Welcome to the Largest USVI Island
Moving to St. Croix is one of the more adventurous life decisions you can make — and once you've done it, you'll spend a lot of time navigating the logistics of island life, starting with air travel. Here's what new residents need to know.
Your Go-To Routes as a Resident
Most STX residents default to one of two mainland routing strategies:
- STX → SJU → [mainland city]: Best for flexibility. San Juan has flights to virtually every US hub and more departure times throughout the day.
- STX → STT → [mainland nonstop]: Useful when you need a specific STT nonstop to Atlanta, Miami, or New York. The inter-island hop adds time but can shorten the overall journey.
Build an Airline Status Strategy
As a frequent island-mainland traveler, airline status matters more than it does for occasional travelers. American's AAdvantage program is worth pursuing given AA's STX/STT presence. Delta status opens up the ATL connection. Many STX residents maintain status on two airlines to hedge against schedule changes and cancellations.
Shipping vs. Checking
Resident life means regular mainland trips for things you can't easily get on-island. Rather than paying checked bag fees repeatedly, many residents use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes — you can pack a remarkable amount into a large flat rate box for a fixed cost, and USPS delivers to St. Croix reliably.
The Cape Air Reality
If you're connecting through STT, you'll become very familiar with Cape Air. Learn the weight limits early (25 lbs per bag), establish a relationship with the staff, and always book refundable or changeable fares on inter-island legs — weather and mechanical issues are part of island flying life.
Hurricane Season Travel Planning
July through November is hurricane season. Book refundable fares for travel during these months, and always have a backup plan if a storm approaches. Most airlines offer waiver policies during named storms, but you need to be proactive about rebooking.