TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Airlines United Rates Horrible

So sad to see that United is really not being nice to jack up the rates on an Island that needs the tourism dollars so badly why why why when our Friendly Islands need us with our dollars..... any suggestion we need non stop from EWR to SXM

How about the direct JFK to SXM on American.

People from the NY area are spoiled. You have nonstops on Jet Blue and AA both from the NY area, in addition to United. Suggest you try one of those.

Just to clarify, JB does have daily n/s from JFK but I believe AA still offers then on weekends but not necessarily every day. We’re traveling on weekdays next month and could only get connecting AA flights Monday through Friday so we opted for a connecting flight from our regional airport. Not sure how that’s gonna’ work out for us but we’ll find out soon.......

Sorry, and 90% of the country doesn't have ANY nonstops on ANY day of the week to SXM, on ANY airlines. NY area people are spoiled... We feel relatively lucky to ONLY have to drive now three hours one way to FLL or 3.5 hours one way to Miami for nonstops.

Why is it when every time airline fares are brought up, there is always the comment that NY area people are spoiled. Not spoiled but I would rathe you say, we are lucky! You guys can always move to our area. And that was once upon a time as I was quoted last week $1300. out of EWR non-stop PP. I have to let my Nov. trip slip by, too expensive. I am spoiled I guess.

You're right Scubaman, we use to fly non stop on American from JFK any day of the week. That's been gone awhile now. I guess we'll stick with Jet Blue. Yes, I guess we are fortunate to be less than 30 minutes from the airport.

Well, American did it again. Just changed my Saturday (July) non-stop flight from JFK to a connecting flight in Charlotte. I usually receive notifications, but not this time. Ugh.

Lucky and spoiled is more like it. It is great when it is available but when it is not............

Lucky or spoiled has zip to do with the facts. I f there is a demand and supply from a certain area of the country the prices will reflect that. Those in other non competitive areas should just deal with it rather than disparage those in the decent priced area. Yup BOS has some decent fares to SXM over some areas BUT the winter weather sucks. I would rather be warm all year and complain about fares than shovel snow....REALLY

It all works out in the end....

Well stated, with the exception of the term "disparage". I know most do deal with the high fares, the connections, overnight and/or all day travel when not flying from a major east coast city airport. It is the reaction of those who live in the "decent priced area" when they have only 2 choices of airlines or airports, pay over $500, have to make a connection or arrive later than early afternoon.

I would fully take advantage of it if I were in the position to do so but I am not.

Yes, we always hear how spoiled we are, but we do pay the price tag to live in this area!!
If we moved to other states, that don't have the non-stop flights, we could afford a larger home and more vacations.

Just saying...these are choices we all make.

I agree, Terry. I, too, get somewhat tired of hearing how ‘spoiled’ we are with regard to airline ticket pricing and I would far prefer if we were thought of instead as being so ‘fortunate’ to have the options we have. There is a price we pay in so many other ways and we do all have options, both in where we live and who and how we fly.

Sorry, my friend, the problem is not that you are fortunate. The problem is that if NY people can't get a nonstop on the exact dates that they want on their preferred airline, for under $350, they complain. THAT gets old.

Your generalization is just plain wrong, Carol. I’m done!

It is certainly the impression the rest of us get, at least with regard to most people from that area. I will leave this one also.

It isn't really the airlines job to get tourism dollars into SXM.

The only people that are spoiled are those that can fly any day of the week. Not many can, so they get stuck with airfares that can be huge. We fly Jet blue from Jfk. are we lucky? If you call driving 3 hours to airport another two hours to wait for flight to leave, and the rest is history. we are only able to get fair direct flights and there not cheap, just fair, is we can fly any day of the week. and jet blue had different fares every day of the week... Yes we choose to go direct, as we spent many years with connections, but at our age now??? We have to opt for direct. We are not spoiled, we pay the price like everyone else... and have for many years. Not many people live near or close to Jfk. it takes time and energy to get there. We do not feel spoiled at all. We pay the price on the day of travel. and who would want to live near Jfk???

I agree. there is lots more to getting tourism back. I think its up to the poor Island that endured a tragic cat 5 hurricane. Lots will go elsewhere untill the island is repaired.. Except for folks that will go no matter what. Too bring back visitors is not american, jet blue or united or any other airline. this Island has to bring people back...

You would be amazed at how many visitors we have who are first timers. Meet them frequently. Still mostly repeats, for sure. But I'm a bit surprised that so many newbies took a gamble.

Happy for that. Hope its a high season. I for one always root for the Island. As for airlines. If you can be flexible, you can get a decent rate. But even with that, its not for free no matter if you live next door to Jfk. Everyone pays the price for travel these days. No we are not spoiled Not by a long shot.

That is great to hear! Hopefully the island can impress the newbies enough to make many return visits.