Depending when you want to go, Frontier flies direct from MCO to SXM Saturdays only during the summer months. Although that schedule doesn't make sense to me, we are among the few who like Frontier for the most part. I know there are some on this forum who disagree.
Richie--as others have said, Frontier is currently the only airline that flies nonstop from anywhere in Central Florida, and then only part of the year. While I try to say "never", I seriously doubt I will ever fly Frontier again, after those shenanigans they pulled about the size of carry on bags. But I digress.
There have been rumors for years that Southworst will fly to SXM sometime soon. The rumor is that it would be from Orlando. But, as you can see, they are not my favorite people either. Just give me a d*mn SEAT!! We have lived mid-way between Tampa and Orlando since 2006. It takes us 1.5 hours to drive to either Orlando or Tampa and 3.5 hours to drive to Miami. The only nonstops currently from anywhere in Florida are the above Frontier, part of the year, AA from Miami and Spirit. AA flies every day, often 2 or 3 flights per day, depending on the season. Spirit I think only flies on Saturday. I am having a senior moment and don't remember if they fly from Miami or FLL. If you are close to Orlando or Tampa, you could look at connecting flights from there to Miami. However, when we have looked at those in the past, since we live so far from either of those, we could literally drive to Miami for the non-stop, quicker than we could drive to either Tampa or Orlando and do a connection. And then of course if you have a connection, then you have a connection, with all the folderol associated with that. If you are doing a connecting flight, you can fly from either Tampa or Orlando on Delta to Atlanta, and then on to SXM.
Other than one or two flights on Delta booked with miles, we have just driven the 3.5 hours to Miami. That works out best for us. IF you decide to drive to Miami, we park at Miami Park and Fly. Highly recommended.
Richie--I'm not certain the shuttles are 24/7, they didn't use to be, but perhaps that was during Covid. They are definitely there for any times we have wanted, which is between about 9 am and 9 pm. They are very close to the airport, so it would be a very quick taxi ride, if the shuttle wasn't available. The shuttles are very prompt taking you to the airport and very prompt at picking you up, if you call them. Or they often are just trolling the airport and often have a shuttle there, just down the concourse. They help you with your bags. Upon your return, they bring your car to where the drop off is for the van. Can't recommend them highly enough. Do make a reservation online if you decide to use them, as they are often sold out.
We also drive to MIA from Central Florida (although we fly to STT). Another option that we do - for trips longer than a week it's cheaper and easier to rent a car one-way to and from the airport - about $45 each way. Airfare from MIA (vs MCO) is usually cheaper enough to pay for a night at an airport hotel, too!
Jim--We are too far from car rental places for that to make any sense, but I'm sure it does work out for some.
BTW, I am not holding my breath, but Jet Blue said that they were going to be adding routes to the Caribbean. This could be related--or not--to the denial of their takeover of Spirit. PERHAPS they will add back a nonstop to SXM from Florida. They did have a nonstop from FLL for a while. Would love to see them do a nonstop from Orlando.
