TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin SXM to US Necessary Layover Time

SXM here we come! We booked AA back to US through Charlotte. Is 1:35 enough time to clear customs and make our connections with or without global entry?

It is tight but doable. Depends how many other flights are going through customs at that time. Last year passport scanners were quick, but only 4 officers in booths. Line was really backed up. Luggage was slow also. Just made it to next gate.

Will you have checked bags? If so, I'd be kind of concerned.. Flights are often late leaving SXM. Is there a later flight to your home that you might be able to catch if you miss it?

Time of day and day of the week will also have a bearing on time needed.

Our November trip had a 1:29 connect time, and we made it in plenty of time, checking bags, with GE, and having to walk to our connecting gate somewhere in Virginia. I didn't like the connect time, but I didn't want to take a morning flight out of SXM, or overnight in CLT.

As others have stated, many factors can come into play. Day of week, leaving SXM on time, luggage and the biggest IMHO is the number of other international flights arriving prior to your flight. I have had to sit on the plane at the gate for close to 30 minutes due to the immigration hall being full. Another 1.5-2 hours to clear that mess and you would not make your connection.

Thanks for your input everyone. Flying back on a friday in mid November. We do have a later flight we could take if we miss. However was not sure if it was too risky to even try. We are super excited to visit SXM!

As long as there is a later flight, I would not be too concerned. If you make the earlier one, good for you and if not at least you have another option.

You have already received some good feedback. You should be OK. We've been going to SXM for a long time. I would estimate that we have departed from Julianna on or almost on time about 10 times out of 30. Checked bags will definitely add some time but as already mentioned multiple flights and reduced personnel at Customs, Immigration and Security can hurt your schedule the most. We have been on flights where everyone with a connection missed it.
Having said all that, there are things in life that you can control and those you cannot. I try to balance that adage with bourbon.

thanks so much.

.........[b]I try to balance that adage with bourbon.


Now there's a very wise man!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, the later flight makes it a lot less risky...

You should be fine; Fridays are much better than Saturdays with regard to delays in SXM and crowds in CLT. We've made a 90-minute connection in CLT on a Friday two years in a row now.

Cruzar. You must have had to walk to Terminal E. Took me a while.

On our most recent return to DTW we had less than 1 hour in Charlotte because AA left SXM late. Since it was a Tuesday in early Dec we were through immigration quickly with an agent who realized we were late. We had carry-on only and ran but we made it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />