Last updated November 5, 2026 · By Seth Semilof
St. Barths is one of the most requested winter charter destinations in the Caribbean, and it is also one of the most constrained. Rémy de Haenen Airport (SBH / TFFJ), formerly Gustaf III, has a 646-meter runway and a 5.7-ton weight limit, so business jets do not land there. The usual plan is a jet into Sint Maarten (SXM) or San Juan (SJU), then a short turboprop hop to the island. This guide covers the 2026–27 winter slot window, airport rules, distances from major US cities and how Haute Jets puts the trip together.
Haute Jets is a private jet charter broker, not an operator. We arrange flights with Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated FAA Part 135 operators, with access to 3,500+ vetted aircraft. No jet cards and no membership fees. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes.
2026–27 winter dates and SBH slots
| Date | What happens | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| October 25, 2026 – March 27, 2027 | COHOR / DGAC winter facilitation window for SBH | IATA Level 2 schedule facilitation for commercial and business-aviation rotations |
| Daytime (07:30 local to 15 minutes before sunset) | Up to 10 aircraft parking stands (plus 2 helicopter stands) | From the June 24, 2026 DGAC facilitation letter to COHOR |
| Night / early morning (14 minutes before sunset to 07:29 local) | Up to 12 aircraft parking stands (plus 2 helicopter stands) | Overnight parking is limited; confirm with the handler |
| November 15 – April 30 | French AIP notes intense afternoon traffic | Training circuits are to be avoided from 1500 local to sunset plus 15 minutes in that window |
| December 24, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Christmas and New Year’s peak | The busiest stretch for US travelers; book the jet and the SBH hop early |
| January 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | A popular US long weekend |
| February 15, 2027 | Presidents’ Day | A popular US long weekend |
Sources: COHOR Saint Barthélemy airport page; DGAC Direction du transport aérien letter to COHOR dated June 24, 2026; French AIP AD 2 TFFJ. US holiday dates are federal holidays.
COHOR lists SBH as an IATA Level 2 airport. Operators with access use e-Airportslots; others work through their handling agent. Until October 1, 2026, the facilitator keeps two aircraft stands available, then one stand up to five days before the operation. We build slot timing into the quote before you commit.
Why jets cannot land at SBH
| Item | SBH / TFFJ fact | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Runway 10/28 | 646 m × 18 m (about 2,120 ft × 59 ft) | Far shorter than any business-jet runway requirement |
| Pavement / weight | Maximum authorized takeoff weight 5.7 tons; max tyre pressure 0.9 MPa | Business jets are not eligible |
| Takeoff runway 28 | Takeoff prohibited on runway 28 | Departures use runway 10 only |
| Traffic type | VFR | Visual operations only |
| Fuel | NIL | No fuel available at SBH; plan fuel at SXM or another field |
| Hours | 1100 UTC to sunset + 15 minutes (AFIS / administration) | Daylight-centered ops; closes about 15 minutes after sunset |
| Reference aircraft on stands | DHC-6 Twin Otter and Pilatus PC-12 stands published in the AIP | Turboprops and light twins, not jets |
Source: French SIA AIP, AD 2 TFFJ, effective October 1, 2026 cycle.
Saint Barth Tourism describes the same short runway as 650 m × 18 m and confirms opening from about 7:00 a.m. and closing 15 minutes after sunset. The Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy operates the airport. Non-based aircraft need prior permission (PPR) 48 hours ahead by email to the aerodrome operator, per the AIP.
The usual routing: jet to SXM, hop to SBH
Most private trips from the United States land the jet at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM / TNCM) on Sint Maarten, clear arrival formalities there, then fly about 17 nm to SBH in a turboprop. San Juan (SJU) is another common gateway, about 183 nm from SBH. Saint Barth Tourism lists regional carriers including St Barth Commuter, Winair and Tradewind Aviation among the operators that serve the island.
Haute Jets arranges the jet leg with a Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated Part 135 operator and coordinates the island hop and SBH parking with the operator and handler. Your quote shows both pieces of the trip.
How far is St. Barths by private jet?
| From | Great-circle distance to SXM | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Opa Locka (OPF) | 1,065 nm | A common South Florida departure |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 1,075 nm | Similar to Miami |
| San Juan (SJU) | 167 nm to SXM / 183 nm to SBH | An alternate Caribbean gateway; some hops go SJU–SBH direct |
| Teterboro (TEB) | 1,481 nm | A typical New York–area departure |
| Boston Logan (BOS) | 1,515 nm | Similar to Teterboro |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 1,916 nm | Midsize and up, or a fuel stop depending on the aircraft |
| Dallas Love (DAL) | 2,022 nm | Operator confirms nonstop for the aircraft |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 3,094 nm | A long trip; heavy or long-range jets, or a fuel stop |
| Van Nuys (VNY) | 3,099 nm | Similar to Los Angeles |
| SXM – SBH hop | About 17 nm | Turboprop or helicopter; daylight and parking rules apply |
Distances calculated from OurAirports coordinates. Published aircraft range is not trip range: the operator confirms every leg against passengers, bags, winds, runway and reserves.
From Florida and the Northeast, a midsize or super-midsize jet commonly covers the SXM leg. From the West Coast, distance pushes you toward a larger cabin or a fuel stop. We show which aircraft on your quote can fly the jet leg nonstop, then attach the SBH hop.
Entry notes
- St. Barths is a French overseas collectivity. Saint Barth Tourism says every traveler needs a valid passport. US and Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less, with a passport valid more than six months at entry and a return or onward ticket.
- Sint Maarten transit. If you clear or transit via SXM, Saint Barth Tourism notes that Sint Maarten requires its own online entry form before arrival, including for simple transit.
- Visa wording. When a French visa is required, Tourism says it must mention the Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Barthélemy et Saint-Martin. Saint-Barthélemy is not part of the Schengen area.
- Confirm before you fly. Rules change. The operator and handler confirm the latest passenger-list and customs steps for your routing.
Planning tips
- Book early for December–January. Jet availability, SBH parking recommendations and daylight limits all tighten together.
- Plan daylight arrivals. SBH closes about 15 minutes after sunset; a late jet into SXM can miss the last hop.
- Fuel at SXM, not SBH. There is no fuel at TFFJ.
- Send passport details early. Both the jet operator and the island hop need accurate passenger lists.
- Name your villa or hotel area. It helps the handler plan ground transport from SBH.
- Related reading: see our existing St. Barts New Year’s private jet guide for holiday-week framing.
Get a St. Barths quote
Tell us your city, dates, passengers and bags. We will line up the jet into SXM or SJU and the SBH hop with Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated operators. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. Request a quote or call (800) 257-5661.
Ready to lock holiday slots? Request a St. Barths winter quote and we will show the full itinerary.
FAQs
Can a private jet land in St. Barths?
No. Rémy de Haenen Airport (SBH / TFFJ) has a 646 m (about 2,120 ft) runway and a maximum authorized takeoff weight of 5.7 tons, per the French AIP. That rules out business jets. Travelers arrive by turboprop or helicopter after landing a jet at Sint Maarten, San Juan or another nearby field.
How do you fly private to St. Barths?
Most US trips land the jet at Princess Juliana (SXM) on Sint Maarten, then hop about 17 nm to SBH in a turboprop such as a Pilatus PC-12. Tradewind and other regional operators also connect from San Juan. Haute Jets arranges the jet leg and coordinates the island hop with the operator and handler.
What are the St. Barths airport hours?
The French AIP lists aerodrome administration and AFIS from 1100 UTC to sunset plus 15 minutes. The Collectivité and Saint Barth Tourism both describe opening around 7:00 a.m. local and closing 15 minutes after sunset. Night jet operations at SBH are not part of normal planning.
Does St. Barths need slots in winter 2026–27?
Yes. COHOR lists SBH as an IATA Level 2 facilitated airport. A June 24, 2026 DGAC letter asks COHOR to facilitate commercial and business-aviation rotations from October 25, 2026 through March 27, 2027, with daytime parking capped at 10 aircraft stands until 15 minutes before sunset.
How far is St. Barths from New York by private jet?
Teterboro to Sint Maarten (SXM) is about 1,481 nm great-circle, and SXM to SBH is about 17 nm. Miami-Opa Locka to SXM is about 1,065 nm. Flight time depends on the aircraft and winds; the operator confirms the schedule on your quote.
Is there fuel at St. Barths airport?
No. The French AIP lists fuel as NIL at TFFJ. Aircraft that need fuel plan it at Sint Maarten or another nearby airport before the short hop.
When is the busiest time to fly private to St. Barths?
Late December through early January is the peak holiday stretch, and the COHOR winter facilitation window runs October 25, 2026 through March 27, 2027. Book early so the jet, the SBH hop and parking recommendations can be lined up together.
How do I get a quote for a private jet to St. Barths?
Request a quote at https://www.hautejets.com/request-a-quote or call (800) 257-5661. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. No jet cards and no membership fees.
Sources
- French SIA AIP, AD 2 TFFJ Saint Barthélemy (runway 646×18 m, 5.7 t limit, hours, fuel NIL, parking): sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr
- COHOR, Saint Barthélemy Airport (SBH/TFFJ) Level 2 facilitation page: cohor.org
- DGAC Direction du transport aérien, Notification de facilitation SBH W26 (June 24, 2026; facilitation Oct 25, 2026–Mar 27, 2027): cohor.org PDF
- Saint Barth Tourism, Travel / airport information (hours, 650 m runway, airlines, entry formalities): saintbarth-tourisme.com
- OurAirports, airport coordinates used for great-circle distances: ourairports.com