Flying to Martinique

General Information

Martinique has only one airport (Martinique Aimé Césaire), located on the outskirts of Fort-de-France. It receives flights from around a dozen airlines connecting it to about fifteen cities, mostly in the region except for mainland France and Quebec. It also serves as a secondary hub for Air Caraïbes and Air Antilles Express.

Types of Flights

Martinican Airlines

Apart from the small Airawak, which only operates on-demand flights, there are no 100% Martinican airlines. Air Caraïbes is the result of a merger between several Caribbean carriers, and Air Antilles Express is based in Guadeloupe, with both actually headquartered on that island.

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

Beyond a few seasonal charters mainly to North America and occasionally mainland France, Martinique only welcomes scheduled flights.

Promotions and Special Offers

The destination regularly benefits from promotions and special deals, though these don’t always cover flights alone but often include bundled offers like "flight + accommodation." That said, such discounted packages can be very worthwhile.

From France

Departing from Mainland France

Orly (Air Caraïbes + Air France + Corsair + Level) is directly connected to Martinique in about 8 to 9 hours of flight time (depending on direction). Prices: 420 to 820 €.

As for other regions, there are no direct flights, and journeys require a connection via Paris by plane or train.

Direct Flights or with Connections

While flights from Paris are almost exclusively offered by French carriers with direct routes, some options via Guadeloupe also exist, which lengthen the journey without being cheaper (so not recommended). As for foreign airlines, only American Airlines via Miami occasionally appears. However, given the price, the detour, and U.S. transit requirements, it’s not advisable. In short, for Martinique, flying direct is best.

Choosing Criteria

Since (from mainland France) it’s a competition between four airlines (Air Caraïbes, Air France, Corsair, Level), options are quickly compared, with direct flights being the priority. Note that during Christmas and peak holiday periods, airfares to the French West Indies tend to rise significantly.

Departing from the "French West Indies" and French Guiana

There are direct connections between Martinique and Guadeloupe for roughly 150/200 € round trip (Air Antilles Express + Air Caraïbes + Air France), as well as to Saint Martin (Air Caraïbes) and Saint Barth (charters). Flights also operate to/from Cayenne (Air Caraïbes + Air France)... at around 500 € round trip!

From Another Country

Belgium and Switzerland

No direct flights from Belgium or Switzerland (or anywhere else in Europe outside France), so a connecting flight is required, often via Paris.

Quebec

There is a weekly Air Canada flight between Montreal and Martinique, increasing to twice weekly in winter. Similarly, Air Transat operates the same route during the winter season (roughly December to April).

Other

North America: Boston, New York, and Washington (Norwegian), Miami (American Airlines + charters).

Caribbean: Barbados (LIAT), Cuba/Havana (Cubana), Haiti (Air Caraïbes), Puerto Rico (Air Antilles Express + Seaborne Airlines), Dominican Republic/Santo Domingo (Air Antilles Express + Air Caraïbes), Saint Lucia (Air Antilles Express + Air Caraïbes + LIAT). Note that LIAT, based in Antigua, also offers connections to other islands with an immediate stopover at its hub.

Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport

This is the island’s only airport. It is located in the municipality of Le Lamentin, about ten kilometers southeast of Fort-de-France.

Name: Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport

IATA Code: FDF

Hub (secondary): for Air Caraïbes and Air Antilles Express

Number of Terminals: 1

Annual Passenger Capacity: 2.5 million

Passenger Traffic: 1,687,000 (2013)

Distance to City Center: 8 km from Fort-de-France

Website: http://www.martinique.aeroport.fr/

Services

The airport hosts most essential shops and services. You’ll find currency exchange, a post office, a pharmacy, and a tourist office, as well as several car rental agencies. Free Wi-Fi is available for 30 minutes. There is also assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Sleeping at the Airport

Transport

No public transport serves the airport, and taxis hold a monopoly on transfers, with prices to match—around 20 to 30 € to reach downtown Fort-de-France. Note that if you’re staying at a hotel or guesthouse, they can usually arrange pickup upon arrival.