Southwest Airlines adds St. Maarten as new Caribbean destination with spring 2026 launch

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Southwest Airlines adds St. Maarten as new Caribbean destination with spring 2026 launch

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By Sky Industry News

Aug 31, 2025

Southwest Airlines has announced plans to expand its Caribbean service with new nonstop flights to St. Maarten beginning in April 2026. The airline will offer daily flights from Orlando International Airport to Princess Juliana International Airport, starting April 7, 2026. Two days later, weekend service from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will also begin during peak travel weeks.

This marks Southwest's first international route addition since it began flying to Cozumel earlier this decade. The announcement follows last month's news that the carrier would add St. Thomas as a destination and earlier this summer's introduction of flights to McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville, Tennessee.

"St. Maarten is Southwest's first international destination since 2021 — and SXM will be just its third new airport during that period. Earlier this summer, the Dallas-based carrier announced new flights to St. Thomas' Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and Tennessee's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) outside of Knoxville."

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St. Maarten is divided into two sections: one influenced by Dutch culture and the other by French culture. While there are fewer points hotels on the island compared to other Caribbean destinations, travelers can book stays at properties like the JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa using Marriott Bonvoy points; this hotel opened in early 2024.

The airport at St. Maarten is well known among aviation enthusiasts because planes fly low over a beach during landing, providing unique photo opportunities for spotters.

Currently, six U.S.-based airlines—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines—offer nonstop flights between the U.S. mainland and Princess Juliana International Airport.

Travelers can book Southwest flights with Rapid Rewards points earned through flying or spending on cobranded credit cards; some cards currently offer sign-up bonuses for new applicants who meet spending requirements. Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards can also be transferred to Southwest at a one-to-one ratio.

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