St. Maarten gets JetBlue direct service from Puerto Rico

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – St. Maarten becomes more accessible for travelers looking to vacation on the “Friendly Island” with the launch of JetBlue Airways daily direct service from San Juan, Puerto Rico Luis Munoz Marin Airport (SJU) to Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten beginning Nov. 17, 2011.

“We are very excited about the launch of new daily flights from San Juan as it augments our existing non-stop JetBlue service from New York and Boston and allows travelers from other JetBlue gateways throughout the U.S. to connect to ‘the friendly island’ more conveniently,” said Honorable Franklin Meyers, Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Transportation and Telecommunications.

“Puerto Rico has become a very strategic and important market for us; this new route to St. Maarten is a natural add,” said David Clarke, director of route planning. “We’re pleased with how the community has responded with a great welcoming and a lot of support.”

The direct service from San Juan will occur once daily at 2:00 pm arriving into St. Maarten at 2:56 pm. The new route will provide convenient connections for travelers coming from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), Hartford Bradley International Airport (BDL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The first inaugural service to St. Maarten will be operated by JetBlue’s Embraer E190 aircraft which offers two-by-two, leather seating. Customers will also enjoy a first-checked bag free, award-winning customer service and unlimited, complimentary snacks and drinks.