TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Travel ban to SXM from Europe and USA

Re: residents returning.....ban is on all commercial flights from the USA . It's not a ban on just USA residents....it's the airline that can't land

The airport and the plane are the biggest worries..

For what it's worth, I've heard that the two hospitals on St. Maarten / St. Martin have a total of 4 ventilators.

I know. But my chances of getting sick here are way less, IMHO.

There is also a very good infectious disease specialist at SMMC.

Hard to say, but if I were you and I lived there and new where the hospital was and had been there a few times and had a doctor who knew my face and maybe name and new how insurance, payment, billing worked I would let mother nature’s sun, fresh air and beutiful views take care of me on island.

But I dont know where the hospital is? Is it up the hill on some street in Marigot? Dutch side have no idea? Doctor, never used one on island. I do know a few pharmacies. For me, i better get back.

The ban does not apply to residents, however are the airlines willing to fly a plane with a few residents on board, and then take Americans etc home, or will they just cancel because of the cost of flying almost empty?

That is the big question at this point.

boucharda--Look at the updated info that JD posted this morning. It looks like they will allow planes to land to bring back residents, but as Uksimonusa said, the bigger question is whether they will fly almost empty planes down to bring people home..

American just announced they will be ending all long haul international flights 16 March

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN212044

Parking the bIrds, saving the gas, probably furloughing the pilots

Delta pilots union agreeing to half pay for certain pilots

Not sure what the definition is of "long haul international flights", but AA will probably wind up in bankruptcy...

Wow....that's a biggie

Long haul is anywhere from 6-12 hour flight...depending on the airline

Anyone who anticipates that their airline will go bankrupt may want to keep that in mind when offered store credit to re-book their ticket for a later date...

Perfect time for a charter airline to run passenger rescue missions from Europe...actually from anywhere. Arrives empty and leaves full so no landing restrictions. I guess the big boys could do the same but it's easier just to shut down ops I guess

When we were on a medical relief mission to Iran way back when they sent a 767 charter to take us back...35 passengers in a 767....but that was on Uncle Sam. These flights would be full

I finally was able to book the Delta Wednesday flight online using an AMEX card. Now whether they have an actual plane here or not, we will see.

If it's your only option, it really doesn't matter at this point, does it? I seriously doubt our government will allow our entire airline system to go bankrupt as the result of the actions the government had to take to protect its citizens.

Im thinking, as a high risk person also that I want to be close to the best care available. That is NOT the island. Not to mention they are ill enough prepared to look after thier own never mind you or me.

Agree. This is a “natural/govt mandate” catastrophe. We have to protect this and other indiustries to float them until “normal” returns.

Definitely dumb to burn gas with empty planes spreading germs.

I expect more shoes to drop domestically.

AND THEN WEHAVE TO BOUNCE BACK!

"the best care available". I get that here. I've been in the hospital, doctors on both sides of the island, have a wonderful family doctor. And our home is here. Go to the states and live isolated in a hotel room? Not for me.

My wife was at the DAY airport and had us on speaker phone. Wed. was sold out so as of now, they do appear to be bringing that flight in. I had the option to go to Thursday (1st class & $$) but the supervisor suggested just staying with my Friday flight at this point. Who knows how it will turn out but Delta is still booking people out next week.

I might be looking thru my "rose colored glasses" but i can't see Delta letting us get stranded here. Can you imagine the bad pr they would get. They only have 2 flights a day here. If they can't send those flights down here with few passengers on them to retrieve us, they are in big trouble. Besides, i think we would have heard something from them by now. Our return flight is Tuesday and there are over 30 empty seats available. Now, if they start combining flights to return i can understand that, but to just leave us stranded, i can't see it. Just my personal opinion. I wonder what the "rules of carriage" (or whatever they are called) say about situations like this

My wife just came from the airport in DAY and nothing was being shown as available until Thursday/Friday. I ran into the same thing while checking seats for friends going out today, lots shown when I logged into their account but according to the Delta reps in DAY, the information must not be up to date. I hope you are right. Rules of Carriage may go out the window due to the local orders.

With that island view and breeze you should be fine. Limit exposure and wash your hands.😊

JD, this is interesting. If i check for new seats on my flight (Tuesday) it says "sorry, no seats available for this flight" blah blah blah. But if i go into my reservation to change our seats there are about 30 seats available for me to change to. Almost looks like they are controlling the booking of new tickets (for whatever reason)

Bob, Yes something is going on or perhaps the system in individual accounts are not updated? Pretty much what I found earlier. Confusing at best. I do hope your earlier thought is correct.,

The airlines are in bug trouble already.

Your government will send a plane and charge you for it. They did that after hurrican and did it for those in Wuhan China.

Make sure the embassy/consulate knows your contact info if you think the airline might abandon you.

Personally, if you want out I would pay the piper and standby for any flight out.

You dont know if they wont shut the big hubs down for a period of time.

Time to get into John Candy/Steve Martin mode and Planes Trains Automobiles home.

If my employer didnt care Id book a room in 2 week cancellable increments and make a big Carib beer run.

JD and everyone who is trying to get out, best wishes. These are trying times..

Just stay away from others!! All the experts seem to feel that is the only way to keep this from spreading and
not overwhelming the medical facilities.

You can go outside and go for swim. I heard this morning that swimming should be a safe
place . Your state of mind is very important, and you seem very comfortable there in SXM.

We are staying in our home away from everyone as much as possible.
(My husband has to have a procedure done soon, and I am not happy about being in a surgical center, but everyone has something they have to deal with).

Good luck to everyone.

Yup...good luck

Has anyone seen this verified anywhere else? I cannot find mention of it anywhere..news...AA website...I would think it would be a biggie. I know Reuters is decent but....

Even the FlyerTalk website which is pretty active says nothing...it does say an AA pilot has tested positive but no mention of the long haul flight stoppage

Edit: disregard the above...Starting to show up on other news sites

Edit #2: Delta is parking 300 jets and also cancelling all European flights for at least a month

Too bad so sad. And hearing that the airlines will look to the government for a bailout really pi**es me off!

They have made billions in keeping change fees, luggage fees, etc. I do not feel sorry for them.

I checked with a WestJet site and there is no cancellations... So what are they going to do - send an empty plane to get us?

Easy to stay away from folks here. If I were to travel, it's impossible. We've been swimming, breakfast at Yacht Club, trek to Philipsburg to visit a friend. No crowds where we have been, but we normally stay far away from crowds, not our vibe.

Mostly we're home, but that's not new.

Best to Richard, hope all goes well.