8herveg From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 1107 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 4 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 4503 times:
Could someone please tell me the best option of getting to St Barts from London?
Which airlines are generally the cheapest?
Which offer the best service? etc etc...
Which takes the quickest amount of time generally?
IFE and food on each airline?
Air France via Paris CDG?
KLM via Amsterdam?
US via Charlotte/Philadelphia?
American via New York/Miami?
Continental via Newark?
United via Chicago?
Delta via Atlanta?
These will all obviously have to stop at SXM first. Then I would take either Winnair or Air Caraibes. Who are the best out of these two?
EGBJ From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 498 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (6 years 4 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 4442 times:
Quoting 8herveg (Reply 2): I'm suprised you didn't choose Air France out of the European carriers
I don't think there's much to separate AF vs KL in terms of service. Technically I suppose they're the same airline. I chose schipol based on its ease of use for connecting passengers, with everything being under one roof.
NateDAL From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 416 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (6 years 4 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 4434 times:
Quoting 8herveg (Thread starter): Then I would take either Winnair or Air Caraibes. Who are the best out of these two?
I have only flown Winair, but it really does not matter. The flight is less than 10 minutes long. I enjoyed Winair. Some of their planes have oversized windows, which is nice.
As for who to fly to SXM, I would definitely not go via the United States. It is out of the way and you would have to deal with US customs. It is either AF or KLM. AMS is a better airport, but I believe that AF has PTVs, while KL does not.
St. Barth is a fantastic place. You will enjoy every moment of it.
DernierVirage From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2006, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 4 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 4418 times:
I agree with the previous comments that you are best to go via AMS or CDG. I have never gone with KLM, but I would say one advantage with AF is that they have more frequent services - generally speaking a daily flight in winter peak season, and 5 or 6 per week the rest of the year. The AF flight is an Airbus 343, set up in J and Y classes.
As for the transfer to Saint Barthelemy, I usually use in fact Saint Barth Commuter (code PV), a small company based at SBH, offering scheduled services in small planes (only 7 passengers maximum). The advantage is that they are more flexible and reliable in my experience than WM or TX, who both can have problems from time to time (especially if there is a shortage of aircraft !). I am not sure of you can reserve with Saint Barth Commuter in the UK, but if you want I can give you the details of the travel agent I use on the island, they will issue you an E ticket for an E mail reservation. (That said, there is no reason to avoid WM or TX, it is just my own preference).
I live part of the year at Saint Barthelemy, so let me know if you need any other travel infprmation.
8herveg From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 1107 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 4 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 4401 times:
Quoting NateDAL (Reply 4): As for who to fly to SXM, I would definitely not go via the United States. It is out of the way and you would have to deal with US customs.
Good point...didn't think of that!
I think I'm going to take AF. Never travelled on an A343 before, whereas I have been on a 747! And AF have PTVs which is always a bonus on a long-haul flight.
Plus, I am visiting a french island...I should really start my french experience in the air!! Lol.
Also, I havn't used Heathrow's Terminal 2 yet, and although it is probably the worst out of all the terminals at LHR, it is closing in a couple of years time, so now is my last chance to experience it!!
DernierVirage From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2006, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 4 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 4400 times:
Quoting 8herveg (Reply 7): Never travelled on an A343 before, whereas I have been on a 747!
There is another advantage of AF compared with KLM, who use 747s on this route. The problem is that on the return flight, 747s have to stop off en route (they cannot take off from SXM with enough fuel for the whole journey) but the 343 can return directly to CDG. This is a big time saving.
As regards T2 at LHR, I sometimes go there with AF, and it is not too bad, especially as you can check in with AF automatically (either at the machines at the airport or by internet at home). Be sure to leave plenty of time for the connection at CDG - the AF fllight to SXM leaves at 10h50 (all year).
DernierVirage From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2006, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 4 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 4395 times:
Quoting DernierVirage (Reply 8): Be sure to leave plenty of time for the connection at CDG - the AF flight to SXM leaves at 10h50 (all year).
I just checked, and in fact there is only one choice with AF in order to arrive at CDG before the departure to SXM. It is the AF 2471, depart LHR 06h40 arrival CDG 09h00. Assuming nothing horrible happens, this leaves lots of time for the transfer, especially as you can check your bag direct from LHR. Also, if you are with AF arriving on a short haul flight and transferring to a long haul with them, AF will meet you when you disembark, to rush you to the SXM flight if there is any delay, so I would say that you should be OK.
FoxXray From France, joined May 2005, 354 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (6 years 4 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 4391 times:
Quoting 8herveg (Thread starter): Which airlines are generally the cheapest?
Which offer the best service? etc etc...
Which takes the quickest amount of time generally?
IFE and food on each airline?
- The cheapest is probably Corsair from ORY...
- For the service i would go for AF or KLM...
- The quickest is with AF (KL make one stop during the return flight), and AF has a daily flight to SXM while KL don't so you have a better choice of flights with AF !
- IFE is better with AF (PTV...)
8herveg From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 1107 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (6 years 4 months 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 4339 times:
Quoting DernierVirage (Reply 8): 747s have to stop off en route (they cannot take off from SXM with enough fuel for the whole journey) but the 343 can return directly to CDG.
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