TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Saturday Airport Arrivals

Could someone who arrived in SXM last Saturday relate their experience at the temporary arrival terminal. We will be arriving on February 24, around 4:30 their time, and need to have some idea of how long the lines are to complete the arrival process, or if I should request a wheelchair.

If there is any question re the wheelchair, request one if you feel you might need it. The SXM wheelchair porterage is excellent and more than worth the generous gratuity I’m sure you’ll offer. They helped me through the.full arrival process from the plane, across the tarmac, thru immigration and thru luggage procurement and out to the curb where we met our car rental company. And smiled the whole time.

Thanks Pat and well said.

Excellent plan. How do you request wheelchair porterage? We're arriving February 10 on Spirit at around 3:PM. Any info would be greatly appreciated!! Thanking you in advance...

I can't speak to Spirit as I've never flown that airline, but I request it on American's website when I buy the ticket. Or you can go back to that flight later to request it, just as you would a meal (I fly first class due to length of trip). In SXM, wheelchair will be waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They will come up the stairs to help you if needed.

Thank you. We'll do that.....

jazzgal -- Do they serve hot food on American in Business class? We flew two years ago on Delta and was served a cold boxed lunch.

Our last trip this last May we were served hot meals in both First and Business class on AA. During the Covid era most airlines stopped that service along with AA. Meals were actually pretty good too for airline food. You can log into your acct and select which meals you want prior to your flights.

We had friends that came in last Saturday around 3:00, which is the busy time, and they were through the arrival process, went to get their car and were at Oyster Bay, an hour away at that time of day, by just after 5:00.
So I would say things have been better than when the temporary facility was first opened. There are fewer planes around 4:30 so you should not have a problem but just to be sure could go ahead with wheelchair service.

There are hot options. For our Feb 13 flight it's a Swiss cheese omelet (detailed description is enticing and available for a fee) or a fresh food bowl on the 6:00 am DFW to MIA flight. The 10:50 to SXM has short ribs, fruit and cheese platter, veggie and grain plate, or golden roasted chicken.

I had the short ribs on AA before. Pretty tasty and tender.

Yes, and there are generally three or four options from which to choose.

Wow! They’ve come (back?) a long way, Baby!
Last time we flew AA First, their ‘meal’ offering was a dry Turkey and cheese sandwich on a dry croissant.. No mayo or mustard and a tiny side salad .
The poor culinary offerings have nothing to do with us not flying them of late. Higher prices and inconvenient routing made them not so convenient these days.

AA was usually petty good about food offerings until Covid. That is when we had those turkey and cheese sandwiches too. Now back to pre covid service and much better.

The best time we had flying way back to US , was on USAIr first class and having Steaks with wine and due to our good connection at that time airfare was just $ 100.00 per person , sa la vie with good pass experience of flying to America. Now we just use our Amex Platinum for lounge food which is okay lol.

I want to thank everyone who gave me information on obtaining a wheelchair at our airport arrival. I will now make those arrangements.