Southwest Airlines Is Coming to St. Maarten, With New Nonstop Flights From Orlando and Baltimore
You know it. It’s one of those iconic Caribbean moments, when the plane makes its final descent into St. Maarten, skimming low over Maho Beach before touching down on one of the Caribbean’s most iconic runways.
Beginning April 7, 2026, that moment will belong to Southwest Airlines, too.
Southwest has announced it will launch its first new international destination since 2021, adding St. Maarten to its growing map of Caribbean gateways. The new flights mark a milestone for the island — and a major win for travelers who want more ways to reach its white sand beaches, French and Dutch culture, and famously lively dining scene.
Two New Nonstop Routes
The airline will begin with a once-daily nonstop route between Orlando (MCO) and Princess Juliana International Airport. Two days later, service expands to include peak weekend flights from Baltimore/Washington, creating a total of nine weekly roundtrips. Together, the routes unlock one-stop connections to St. Maarten from more than 45 cities across the United States.
For Princess Juliana International Airport, the agreement is a big step. “Securing Southwest Airlines with nine weekly flights is a great achievement for PJIAE and St. Maarten,” said Michael Cleaver, CEO and President of PJIAE. “It not only expands our route network but also creates tremendous opportunities for tourism growth, trade, and cultural exchange.”
The new flights are expected to fuel visitor arrivals and bring fresh energy to St. Maarten’s economy — from hotels and beach clubs to local shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Government leaders underscored the broader significance.
A Big Step for Southwest and St Maarten
“This agreement with Southwest Airlines represents a new chapter for St. Maarten’s tourism industry,” said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, St Maarten’s Minister of Tourism. “By connecting this extensive network to Sint Maarten, we are opening new doors for visitors to experience the warmth, beauty, and vibrancy of St. Maarten.”
For travelers, it means one more option to reach a Caribbean island that blends two nations, dozens of beaches, and an unmatched energy into a single destination. For St. Maarten, it means welcoming a new era of airlift from the largest carrier in the United States.
Southwest’s New Caribbean Push
When the first flight lands in April 2026, the famous beachside runway will have a new livery in the lineup — and Southwest passengers will be stepping out into the Caribbean sun.
It’s the second big Caribbean expansion for Southwest this summer, following the recently-announced addition of St Thomas to its route map a few weeks ago.
It comes as St Maarten continues to see surging visitor arrivals, as Caribbean Journal reported, and keeps getting buzz for its unique blend of culture, food, beaches, shopping and unmatched friendliness.
Karen Udler is the Deputy Travel Editor of Caribbean Journal. A graduate of Duke University, has been traveling across the Americas for three decades. First an expert on Latin American travel, Karen has been traveling with CJ for more than a decade. She likes to focus on wellness, luxury travel and food.
