Which Airlines Fly to St Maarten Airport?

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For aviation enthusiasts, there are few destinations as iconic as St Maarten Airport. s Princess Juliana International (SXM) is famous the world over for its stunning approach over Maho Beach, this Caribbean island is a true bucket list location for plane spotters and aviation photographers alike.

Aircraft come in low—sometimes just 30 feet above the heads of beachgoers—as they touch down on Runway 10, creating one of the most dramatic and photogenic arrivals in the world. The proximity of the beach to the threshold means you don’t even need a telephoto lens to feel immersed in the action.

 

Best Places to Spot at St Maarten

• Maho Beach – The iconic location directly beneath the flight path. Expect a lively crowd, beach bars (like Sunset Bar & Grill), and those unforgettable overhead shots.
• Simpson Bay Beach – Great for departures from Runway 10 and landings on Runway 28.
• The Observation Deck at Sunset Bar – A must-visit, with arrival boards showing estimated landing times and speakers tuned to ATC.

 

Key Airlines and Aircraft Types at St Maarten

St Maarten sees a wide variety of aircraft, from regional turboprops to wide-body jets. Here’s a look at some of the main airlines and aircraft you can spot:

• American Airlines – A320 family, B737-800, and occasional B757 (seasonal or charters).
• Delta Air Lines – B737-900, 757 and A321neo aircraft, mainly from Atlanta and JFK.
• JetBlue – A320, A321, and A321neo flights from New York, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale.
• United Airlines – B737-800s and MAX 8 aircraft, particularly from Newark and Houston.
• Air Canada – A321 and Rouge A319s during the winter high season.
• WestJet – B737-800s and MAX 8 from Toronto.
• Winair – The island’s local carrier flying DHC-6 Twin Otters and ATR 42s to nearby islands like Saba, St. Barths, and Anguilla.
• Caribbean Airlines – B737-800s connecting from Trinidad and other islands.
• KLM – Formerly famous for operating the B747 here, now flying Airbus A330-200s from Amsterdam.
• Air France – Regular A330-200 flights from Paris Orly (sometimes via Pointe-à-Pitre or Fort-de-France).
• Copa Airlines – B737-800 aircraft from Panama City.
• TUI fly Netherlands – Boeing 787-8 or -9 Dreamliners on seasonal services from Amsterdam.

 

Why Spotters Love It Here

• Close proximity to aircraft – You’ll never get this close to a landing airliner anywhere else.
• Diverse traffic – From Twin Otters to wide-bodies, there’s always something to catch your eye.
• Caribbean sunshine – Spot in shorts and flip-flops with a cold drink nearby.
• Island hopping opportunities – Short flights to other islands offer more spotting and unique operations.

 

Whether you’re capturing that perfect shot, logging tail numbers, or simply soaking up the aviation atmosphere with sand between your toes, St Maarten is the ultimate spotter’s paradise.

Have you been to St Maarten? Share your photos or stories with us.

 

Title image: Arno Vesterholm

 

✈️ Planning Your Next Spotting Trip?

St Maarten—and hundreds more airports—are covered in full detail in World Airport Spotting Guides (3rd Edition), including the best locations, spotting hotels, and what aircraft to expect.

Order your copy now at www.destinworld.com and take your aviation hobby to new heights!