Cape Air: The Workhorse of USVI Inter-Island Travel
If you're flying between St. Croix and St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan, or anywhere across the USVI and Puerto Rico, chances are you'll fly Cape Air. The Boston-based regional carrier operates the Cessna 402 — a nine-passenger twin-engine turboprop — and runs some of the most frequent inter-island service in the region.
Routes from STX
Cape Air connects St. Croix to several key destinations with multiple daily departures:
- STX → STT (St. Thomas): The most popular route — a 20-minute hop that runs multiple times daily. Essential for connecting to mainland flights at STT.
- STX → SJU (San Juan): About 40 minutes. San Juan is the Caribbean's biggest hub and opens up connections across the US and internationally.
- STX → BQN (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico): Seasonal service to western Puerto Rico.
What to Expect on a Cape Air Flight
Flying Cape Air is a genuinely different experience from mainline travel. The Cessna 402 holds nine passengers and has no overhead bins — your carry-on goes in the nose or tail cargo compartment. There's no flight attendant, no beverage service, and no in-flight entertainment. What you get instead is an intimate, low-altitude flight with spectacular Caribbean views.
Sitting in the co-pilot seat is a real possibility on less full flights — just ask. The views from up front over the USVI are unforgettable.
Baggage Rules — Read This Before You Pack
Cape Air has strict weight limits that catch many travelers off guard. Each passenger is allowed 25 lbs of checked baggage and one personal item. Overweight bags incur fees, and on very full flights the crew may ask passengers to leave bags behind (they'll ship them on the next flight). If you're relocating or traveling with a lot of gear, consider shipping boxes ahead via USPS or FedEx.
Booking Tips
Book directly at capeair.com for the best fares. Inter-island routes fill up quickly around holidays and during peak winter months. Cape Air partners with several major airlines including American and JetBlue for interline ticketing — meaning your Cape Air segment can be booked as part of a through-ticket from the mainland.
Getting to STX from the Cape Air Terminal
Cape Air uses the main terminal at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure — arrive at least 45 minutes early to account for the weigh-in process. After landing at STX, taxis are available directly outside the terminal.