SW to Jet BLue

Looking for alternatives to the gouging we're taking flying American and Delta from St Louis to SXM. How easy is it to transfer from Southwest to Jet Blue in Ft Lauderdale and return? How much time?

Good question Norm, I'm wondering/looking at the same thing from Des Moines. I'll wait for replies to you.

Ft. Lauderdale is a well laid out airport. If it was me making such an airlines switch, I would want a two hour layover or longer. Figure 15 minutes to get off the plane, another half hour to get your luggage, and another 15 minutes to reach the Jet Blue check-in desks and re-check your bags to SXM. Then, it would be a trip through security to get to the Jet Blue departure gates. I would say another 30 minutes for that. Keep in mind that Jet Blue at FLL is located in Concourse F of Terminal 3, but this isn't like JFK or O'Hare in Chicago. It's fairly easy to get from point A to point B in Ft. Lauderdale. Hope this helps.

Norm--your problem wouldn't be connection time, so much as TWO SEPARATE TICKETS. If you would happen to miss your first flight or if your first flight is seriously delayed and you miss your connection, then as far as the second flight is concerned, you are a flight NO SHOW. The first airline only has an obligation to get you to your final destination with THEM, even if it happens to be three hours late. The second airline has NO idea that you are connecting to a flight on another airline. If you are a no show, again, they owe you NOTHING. There's the rub.

Thanks for the info. Changing airlines is not high on my list. Wish SW would get around to starting service to SXM.

Norm--agreed. Any new competition is a good thing!

Hi Norm ... Carol is right about using two airlines. Southwest is pretty reliable, but if there's a long weather delay, etc. the anxiety isn't worth it. But, if the price fits here's another idea to consider. Fly Southwest from St. Louis to FLL the day before and book a hotel room near the airport. There are some very nice hotels in the vicinity. Relax and enjoy a nice dinner that evening (i.e., Tropical Acres!). Then take Jet Blue the next morning to St. Maarten. You get an extra day on vacation and you don't need to worry about missing your second flight. This is what a lot of people do when taking a cruise out of Port Everglades, FL. Just a thought.

Sammy--yes, that is an option. If I did it, that would probably be the way I would do it.

In fact, Carol I believe the FLL to SXM daily flight departs at 10:20 a.m. every morning (unless I'm wrong). If the initial flight to Fort Lauderdale lands any later than 7:30 a.m. it would be a huge gamble to switch airlines, land and catch the Jet Blue flight. I doubt if Southwest has an early morning flight from St. Louis that could reach Fort Lauderdale by that time. More of a reason to fly in the day before and then catch the hotel shuttle to FLL the following morning to get to the Jet Blue flight. I do like Norm's thinking, however. We all must find ways to 'out-think' the airlines these days!

I think it's about 10:50 AM, according to what I just saw as of May, but you're probably right. Doubt that there would be a schedule to meet that flight from St. Louis, correct.

Having lived in the FLL area since I was 4 years old, I agree with staying the night before. Try the small beach village of Lauderdale By The Sea, between Lauderdale & Pompano Beach. Try Beachside Village Resort for the overnight, Dave & Luckie are terrific, and eat at Aruba Beach Cafe with Guy. We're doing just that on May 10 before we get the JB flight to SXM on 5/11.

This is the exact trip we are doing in 24 days - we are flying on Southwest, Austin to Ft. Lauderdale the day before, staying at a hotel on the 17th Street Causeway that offers free shuttles back & forth between airport & hotel - we arrive early enough to enjoy a nice dinner in Ft. Lauderdale the night before the Jet Blue flight to St. Martin - doing the same thing on the way home.

We are too. Also staying on the causeway and going to dinner to a place that started out in the Boston area, so does fish the way they do it there--Haddock, Clams, Chowder, etc. Can't wait. Will also do the same restaurant on the way back. We are on the west side of Fla. so it gives us two extra days vacation--what could be wrong with that. Will rent a car one way going and returning because we stay too long to get any free parking at a hotel.

If anyone is looking for a great place to eat before catching their flight the next day to St. Maarten (or going on a cruise), let me mention this place again called 'Tropical Acres' on Griffin Road. Beautiful restaurant with ample seating so waiting for a table there is rare. Possibly the best prime rib I have ever had (and that's saying a lot). Great desserts, too. Even my wife had a piece of cheesecake! Less than a quarter mile from the airport, and within walking distance of many of the airport hotels including the Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, and Homewood Inn & Suites. The location eliminates the need to catch a taxi. It's a steakhouse first, but they also had a nice seafood variety along with Italian dishes. Prices were quite reasonable, too as I remember them. Their website is www.tropicalacres.com.

Did not realize Tropical Acres still existed - we lived in Boca Raton for 12 years (1975-1987) and ate there quite a few times - may have to give it a try again for old time's sake.

Thanks, Sammy. Good to know. The B6 FLL connection is an alternate route for me, and I will have the time to do a leisurely overnight if I choose it. It’s always good to have dinner recommendations there. Saves me from having to go down to the “Boston Bar”, the Village Pump in Lauderdale By The Sea.

It may just be me, but there's nothing like having a great dinner (with dessert) at a nice restaurant the night before going on vacation! Everything just seems to taste better. But at this place it really did!