TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Another Jet Blue question

Hi gang,

I read the most recent thread with all of the scheduling issues with Jet Blue and the EWR routes.

I'm a West Coaster/Mid Westerner, so JB is a totally foreign entity to me. They now fly PHX - EWR- SXM on Saturdays in December for an extremely attractive fare. How comfortable would you be booking this? What should a person be sure to realize about JB if they have never flown them before (I see extra charges for baggage, etc.)

Asking for a friend (seriously! We are already booked on Delta).

TIA,
LeAnn

A lot can happen between now and then. Tough call.

I have flown with them multiple times in the past, and have had good experiences for the most part. Checked luggage is not included in their most basic fares, so it's wise to bump it up to what they call 'Blue' which allows you one checked bag plus one smaller carry-on. They've cut back on many of the routes they previously covered, but that's almost to be expected as all the airlines are still recovering from the pandemic. I would check the status of my flights weekly to ensure there aren't any changes that catch you by surprise, but their Mondays and Saturdays schedules should be pretty solid. On the return flight from SXM to EWR I would pay close attention to the layover time there because they'll have to clear customs and immigration at that point (plus any additional COVID b.s. that may still be going on the December). I would personally suggest a minimum 90 minute layover or longer in Newark if possible. Overall, I'm okay with Jet Blue, but all of the North American airlines need careful monitoring during these unusual times.

Thanks for the responses so far.

Update - it turns out that there is also a PHX-FLL-SXM flight available at an even lower fare (Blue class for right around $300)

That sounds like a better idea to me - an established route with a lesser chance of a weather issue.

I know that several TTOLers fly FLL - SXM frequently, your thoughts?

Thanks so much!
LeAnn

There way things are right now I wouldn't trust a JB EWR connection at all. If there is another option (there is) I would go with it.

Also ...I am a long time JB customer

...and the Blue fare does not include a checked bag. I does include a carry on where Blue Basic does not

Basic also doesn’t include changes either. Lately I only book blue extra. Unless it’s very very close to the trip!

Been flying JB for some time and to date never a problem. Yes, basic sucks, we always fly Blue. Extras not needed as we don't check bags

I like extra as it gets you early boarding which can be good on a full flight and a carry on suitcase! I’m one of “those” that goes into total
Panic if my bag ends up behind me!! 😂😂

PrairieGirl--most people seem to be ignoring your actual question. As others have said, I would personally avoid Newark and Jet Blue, as they seem to be not very reliable there at the moment. But you found another routing through FLL, which is a much better routing in the winter, so definitely have them book that. Regardless, airlines are airlines these days, and you pays your money and you takes your chances!!! Best wishes to your friend...

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

As it turns out, this morning there was an AA flight available right from Yuma (where we both winter) that was a good price so they grabbed it.

We brought this couple with us 2 years ago and they fell in love with SXM (was there any doubt?) and are on the path of becoming annual visitors.

OK, looks like you're set then. Enjoy!

Just to show that it all can change, my wife was booked on JB from SXM to FLL on Sunday, 11/21 and received a change today. Now scheduled through JFK and then back to FLL. We will make alternative arrangements, but at least they told us!

We get early boarding in any case, so not a worry.

Definitely better off through Ft. Lauderdale than Newark. Have been there and done that. And, it's the Blue 'Plus' fare that includes a checked bag, so a correction to my earlier post. They've been messing around with this so watch the 'total' fares carefully. Delta may provide a better price to SXM. The advantage that Jet Blue once had fares-wise and baggage-wise have all but disappeared in recent years, but overall I have had good luck with them when flying to St. Maarten, Cancun, etc.

There is no "Plus" fare....and none of the three fare levels outside of Mint include a checked bag....but using a JetBlue + credit card DOES get the checked bag (x 4 travellers)

Then this contradicts what Jet Blue is showing on their website under "Checked Bags." Just looked at it and it indicated Blue Plus includes one checked bag to the Caribbean, while 'Mint' includes two checked bags. Not that I wish to debate this with you, but just going by what I found on their website (which I suppose could be outdated).

Jet Blue currently offers up to 5 fares on their flights. Not all fares are available with all flights. Included in the first screen capture is the baggage policy for JetBlue associated with each of the fares and with the Mosaic Club membership and the JetBlue credit card. Also, a screen grab of the 5 fares and most of their listed features are included in the second screen capture. Before the graphics are links that will take you to the active JetBlue webpage from which the screen capture is taken.

JetBlue Baggage Policy

JetBlue Fare Schedule

Very interesting....and informative. When I look at any test BOS-SXM flight I do not see the Blue Plus fare and, in fact, I have never seen that fare listed. I stand corrected that it does exist but not on any of the flights I have looked at or booked. Blue Plus is also not on the fare comparison page that I saw (and posted) on their website yesterday which is obviously different from what you saw

I guess if it is available use it...if not, well that's that