Flightradar24 has unveiled a new 24/7 automated live stream from Princess Juliana International Airport, offering aviation enthusiasts around the world a front-row view of one of the most dramatic airport approaches on the planet.
Broadcast from Maho Beach on the Dutch side of St Maarten, the live stream combines real-time video with ADS-B flight tracking overlays and live air traffic control audio, allowing viewers to follow aircraft movements with unprecedented clarity and context.
Bringing one of aviation’s most famous runways online
The system pairs Flightradar24’s global ADS-B data with a pan-tilt-zoom camera powered by CamStreamer. The setup automatically tracks arriving and departing aircraft, locking onto them as they approach over the beach or power down the runway on departure.
Live ATC audio from the control tower adds another layer of realism, enabling viewers to hear clearances and instructions as aircraft line up, land, and depart. The result is a fully immersive remote plane-spotting experience, available around the clock.
For decades, this same spectacle has drawn thousands of aviation fans and casual visitors to Maho Beach, where aircraft pass just metres above spectators’ heads before touching down.
Why St Maarten remains a plane-spotting legend
Princess Juliana International Airport is globally renowned for its unusually low approaches over the beach, a product of the airport’s geography and runway layout. Widebody aircraft once formed a major part of the attraction, with types such as the Boeing 747 skimming just above the sand.
While those days are largely gone, the airport remains a compelling destination for spotting. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, most scheduled commercial flights today are operated by narrow-body aircraft, including Airbus A320 and A321 models and Boeing 737 family jets, flown by North American and Caribbean carriers.
That said, rarer aircraft still appear. The Boeing 757, for example, is expected to operate around 200 flights at the airport during the first quarter of next year, offering occasional highlights for enthusiasts.
A new way to experience low-approach aviation
Flightradar24’s SXM live stream allows viewers to observe aircraft behaviour in detail, from stabilized approaches over the water to high-power takeoffs over the beach. Combined with ADS-B overlays, the stream provides insight into aircraft type, altitude, speed, and routing, enhancing both entertainment and educational value.
While most movements are routine scheduled services, St Maarten’s long history of unusual and memorable aircraft visits means there is always the potential for something unexpected to appear on screen.
With this launch, Flightradar24 has effectively transported one of the world’s most famous plane-spotting locations into a digital, globally accessible format, giving aviation fans a new way to experience the thrill of Maho Beach without leaving home.
