Jazmin Li
The Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) is located at No. 70 Lindbergh Bay on the southwestern side of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. Travellers have reported that the airport is often understaffed and that the staff are indifferent and unhelpful. There have also been reports of long wait times, with some travellers recommending arriving 2-3 hours early for flights. However, it is unclear whether the St. Thomas airport is air-conditioned. While one traveller referred to the airport as an air-conditioned hot box, another traveller asked whether the check-in and departure areas were air-conditioned, indicating that they were unsure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) |
| Location | No. 70 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Airport Size | 280 acres |
| Runway Length | 7,000 feet |
| Runway Width | 150 feet |
| Runway Depth | One of the deepest man-made runways in the world |
| Terminal Size | First floor: 190,000 sq. ft., Top floor: 60,000 sq. ft. |
| Terminal Gates | 11 |
| Terminal Hours | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Air Conditioning | Yes, the airport has air conditioning |
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What You'll Learn
Cyril E. King Airport
The Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) is located at No. 70 Lindbergh Bay on the southwestern side of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The airport is approximately two miles west of the capital city, Charlotte Amalie. With about 280 acres of land, it is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. The first airport on St. Thomas was a small airstrip in what was known as Mosquito Bay, which was later dredged, filled, and renamed Lindbergh Bay. The first passengers arrived on January 22, 1928, via a monoplane owned by the Aerial Express Co. of San Juan. The U.S. government further developed the airstrip and renamed it Bourne Field, primarily serving as an airfield for the U.S. Military. After World War II, the military ceased operations, and the airport was turned over to the VI government.
The Cyril E. King Airport terminal was built in November 1990 and is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The two-story terminal has 11 gates and a total area of 250,000 square feet. The first floor measures 190,000 square feet, while the top floor is 60,000 square feet. The airport's asphalt runway is one of the deepest man-made runways in the world, measuring 7,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. Aircraft rescue and firefighting services are available during operating hours, and federal services like U.S. Customs and TSA may close earlier.
While I cannot confirm if the Cyril E. King Airport is air-conditioned, reviews suggest that travellers have experienced waiting in a "hot box" and advise arriving early. The airport has also received criticism for long wait times, especially during weekends, and understaffing in customs, resulting in some passengers missing their flights. However, others have shared that their experiences were fine, and it is recommended to arrive 2-3 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights.
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STT Airport's history
The Cyril E. King Airport (IATA: STT, ICAO: TIST, FAA LID: STT) is a public airport located two miles (3 km) west of the central business district in the town of Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. The airport is currently the busiest in the United States Virgin Islands and one of the busiest in the eastern Caribbean, servicing 1,403,000 passengers from July 2015 through June 2016. The airport also serves the island of St. John and is used by those travelling to the nearby British Virgin Islands.
The airport operates one main runway that is 7,000 ft × 150 ft (2,134 m × 46 m) long, making it one of the largest deep-water, dredged runways in the Caribbean. The terminal, built in November 1990, operates 11 gates. The first floor measures 190,000 square feet, while the top floor measures 60,000 square feet. The airport's asphalt runway is one of the deepest man-made runways in the world.
The airport was originally known as Mosquito Bay in 1927, the only airstrip serving the island of St. Thomas. The facility was named after a nearby grassy swamp, which was later renamed Lindbergh Bay after Charles Lindbergh used it to land the Spirit of St. Louis. The first passengers landed in 1928 via the La Nina, a monoplane owned by the Aerial Express Co. of San Juan carrying its pilot and four passengers. The US government further developed the airstrip and renamed it Bourne Field, after the first person to fly non-stop from the United States to Nicaragua. The field served primarily as an airfield for the US Military until the military ceased operations in the territory after World War II. The original airport terminal was an old military hangar constructed in the 1940s, and the airport was named in honour of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. In 1940, the US Navy ordered a major expansion of the base, extending and paving the runways to accommodate a VMS-3 observation squadron.
On October 3, 1984, the airport was renamed in honour of the late Governor Cyril Emmanuel King, the second elected governor of the US Virgin Islands. Construction of the current airport terminal began in 1980 and was completed in November 1990. The runway was extended from 4,200 to its present length in 1992.
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Customs and staffing issues
The Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) in St. Thomas is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. Travellers have reported long wait times, especially when going through Customs. One traveller reported that it took over two hours to get through Customs, and 15 people on their flight missed their plane as a result. The traveller also noted that the airport staff seemed indifferent about the long wait times and understaffing.
Another traveller noted that the airport is always unpredictable in terms of how long the lines will be. They recommend arriving 2-3 hours early, especially when travelling on weekends. They also suggest giving yourself extra time during peak travel days, such as Saturdays and Sundays, when there are many international flights.
The airport terminal is open from 6 am to 11 pm, and aircraft rescue and firefighting services are available during that time. However, airline ticketing and federal services, such as U.S. Customs and TSA, may close earlier.
To ensure a smooth travel experience, it is recommended to follow the airline's guidelines. For example, some airlines suggest arriving three hours in advance for American flights and two hours for other airlines. If you have checked in online and have no checked baggage, 90 minutes should suffice. Having a Global Entry card can also expedite the process, as it allows you to use a special lane.
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Travel advice
When travelling to St. Thomas, you will likely arrive at the Cyril E. King International Airport (STT). The airport is located on the southwestern side of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately two miles west of the capital city, Charlotte Amalie. It is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean.
The airport recommends arriving 2-3 hours before your flight, especially if you are travelling on the weekend. This is due to the airport often being short-staffed and having long lines for Customs. If you are flying with Delta or American Airlines, you may need to arrive even earlier, as they have their own dedicated lines.
The airport terminal is open from 6 am to 11 pm, and aircraft rescue and firefighting services are available during that time. However, ticketing and federal services may close earlier, so it is best to check with your airline.
The airport has a two-story terminal built in 1990, with 11 gates on the first floor and a second floor for departures. The original airport terminal was constructed in the 1940s and was an old military hangar, as the airport was previously a US Military airfield.
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Discrimination policies
The Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) is a public airport located at No. 70 Lindbergh Bay on the southwestern side of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. While I could not find explicit information on whether the airport is air-conditioned, one source mentions waiting in an "air-conditioned hot box". This suggests that at least some parts of the airport are air-conditioned.
The airport has strict non-discrimination policies in place. It is unlawful for airport operators, lessees, tenants, concessionaires, and contractors to discriminate against any person based on race, colour, national origin, sex, creed, or disability in public services and employment opportunities. Any allegations of discrimination should be promptly reported to the Airport Manager or the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Civil Rights. Federal regulations on unlawful discrimination are available for review in the Airport Manager's Office.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas is air-conditioned. However, some travellers have complained about the airport being a "hot box". It is recommended to arrive 2-3 hours early for flights.
It is recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance if flying with American Airlines, 2 hours in advance for all other airlines, and 90 minutes in advance if you check in online and have no checked baggage.
Sat. and Sundays are the busiest times at the airport, with a high volume of international flights. It is recommended to avoid travelling on weekends if possible and to arrive early to account for longer waiting times.
The airport is located at No. 70 Lindbergh Bay on the southwestern side of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
