Sangster International Airport (MBJ)

Montego Bay, JM 🇯🇲 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

MKJS

IATA

MBJ

Elevation

4 ft

Region

JM-08

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: MKJS

Local Code: Not available

Location: 18.5037° N, -77.913399° E

Continent: NA

Type: Medium Airport

External Links

Public Transportation
Links verified by AI • Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay presents a highly mixed experience for recent travelers. While the airport has been lauded with prestigious awards for its operational excellence and ongoing upgrades, many visitors report significant dissatisfaction, primarily due to overcrowding, disorganization, and issues with staff demeanor. The sentiment is polarized, with some praising efficiency and amenities, while others describe it as one of the worst airport experiences.

What Travelers Love
  • Scenic Arrival: Many travelers enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline when landing in Montego Bay.
  • Club Mobay: The VIP arrival and departure service, Club Mobay, is frequently highlighted as a worthwhile investment for bypassing potentially long immigration and security lines, offering a more seamless and comfortable experience with access to lounges and amenities.
  • Ongoing Modernization: MBJ has been recognized as the Caribbean's Leading Airport for 17 consecutive years (as of October 2025) by the World Travel Awards, reflecting continuous investments in infrastructure, passenger experience, and technology, including the integration of biometric systems.
  • Diverse Transportation: A wide array of shuttle services and private transfers are readily available from the airport to various resorts and hotels across Jamaica, offering convenient pre-booked or on-arrival options.
Common Complaints
  • Overcrowding and Disorganization: Many reviews cite the airport as too small for the high volume of traffic, leading to crowded terminals and a general sense of chaos, particularly in immigration, customs, and security areas.
  • Long Wait Times: Security and immigration wait times are a consistent complaint, often described as "super long" and unorganized, sometimes exceeding an hour, especially during peak travel periods. While real-time data from December 2025 indicates current security waits of about 30 minutes and passport control around 8 minutes, peak hours can significantly increase these times.
  • Rude and Unhelpful Staff: A significant number of travelers report encountering rude, lazy, and incompetent airport staff, particularly in immigration and security, which negatively impacts the overall welcome and departure experience.
  • Terminal Conditions: Travelers have reported issues with the cleanliness of toilets and a lack of proper air conditioning, making the airport hot and uncomfortable. Food options are sometimes described as "pathetic" and overpriced, with limited authentic Jamaican choices.

Overall, while Sangster International Airport is undergoing improvements and receives industry accolades, individual traveler experiences can be highly variable. For a smoother journey, particularly during busy periods, utilizing services like Club Mobay and pre-arranging transportation are highly recommended to mitigate common frustrations related to queues and crowd management.

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Popular Flight Routes
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Top Airlines

Operating at Sangster International Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
JetBlue
JBU / B6
5 330 5 Dec 10, 2025
6 278 6 Dec 10, 2025
WestJet
WJA / WS
3 147 3 Dec 10, 2025
Southwest
SWA / WN
6 137 6 Dec 9, 2025
3 136 3 Dec 10, 2025
Spirit
NKS / NK
2 99 2 Dec 9, 2025
Air Canada
ACA / AC
2 76 2 Dec 9, 2025
United
UAL / UA
6 68 6 Dec 6, 2025
1 67 1 Dec 10, 2025
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
07/25 8735 ft 150 ft ASP Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
APP APP 120.8 MHz
ATIS ATIS 127.9 MHz
GND GND 121.7 MHz
TWR TWR 118.75 MHz
VOR-DME Rwy 25 115.7 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
MBJ Montego Bay NDB 248 kHz
SIA Sangster VOR-DME 115700 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Official licensed airport taxis are readily available. Desks for authorized taxi associations like JUTA and MAXI are located in the Arrivals Hall after you exit customs. It is strongly recommended to use only these official providers. Fares to major destinations are often set, but you should always confirm the price with the dispatcher or driver before starting your trip.

Rental Cars

Several international and local car rental companies have desks within the Arrivals Hall. Major providers include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Island Car Rentals. Pre-booking your vehicle is highly recommended, especially during peak season. Be aware that driving in Jamaica is on the left-hand side of the road.

Public Transportation

There is no direct public city bus service from the airport terminal. The most common form of shared transit for tourists are pre-booked shuttle buses operated by companies like Knutsford Express or by specific hotels and resorts. These services provide reliable transportation to major towns and tourist areas across the island. Local route taxis and public buses can be found on the main roads outside the airport but are generally not recommended for first-time visitors with luggage.

Nearby Airports

Ian Fleming International Airport
OCJ • MKBS
Boscobel, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~100 km away
Tinson Pen Airport
KTP • MKTP
Tinson Pen, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~129 km away
Norman Manley International Airport
KIN • MKJP
Kingston, JM
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~135 km away
Norman Manley International Airport
KIN • MKJP
Kingston, JM
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~135 km away
Ian Fleming International Airport
OCJ • MKBS
Boscobel, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~100 km away
Tinson Pen Airport
KTP • MKTP
Tinson Pen, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~129 km away
Ken Jones Airport
POT • MKKJ
Ken Jones, JM
Medium Airport
~150 km away
Mafoota Airstrip
JM-0011
Mafoota, JM
Small Airport
~15 km away
Braco Airfield
JM-0012
Braco, JM
Small Airport
~45 km away
Negril Airport
NEG • MKNG
Negril, JM
Small Airport
~48 km away
Puerto Seco Airstrip
JM-0007
Discovery Bay, JM
Small Airport
~55 km away
Silent Hill Airstrip
JM-0008
Christiana, JM
Small Airport
~56 km away
Kirkvine Airstrip
JM-0009
Williamsfield, JM
Small Airport
~66 km away
Nain Airstrip
JM-0010
NoneJM
Small Airport
~67 km away
Lionel Densham Aerodrome
JM-0018
Watchwell, JM
Small Airport
~67 km away
Silent Waters Villa Heliport
JM-0020
Unity Hall, JM
Heliport
~10 km away
Up-Park Camp Heliport
JM-0014
Kingston, JM
Heliport
~133 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.