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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GPS Code: MKJS
Local Code: Not available
Location: 18.5037° N, -77.913399° E
Continent: North America
Type: Medium Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
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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Airport Routes
Sangster International Airport (MBJ) offers 101 flight routes operated by 9 airlines. Major carriers include JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and others. Popular destinations from Montego Bay include Fort Lauderdale Intl, Toronto Pearson Int'l, Miami Intl, Orlando Intl and Montreal-Trudeau.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) 5
- Toronto Pearson Int'l (YYZ) 5
- Miami Intl (MIA) 5
- Orlando Intl (MCO) 4
- Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) 3
- Norman Manley Int'l (KIN) 3
- John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) 3
- Halifax Int'l (YHZ) 2
- William P Hobby (HOU) 2
- Boston Logan Intl (BOS) 2
- Frankfurt Int'l (FRA) 2
- Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI) 2
Newly Discovered
- Orlando Intl (MCO) new
- Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) new
- Las Americas (SDQ) new
- Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT) new
- Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI) new
- Philadelphia Intl (PHL) new
- Boston Logan Intl (BOS) new
- Toronto Pearson Int'l (YYZ) new
- Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL) new
- John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) new
- Tocumen Int'l (PTY) new
- Miami Intl (MIA) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Sangster International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
JetBlue
JBU
/ B6
|
5 | 411 | 5 | Feb 13, 2026 |
American Airlines
AAL
/ AA
|
6 | 403 | 6 | Feb 13, 2026 |
Delta Air Lines
DAL
/ DL
|
6 | 238 | 6 | Feb 13, 2026 |
WestJet
WJA
/ WS
|
8 | 210 | 8 | Feb 13, 2026 |
Southwest
SWA
/ WN
|
6 | 189 | 6 | Feb 13, 2026 |
Spirit
NKS
/ NK
|
2 | 124 | 2 | Feb 13, 2026 |
Copa Airlines
CMP
/ CM
|
1 | 100 | 1 | Feb 13, 2026 |
Air Canada
ACA
/ AC
|
2 | 93 | 2 | Feb 10, 2026 |
United
UAL
/ UA
|
6 | 75 | 6 | Jan 24, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07/25 |
10039 ft | 148 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 |
Ground Transportation
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
Boscobel, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
Norman Manley International Airport
Kingston, JM
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
Norman Manley International Airport
Kingston, JM
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
Ian Fleming International Airport
Boscobel, JM
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
External Links & Resources
Official Resources
Public Transportation