival hall was smooth. They were told new jetways would be in place when they leave Nov. 2.

Nov 2 of 2023? LOL - that will be incredible. Maybe there's hope for PJIA

You have to be kidding about the jetways. They were being trucked to the airport from the port when we were in St. Maarten the 1st week of March, 7 months ago! And they still haven't been installed?

They are installed. They will go operational and the upstairs of the airport (departure hall) will start being used, including the ramps around the first of November.

That is great news for our 2024 February trip. We are getting older and it has become a struggle to drag our carry-ons up or down those steps.

KitKat, I wouldn't hold your breath. Things aren't done until they are done. We will be there in December and while I am cautiously optimistic, I am probably going to be disappointed.

KitKat--Allegedly the regular DEPARTURE gates and jetways are supposed to be working as of November 1. (We will see if that actually happens.) So at least there will be no walking UP the stairs with the carry on bags. But I have no idea when the regular ARRIVAL jetways will be in place. They just put a 'temporary' arrival facility into place a few days ago.

It really makes no sense to me, how they could have the jetways working for departures, but not arrivals. But I guess we will see.

International arrival and departure passengers can not mix. There is always a separate hallway for arrivals to go to customs. So, until the arrivals hall and permanent customs area is complete, the jetways can only be used for passengers in one direction, and they are currently set up for departures.

Tony--I don't really understand all this stuff, but my question is more a logistical thing, as to where the plane is parked. Aren't they going to have to move the plane between when people disembark and when people get back on?

Good question.

In the past, even when the jetways were used, I have boarded and disembarked on the tarmac. Only 4 jetways.

Bluesfan--it depends on your airline. In the 'old' days, pre Irma, AA always had a jetway, as did every other airline I PERSONALLY have flown into Juliana, other than puddle-jumpers. I know that there are some airlines that don't get a jetway, if there are too many planes in. It is a matter of priority.

We've mostly flown Delta and personally never had a jetway with them.

Carol- I assume they will deplane with stairs and ramps as they are doing now, and then pull the jetway up for departure. Should not have to move the plane.
Heading down on Nov 6, will report back.

Tony--OK, as I said, I don't know how these things work. If they can do that and not have to start the plane's engines back up, that would work. I really hope the jetways will be in place for your trip, although my level of confidence is fairly low.

irish--do you also mostly go in high season? We almost always go in low season these days, which means many less planes. From BSV, we would see Delta planes at jetways all the time.

We came in yesterday and deplaned by stairs and walked to the new arrival center. Being the only plane and with all carry on luggage it was ok. From plane to exit in about 10 minutes. That being said, with several planes in at one time and checked luggage I foresee a nightmare.

Thanks for Update Arrive 11/4/23 2:30 pm. Will post update for all on arrival

Today will be a mess. 4 major airlines coming in between 2 & 2:45. 2 of those are KLM & Air France. Another site said it was a sh##t show yesterday. Today looking similar. Not looking forward to standing outside in January but it is what it is. Report says not finished until long after we leave. Oh well.

No, almost go in low season. Get steps 9 times out of 10.

Irish--guess you should book AA then.

We arrived today direct flight from Newark and was 20 minutes early. We embarked on a stairway to a bus to the temporary arrival. In total it took about 25-30 minutes to get through customs and our luggage was there in less than a few minutes. Our flight which was full was the only one at customs bet there were 2 planes parked that must have arrived earlier.
Bob

We don’t normally mind the steps and prefer to fly Delta from ATL. This week we ARE flying AA from CLT with connection in Miami because we are traveling with kids who live in CLT. I’m not an AA fan, but it it gets me to SXM...all is good!

Surprized you didn't get the CLT to SXM flight instead of having to connect through MIA.

There was no direct flight for our dates when we booked. We do have a direct flight home.

👍