Guide · Updated 2026-07-29
Getting to St Barts from the US: the Step-by-Step (via SXM)
St Barts’ airport takes only small aircraft, so every US route runs through Sint Maarten. Once you know the pattern, it’s simple.
Step one — fly to Sint Maarten (SXM)
Princess Juliana International (SXM) is the gateway. American Airlines flies non-stop from Miami year-round in about three hours; seasonal non-stops run from New York (JFK) on American and Delta, with JetBlue also serving the route; and connecting service reaches SXM from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and most large US hubs. Schedules are seasonal, so confirm when you book.
Step two — cross to St Barts (SBH)
From SXM you finish the trip two ways: a ten-minute flight to St Barts on a small local carrier, or a private ferry of roughly thirty to forty-five minutes. The flight is faster and famously scenic; the ferry is the easier option with heavy luggage or a larger group. St Barts’ own runway is short and takes only light aircraft, which is why no long-haul flight lands there.
Doing it the easy way
The connection is the one part first-timers worry about. A concierge can book the SXM–SBH leg, meet you between flights and handle the transfer to your villa — so the handover disappears and the island welcome starts the moment you land.
Questions
Are there direct flights from the US to St Barts?
No. St Barts’ airport (SBH) takes only small aircraft. You fly to Sint Maarten (SXM), then connect by a ten-minute flight or a private ferry.
How long does it take to get from SXM to St Barts?
About ten minutes by the inter-island flight, or thirty to forty-five minutes by ferry, plus connection time at SXM.
Which US cities fly non-stop to Sint Maarten?
Miami flies non-stop year-round; New York (JFK) is seasonal. Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and other hubs connect, often through Miami or the East Coast. Verify current seasonal schedules when booking.