USVI-On-Line

How early must one be at the airport in STT before leaving?? I think i saw somewhere that you should be at the airport 3 hours early now. It use to be 2 hours...But i can't see spending 3 of my last hours of vacation sitting in an airport, when it might only take 20-30 minutes.Any advice?

....to check in, clear security and customs. The counter check-ins can be very slow. It doesn't seem possible, but it really may take over two hours to get to your gate.

Two hours has worked for us. I really don't think that you need 3 hours.

You need to be at the counter (not airport) a minimum of 1 1/2 hours before your flight (so I have been informed in the past )

When I fly back to the States from STJ I do plan on being there approx 2 hours before my flight unless I have a morning flight that will allow me to avoid the "rush" of afternoon departures which is when Customs and Immigrations can really get backed up.

I have not heard anything (down here) of needing to be there 3 hours before a flight. The only flights that I know of where you need to be there 3 hours before are flights departing from England to the USA - not really relevant

I'm sure 2 hours will be good - put it this way when I fly back to the States next week for a 3 week business trip, 2 hours is all they are getting

It seems amazing but 2 hours can be cutting it close - especially if you are leaving on a Saturday afternoon with everyone else. The do say 3 hours early when leaving. If something goes wrong and you have left yourself only an hour and a half - think of what would be worse: spending an extra 60 minutes in the airport having a beer, or getting bumped off your flight. I know several stories of people showing up thinking they had enough time and they were not even allowed to check in. It can happen.

This past summer we left on a Saturday afternoon as well and the lines were incredibly long. I think it took close to three hours to wind through them all. However, when I posted this upon my return, another forumite said they left the next day (a Sunday) and flew right through in less than an hour. SO, I think it depends on the day. Next year we plan to stay an extra night to avoid the same confusion we had this year!

I agree if you are leaving on a Saturday you will need more time--especially if you are going in high season. The lines are super long.

I didn't mention that we are indeed leaving on a Sat. but it is at 8 am. Since it is an early flight, i'm hoping 2 hours will do...I guess i'll find out. 170 days and counting till "wheels up"

Hey Ken

For a 8am flight (IMHO) you will have no problem being there at 6:30am - you must be going through SJU - so the planes are the smaller type so not too many people.
When I leave between 9:30am and 11am I usually show up at the American Airlines counter approx 1 1/2 hours before and I am usually one of only 2 or 3 people checking in.
I don't even think the airport is open at 5am
Do what you are comfortable with but 1 1/2 hours at that time of day should be fine
Pia

Thanks Again!!