Contour Airlines Launches St. Thomas–St. Maarten Route
Nonstop flights between the two Caribbean islands operate Mondays and Fridays using 30-seat regional jets.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Air Travel
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Contour Airlines launched nonstop service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten on October 5, linking Cyril E. King Airport with Princess Juliana International Airport. Flights operate in both directions every Monday and Friday.
Why it matters
The route gives travelers a direct, short-hop connection between two Caribbean islands without routing through a larger hub. The scheduled crossing takes 55 minutes to an hour.
Each flight is scheduled at 55 minutes to an hour, operated by 30-seat regional jets on Mondays and Fridays. Fare levels, seat availability, and any expansion beyond these two weekly frequencies were not stated in the source data.
The players
Contour Airlines
Contour Airlines is a regional carrier operating short-haul flights in the Caribbean using small regional jets.
Cyril E. King Airport
Cyril E. King Airport is the main airport serving St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Princess Juliana International Airport
Princess Juliana International Airport is the principal airport on St. Maarten, serving the island's international traffic.
The details
Monday flights leave St. Thomas at 11:35 a.m. and arrive in St. Maarten at 12:30 p.m., with the return departing at 1:15 p.m. Friday flights leave St. Thomas at 12:35 p.m. and arrive at 1:35 p.m., returning from St. Maarten at 2:30 p.m.
Timeline
October 5: Nonstop St. Thomas–St. Maarten route launched.
Mondays: Flights operate in both directions between the islands.
Fridays: Flights operate in both directions between the islands.
Travel Outlook
Short inter-island hops like this one let travelers combine two Caribbean destinations in a single trip without the cost of connecting through a larger hub. Regional carriers have built networks of such routes across the Eastern Caribbean, and this launch extends that pattern to the St. Thomas–St. Maarten corridor.
Travelers planning a combined trip should note that the route runs only on Mondays and Fridays, so itineraries must align with those days. The 55-minute to one-hour crossing allows a three-night weekend or a four-night stay with a Monday departure and Friday return.
The takeaway
Travelers can use the Monday and Friday schedule to build a multi-island itinerary without adding a connecting hub. Checking current timetables before booking will confirm departure times, since they are subject to change.
Further reading
For more on how short regional routes shape trip planning, see Air Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Caribbean Journal.
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