TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin What do you look for in a airline?

Is it price, non stop or closest airport. Does parking and hotel cost also count!!! My choice is Jet Blue out of Boston. Direct Flight and Good Price [under $500 RT]. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

getting there safe and on time.

Unless you are in the northeast, most have only 1 or 2 choices, if that. Almost never a non-stop, high fares and less than desirable connections.

1 stop, under $1000 and get to SXM on the same day.

Your profile pic says you're in Conway, SC?

My numero uno requirement when flying to SXM is n/s with price and convenient location both being close seconds. Coming home is a no-brainer for me - JB - but only because they have their own Immigration Hall at JFK and you don't have to walk a mile to reach it. Or at least we haven't yet...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Traveling from the west coast of Canada, non-stop is not an option. We look for a minimum of hassle, so we are prepared to pay extra to reduce the number of countries we travel through. That means we have only one option (WestJet).

We consider ourselves fortunate that WestJet ends up being the default choice because we always find their staff to be friendly and efficient.

Just moved. Did out of Boston to SXM for 30 years.

My favorite for SXM is JB because of the BOS N/S, the extra comfort seats and very minimal flight changes after booking.

Favorite for USA flights is JB or SWA (price/reliable schedule)

International...Delta (yup)...Delta Comfort seats and on demand video helps immensely on a long flight

I check to see what Spirit is offering and then I look for the opposite.

I look mostly for flight times, same day arrival etc...... Then price.

Ha!

From Detroit, the best I can get is one stop, same day, and around $1000.00 -- at Christmas/New Year

Most of the country only WISHES they had a choice of a nonstop, regardless of the price. Right now our preferred airline is AA nonstop from Miami, for which we drive 3.5 hours one way, and usually pay a pretty penny for it. If and when Southwest and Jet Blue come to Ft. Lauderdale, my choice might change, but we will still be driving 3 hours one way for a nonstop.

Would have to say!!! Reliability, price and for us, non stop... We get all with jet blue. Have not had any major issues with this air line... We used to fly A.A. but they started becoming unreliable big time... Anything could happen, but so far our choice is jet blue... We travel 2 hours to J.F.K. and are lucky to be able to fly non stop... For us, a reliable airline...

How do you get to SXM now...thru CLT?

Did not go this year bought a home near Myrtle Beach. Will use CLt in future if we go back to SXM.

I look for the best bang for my buck on the days and schedule for my travel. Also use of my mileage plan for my needs.

Be prepared for sticker shock.

Just checked flight from CLT w/stop in Miami $579.RT. Not Bad

For me it's not a 1st, 2nd, 3rd priority, but some mix of factors. These for sure include price, # of stops, time of flights, duration if there is a stop.

I am willing to trade off one factor for another. What gets traded changes year by year, date by date. I'll definitely pay a premium for a direct flight. Luckily out of Toronto there are plenty on non-stops, but on several occasions we have had to make connections.

This year's trip we had to compromise on price because of the timing of University Reading Week. There were simply no cheap seats available. Thank heaven for points.

No, that's not bad at all. Our flights in November and December were substantially more than that, but we fly out of New Bern and are non-stop after we get on in CLT.

I checked for Dec.1-8th.

From Portland, Oregon. Best routing, cost of first class, mileage plan. Mostly end up on AA now that there is no US Error. Not a fan of United, Delta is an option but not a favorite and Jet Blue does not work for us.

We adjust our dates to find the right price.
T

We have changed our priorities on air travel as we aged. Used to be all about price. That's still a consideration but comfort, convenience, and cooperation of airline personnel have become more important.
Used to have limited choices and mostly flew USAir if we wanted to fly out of Harrisburg (20 minutes from our house). Recently have appreciated Delta Comfort+.

We have been fortunate in that the YYZ to SXM flights have always been non-stop. Over the years several charter airlines have come and gone. Prices have ranged from $380 to $850 pp. Our current favourite is Westjet, without a doubt. Best combination of price, flight times, and great customer service.