
How to Get to St.Barths
November 21, 2025
Jay-Z & Beyoncé’s Private Jet Touches Down at SXM – Thanksgiving in St. Barths Awaits
November 25, 2025~ Paris Hilton’s custom pink Gulfstream jet (tail number N11PH) parked at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten, November 2025. The jet’s pink tail and engine covers stand out under clear Caribbean skies, suggesting a recent arrival. ~
Paris Hilton appears to be adding a dash of glamour to the Caribbean Thanksgiving season. Her signature pink private jet, a Gulfstream with tail number N11PH, was recently spotted on the tarmac at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport – the gateway to neighboring St. Barthélemy (St. Barths). The plane’s unmistakable pink tail and even its engine covers (emblazoned with Hilton’s initials) glistened under blue skies, fueling buzz that the star has arrived in the region for a Thanksgiving getaway. While Hilton hasn’t publicly confirmed her whereabouts, the timing and location of “N11PH” – a registration that pointedly includes her initials – have fans speculating that she’s jet-setting to St. Barths to celebrate the holiday in style.
Jet-Setting via St. Maarten – The Gateway to St. Barths
Why park the jet in St. Maarten? The answer lies in St. Barths’ notoriously petite airport. Gustaf III Airport (SBH) in St. Barths has a runway of only about 2,170 feet, which is far too short for large jets like Hilton’s Gulfstream. In fact, pilots need special certification to land even small planes there, thanks to a steep hill on one end and the beach on the other. As a result, virtually all VIP travelers bound for St. Barths arrive first at a larger airport nearby – often Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) or another regional hub – and then hop over to St. Barths on a smaller aircraft or helicopter.
Hilton’s Gulfstream G450 (nicknamed “Sliv Air”) is a prime example of this two-step journey to St. Barths. Its presence at SXM suggests the heiress likely transferred to a short-range flight (or even a yacht or helicopter) for the final leg to St. Barths, as is customary for the jet set.
This hub-and-spoke approach is common for luxury travelers heading to St. Barths. San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) is another popular jumping-off point – private charter services like Tradewind Aviation even operate connecting flights from SJU to St. Barths. The convenience of these gateways allows celebrities and high-net-worth visitors to bring their long-range private jets close to St. Barths, then seamlessly switch to smaller planes that can handle the island’s short runway. In Hilton’s case, her pink jet parked in St. Maarten is a telling clue: it’s the closest one can get by heavy jet to St. Barths’ tropical paradise.
St. Barths – A Thanksgiving Playground for the Elite
If Paris Hilton is indeed spending Thanksgiving in St. Barths, she’s in very good company. Saint Barthélemy has cemented itself as a holiday playground for the world’s elite, especially as the U.S. Thanksgiving week rolls in. In contrast to chilly autumn weather up north, St. Barths offers sun-soaked beaches, luxury boutiques, and exclusive nightlife – an irresistible combination for those seeking a festive escape. During Thanksgiving in particular, the island comes alive with exclusive soirées and beach parties where A-listers and tastemakers mingle alongside the island’s stylish regulars. It’s the unofficial start of the winter social season in the Caribbean, but still ahead of the peak Christmas/New Year’s rush – meaning visitors enjoy the glam scene without the over-crowding (or price hikes) of late December.
Hilton herself is no stranger to St. Barths’ charms. Earlier this year, she and her family enjoyed an Easter vacation on the island, which she documented on social media. In one post she gushed, “Life is beautiful – Easter in paradise with Baby P,” while sharing a glimpse of her baby son on a St. Barths beach. Given that history, it’s easy to imagine her returning for another celebratory break – trading the traditional stateside Thanksgiving trappings for turquoise waters and toes-in-the-sand luxury. Perhaps she’ll be spotted dining at a chic beachside restaurant, or relaxing in a private villa staffed with a personal chef whipping up a tropical twist on Thanksgiving dinner.
St. Barths has long been a magnet for boldface names, and Thanksgiving is no exception. The island’s mix of French flair and laid-back Caribbean vibe draws an international jet-set crowd. Not only do hospitality icons like Eden Rock and Cheval Blanc Isle de France offer five-star holiday experiences, but many celebrities opt for private villas perched on the hillsides for maximum privacy. It’s not unusual to see mega-yachts owned by billionaires anchored in Gustavia Harbor, or to bump into a famous face at Nikki Beach’s legendary Sunday brunch.
Pop culture royalty routinely flock here – Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio, for example, have been known to make appearances during St. Barths’ festive seasons. Paris Hilton’s potential visit only reinforces the island’s appeal as the place to be for those who can fly anywhere in the world.
Flying in Hilton Style
The sight of Hilton’s pink Gulfstream (“Sliv Air”) on the SXM/TNCM ramp also underscores how she defines traveling in style. This particular jet – a Gulfstream G450 – was famously a gift from her husband, Carter Reum, for her 43rd birthday, and Hilton wasted no time personalizing it to match her brand. The exterior is painted in “Paris Pink” and emblazoned with her catchphrases and initials, and the luxe interior features everything from a mini doggie bed for her Chihuahua to a mini-bar stocked with her favorite champagne. It’s literally a private flying palace, complete with a theater and Wi-Fi, which she affectionately calls Sliv Air (a nod to her slogan “sliving” – living one’s best life). Seeing this flying fashion statement parked in St. Maarten is a reminder that the jet-set lifestyle is alive and well as the holidays begin.
Whether or not Paris Hilton’s Thanksgiving trip to St. Barths is officially confirmed, her jet’s Caribbean stopover speaks volumes. It signals that the tradition of holiday “sliving” in paradise continues among the affluent. As private planes line up at hubs like St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Kitts and San Juan and VIPs make their way to villas and yachts in St. Barths, one thing is clear: the island is beckoning the world’s jet-set to kick off the festive season in utmost luxury. And Paris Hilton’s pink-winged arrival might just be the splash of color that sets the tone for a sensational Thanksgiving week on St. Barths.




