JDiver

Departing, you’ll be kept waiting in a sun-baked lot until your flight is ready to check in. You’ll then be issued a pass, and on your way into the temporary building that passes as a terminal to have your bags weighed.

Inside are several counters that are very poorly signed, where you can check in. If your airline hasn’t included the departure tax in your ticket price, you’ll have another queue to pay the tax and get a stamp.

Security is next, and it’s pretty basic as well as very standard. No liquids other than allowed in a standard baggie, shoes and belts off, etc. Once you’re through you’ll arrive at the departures hall, a cooled plastic fabric hangar-like tent that is unbelievably crowded with insufficient and often broken seating. There are toilets with three water closets for men and three for women.

There are a few kiosks selling basic snacks and soft drinks. No lounge. A zoo is much more organized. A shrill woman was calling our flight while a man at the gate told everyone nobody was boarding yet.

Be early due to the queues, be prepared with sunscreen and hats as necessary and be ready for a general hassle all around.

AA_ORDlady

Wow--I had no idea SXM was still in such poor condition.
I was on St. Martin for a port stop in March of this year and was sad to see the considerable damage and overall lack of progress.
I will not plan any travel to Anguilla until the airport is in better state of repair.
Very sad. SXM is a pretty major hub for the Caribbean.

JDiver

Aaaand... good news!

Though actual completion of the terminal rehab at SXM / Princess Juliana International Airport won’t be finished until probably late next year

the terminal is now functioning for arrivals and departures, and the temporary structures are being removed. ^

and

Just in time for the high cruise season. However, this probably means not everything is working yet at SXM, so be patient.

ordaxa

We flew out of SXM on Dec 15 and I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth it was. Tents are being taken down and everything is back in the old building, though only parts of it are open. At least it's cool!

The check in desks for intl airlines are close together in a small area; United had a priority line that had no wait and the rest of the lines were fairly long but organized and seemed to be moving ok.

Security/immigration were quick when we went through - the line was maybe 30 people, moving at a good pace. No issues at all there.

There are 2 waiting areas, one just past security where the "shops" are (shops are really basic sort of kiosks selling drinks and one had sandwiches etc; no french chocolates for sure!) and the other area is down the stairs (same as it was pre-Irma for the gates without jetbridges). Quite crowded on Saturday but honestly not notably different than pre-Irma, it was always packed down there. All the flights board from those lower gates at the moment.

Shadowfactor