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KIN → SXM
Which side of the plane to sit from Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston) to Princess Juliana International Airport (Philipsburg)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the Greater Antilles, featuring the rugged mountains of Jamaica, the dramatic southern coastline of Hispaniola, and the dense island clusters of the Virgin Islands.
Search flights from KIN to SXM
Blue Mountains
Dramatic views of Jamaica's highest peaks immediately after departure from Kingston.
Tiburon Peninsula
The scenic southern arm of Haiti featuring rugged terrain and secluded tropical bays.
Barahona Coast
Where the mountains of the Dominican Republic meet the Caribbean Sea in a stunning display of turquoise water.
Puerto Rico North Coast
Vistas of the lush El Yunque rainforest and the northern coastline of the 'Island of Enchantment'.
British Virgin Islands
A mosaic of emerald islands including Tortola and Virgin Gorda visible during the descent into SXM.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun on the opposite side of the aircraft, reducing glare for photography. This side is superior for tracking the chain of islands that make up the Greater Antilles. Watch for the transition from the deep blue Caribbean to the shallow, bright turquoise waters of the Virgin Islands shelf.
Get eSIMs for Jamaica
Get eSIMs for Netherlands Antilles
Kingston Harbour
A perfect aerial view of the world's seventh-largest natural harbor and the historic Port Royal during takeoff.
Caribbean Sea
Expansive views of the open ocean with occasional sightings of cargo ships navigating the trade routes.
Saint Croix
On clear days, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands appears as a solitary green jewel to the south.
Mount Scenery
The striking volcanic silhouette of Saba rising steeply from the ocean as you approach Saint Martin.
Maho Beach
The final approach over the turquoise waters of Simpson Bay and the world-famous plane-spotting beach.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the Caribbean Sea. While there is more open water, the approach into SXM from this side offers the best view of the iconic volcanic islands like Saba and St. Eustatius to the south. Keep an eye out for the white-capped waves of the Anegada Passage.
Book Hotels in PhilipsburgDistance: 1,446 km (899 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 56 min
Departure: KIN (17.935699462890625, -76.7874984741211)
Arrival: SXM (18.0410003662, -63.1088981628)
Route Type: International
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