Air Travel
There are now nonstop flights from the United States on American Airlines, flying out of Miami every day except Wednesday. Service by Seaborne Airlines offers service three times a week from San Juan. Most travelers are able to connect in San Juan or in Miami and to Air France, as well, which departs Miami three times a week with a stop in a neighboring island. Norwegian Airlines offers seasonal nonstop service to Fort-de-France out of New York, Boston, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., with some of the lowest fares to the Caribbean.
Contacts
Air Antilles Express. Air Antilles Express flies to Martinique from Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barth, Cayenne, Guayane, St. Lucia, and Santo Domingo. The airline now flies to Dominica, San Juan, and Punta Cana. 0890/64–86–48; 0596/42–18–07; www.airantilles.com.
Air Canada. Air Canada flies every Sunday and Tuesday from Montreal to Fort-de-France. If you live near the Canadian border, this may be your best option. 888/247–2262; www.aircanada.com.
Air Caraïbes. Air Caraïbes flies to Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, Guyane, Haiti, St. Lucia, Havana and the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo) and Paris (Orly). As this is a Guadeloupe-owned airline, phone numbers are for that island, but are easily dialed from Martinique. There is now a website in English. This airline offers substantial discounts for seniors on some routes. 0820/83–58–35; 0590/82–47–47; www.aircaraibes.com.
Air France. Air France has service to and from Miami, with stops in neighboring islands (Haiti and Guadeloupe), three times a week in the winter season. In high season they run an Airbus 320 with 200 seats; other times it can be a much smaller aircraft. 0892/68–29–72; 0596/55–34–72; 800/237–2747; 0596/82–61–61; www.airfrance.com.
American Airlines. American Airlines uses a Boeing 737 aircraft for its six weekly flights from Miami, offering service every day except Wednesday. 800/433–7300; www.aa.com.
LIAT. LIAT connects Martinique with the English-speaking "down islands," like St. Lucia, Barbados, and Antigua. It also flies into San Juan, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and more. LIAT code-shares with Air Caraïbes. Daily flights from St. Lucia (UVF)—which has direct service from New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Toronto—is one way for U.S. and Canadian visitors to get to Martinique with fewer stopovers. 0596/42–16–11; www.liatairline.com.
Norwegian. Norwegian offers seasonal nonstop service to Fort-de-France out of New York–JFK (three times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), Boston (twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday), and Baltimore/Washington, D.C. (twice a week, on Monday and Friday). 800/357--41--59; www.norwegian.com.
Seaborne Airlines. Seaborne Airlines now flies to Martinique from San Juan and returns, three times a week. The airline uses an SAAB 340B aircraft, offering the comfort of 34 economy-class seats, with in-flight service. Flights are timed for connections to and from the United States and Canada. A new code-share program between American Airlines and Seaborne Airlines now allows you to book your American Airlines– and Seaborne Airlines–combined itinerary on the AA website, while earning AAdvantage program miles. In addition, Seaborne has interline agreements with JetBlue and Delta. 866/359–8784; www.seaborneairlines.com.
Airport
Contacts
Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport (FDF). Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport, in the commercial area of Lamentin, is relatively small and easy to maneuver; some staff members speak English. The tourist office has a desk staffed with an English-speaking person(s). There are food outlets, shops, and numerous rent-a-car desks. The airport is 15 minutes from Fort-de-France via taxi; it's 40 minutes from Les Trois-Îlets Peninsula. Le Lamentin, n/a Martinique, 97232. 0596/42–16–00; www.martinique.aeroport.fr.
