Cyril E. King Airport — Local services in Charlotte Amalie West

I came to the US Virgin Islands on my birthday (8-19) and let me tell you coming to this airport was the worst part. Arriving at this airport was fine. The people were very welcoming and helpful in getting us to our destination. To get off this island/ airport was BLOODY HELL!!! Ok so.. I arrived in St. Thomas on my birthday 8-19-24 and I was supposed to leave on 8-22-24. Well my crew and i didn’t leave until 8-23-24. We have flown American Airlines. On 8-22-24 our flight was delayed at least four times (the time it was delayed was to 7 pm.. we were originally supposed to leave at 2 pm) then it was canceled because the pilot didn’t want to fly. Luckily our hotel (The Westin) allowed us to stay in our rooms while our flight kept getting delayed, or we would have been stranded. When our flight was canceled it was basically every man for themselves to figure out where to stay for the night, and they kicked everyone out of the airport. They don’t allow people to stay there overnight. Everyone on my flight was calling American Airlines to get a voucher for a free overnight stay hotel room and a voucher for free transportation to get to our hotels to stay for the night. Our flights got rescheduled to the next morning (9-23-24) at 9 am in the morning.

The next morning came and my husband and I made it to the airport on time and made it through the TSA security and got to the gate while they were boarding, but they would not let us through because they said they had closed the gate. The stairs were literally attached to the plane and our crew were on the plane. Going through TSA security again and trying to bypass everyone was what held us up. We literally made it but nope the ladies would not let us through to get on the plane and the plane was not leaving yet. My husband and I knew we were doomed for the rest of the day. The ladies said we were on standby and we literally had to keep checking for any open seats for one way flights back to Charlotte, NC. They were even trying to offer my husband and I to split and take layover flights and I said “ABSOLUTELY NOT”! For one, I am not going all the way to New York then to Charlotte and there is no guarantee my husband will get a flight home and for two, I'm not splitting up from my husband! Also, they kept telling us there were no room for extra people to get on the plane on all of the other flights leaving. At this point I'm thinking we will never get off this damn island and we are stuck here. They were even saying that if we couldn’t leave today we would have to wait until Sunday to leave which is ABSURD! We have three kids who started school that following week! They also offered us to fly to Miami, FL then find a flight to Charlotte, NC from there since their airport is bigger.

Finally there was one last plane at 5 pm that was a one way back to Charlotte, NC. The flight was about to fly off but it was postponed for an hour (all airlines flights were postponed) because they had to fix something on the runway. That was our golden ticket because my husband got in line to see if there were any empty seats on that flight for us to get on. He was speaking to a couple who was originally on that flight in line and the man said that there were definitely seats on that plane that were open. When my husband asked the ladies they tried to lie and say no there were no seats but luckily the man overheard them and spoke up and said there were and exactly where on the plane my husband and i could sit. They had no choice but to put us on at that point. Yall, I was ecstatic to get on that flight. Once they fixed the runway I could literally cry because I literally felt like I couldn’t leave that island!

The ladies were just so rude and showed no compassion at all. I don't know if that is a Virgin Island thing or what. Also, there were ants crawling everywhere. Yall need to seriously spray around there.

Moral of the story is I will not be traveling to any island...

We just went through this airport in December and I think it's fine enough for its small size. They just began to expand/remodel it with plans to add a second floor, more restaurants and stores, a parking garage & a connected ferry terminal so that will be nice once it's completed.

Arriving we were on the last flight of the day, got in around 6pm and the airport was closing up. Yes it closes. We rented a car so I can't speak on the taxis but they seemed plentiful right outside. We had to wait for a rental car to be brought to us since they ran out of cars (?) so that took a good hour of waiting which was a real pain but that bad experience is on Avis's part not the airport. It seemed people who rented from Budget were having the same issue so perhaps keep that in mind if you're arriving late in the day. There's a small bar in the baggage claim area but it closed shop right after we arrived so there was nothing to do but sit on a bench and wait. The bathrooms were clean though. The outside area is very dark so they could definitely stand to add more lighting.

Coming back for our departure flight, we had to turn our rental car in and check out with the cashier inside the airport, so that takes added time. We visited right at the beginning of high season so the airport wasn't as crowded as it could be, but we arrived 2 hours before our flight and after going through the rental agency, customs and security, we still had close to an hour to wait before our 3:30pm flight so those lines went quick enough. We didn't check any bags, just had carry ons, and we checked in online so if you have to do that at the airport, plan more time for that.

They have portable air conditioners & huge fans starting at security so the only warm area was the customs line. If you're a US citizen, bring your passport and it'll make that part go much quicker. I noticed another review saying the security check is all manual so letting you know the body scanners and xray machines are all working now making it a normal TSA security experience. Once past all the checkpoints, they only have 8 gates & all are in a medium sized room which was crowded but we still found seating. It was cool enough in there too. They have 2-3 small food stands with a local meal option, cheeseburgers, hot dogs & pre-wrapped sandwiches & salads. The food is expensive ($13.50 for a cheeseburger, $4.50 for a water) but isn't all airport food?? There's also a small gift shop stand too. The bathrooms were clean inside the terminal area too and the employees were all friendly enough. Boarding our flight was quick & orderly. For now, you walk outside and board on the tarmac but I like that because you can board from the front & back of the plane which makes it all go much faster.

Overall I'd have no issues going through this airport again and I'm curious to see what it's going to look like once the expansion...

Title: A Memorable Encounter at Cyril E. King Airport

Introduction: Airports are often bustling hubs of activity, where people from diverse backgrounds converge, each with their own stories and destinations. Among the many airports I have visited, Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, stands out as a place where I had a truly remarkable experience. From the moment I stepped foot in this airport, I was captivated by its unique charm and the warmth of its people, leaving an indelible mark on my memory.

I. Arrival at Cyril E. King Airport: Upon arrival at Cyril E. King Airport, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape. The airport is nestled amidst lush greenery, with the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea glistening in the distance. The tropical ambiance created a sense of tranquility, setting the stage for a memorable experience.

II. The Welcoming Atmosphere: What truly distinguished Cyril E. King Airport was the warm and welcoming atmosphere exuded by its staff and locals. From the moment I entered the airport, I was greeted with genuine smiles and friendly gestures. The airport personnel were not only efficient in their duties but also took the time to engage in pleasant conversations, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another traveler passing through.

III. Cultural Immersion: One aspect that made my experience at Cyril E. King Airport truly unique was the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture. The airport showcased vibrant displays of local artwork, showcasing the rich heritage and history of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The melodious tunes of Caribbean music filled the air, transporting me to a world of rhythm and joy. The local cuisine offered at the airport's eateries allowed me to savor the flavors of the region, further enhancing my cultural immersion.

IV. Efficiency and Convenience: Despite its smaller size compared to international airports, Cyril E. King Airport efficiently catered to the needs of its passengers. The airport's layout was well-designed, ensuring easy navigation and minimal waiting times. The security procedures were conducted with utmost professionalism, ensuring the safety of all travelers. The airport's amenities, including comfortable seating areas and free Wi-Fi, provided a pleasant and convenient experience during layovers.

V. Farewell and Reflection: As my time at Cyril E. King Airport drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unforgettable experience it had provided. The airport had not only served as a gateway to my...