Montego Bay Airport (MBJ)
Montego Bay Airport (MBJ), Sangster, is the tourism gateway of Jamaica, on the northwest coast, close to the hotels and the cruise ports. The Airports Authority of Jamaica asks the passengers to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one, and the security check has a special approach for the children.
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Updated 21 October 2026
The terminals at Montego Bay Airport
The Airports Authority of Jamaica says Sangster International Airport is the leading tourism gateway of Jamaica, on the northwest coast of the island, at the centre of the country's main tourism region and close to a wide range of hotels and resorts. It is within easy driving distance of the cruise ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and of the town of Negril.
The same page gives the runway 7/25, of 8,734 by 150 feet, with 8,510 feet available for the landing on the runway 7 and 8,180 on the runway 25, an elevation of 4 feet and an ILS on the runway 7, and it says that the customs and the immigration work every day and that the control tower is available every day too.
Getting to and from Montego Bay Airport
The airport's own page lists the car hire companies that work there, Apex Car Rental, Avis, Budget and Central Rent-a-Car, and the authority's FAQ says that the foreign exchange services are available at the airport, in Montego Bay.
The airport is close to the hotels and the resorts of the north coast, so many families agree the ride with the hotel before they land, and the cruise ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are within easy driving distance.
What happens when you arrive at MBJ
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit.
The authority asks the passengers to complete the immigration and customs form that the airline gives them before the landing, and to declare the items they carry on arrival. After the landing you clear immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs.
Montego Bay Airport with children
The authority's travel tips say the security staff use a modified approach when they screen children, that the parents or the guardians can help with the pat-down if it is needed, and that the children's pockets should be empty. The liquids, gels and aerosols of the carry-on have to be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear bag.
With two hours of margin for a domestic flight and three for an international one, a family with a small child has time for the line and for the security check. Leave the children's documents in the carry-on bag, not in the checked luggage.
Plan your stop at Montego Bay Airport
Terminals, airlines and arrival procedures change, so check with the airline and the airport's own site before you travel. And check with the embassy or consulate about the documents your family needs for the entry rules of every country on your route.
Sources
- Official page of the Airports Authority of Jamaica on Sangster International Airport: it is the leading tourism gateway of Jamaica, on the northwest coast of the island, at the centre of the country's main tourism region and close to a wide range of hotels and resorts, within easy driving distance of the cruise ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and of the town of Negril, with a runway 7/25 of 8,734 by 150 feet, 8,510 feet available for the landing on the runway 7 and 8,180 on the runway 25, an elevation of 4 feet, an ILS on the runway 7, a control tower available daily, customs and immigration working every day, and the car hire companies Apex Car Rental, Avis, Budget and Central Rent-a-Car. — airportsauthorityjamaica.aero (checked 21 October 2026)
- Official travel tips of the same authority: the immigration and customs form of the airline has to be completed before the landing, the items have to be declared on arrival, the liquids, gels and aerosols go in containers of 100 ml or less inside a single clear and resealable bag, and the security staff use a modified approach with the children, where the parents or the guardians can help with the pat-down if it is needed and the children's pockets should be empty. — airportsauthorityjamaica.aero (checked 21 October 2026)
- Official FAQ of the same authority: the passengers have to arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure of a domestic flight and at least 3 hours before an international one, the liquids, creams, gels and pastes in containers larger than 100 ml are prohibited in the hand luggage, and the foreign exchange services are available at Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. — airportsauthorityjamaica.aero (checked 21 October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Montego Bay Airport (Sangster)?
On the northwest coast of Jamaica, at the centre of the country's main tourism region and close to a wide range of hotels and resorts, within easy driving distance of the cruise ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and of the town of Negril.
How early should I arrive at Montego Bay Airport?
The Airports Authority of Jamaica asks the passengers to arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure of a domestic flight and at least 3 hours before an international one.
What can I take in the hand luggage at Montego Bay Airport?
The liquids, creams, gels and pastes in containers larger than 100 ml are prohibited, and the authority's travel tips ask for the liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100 ml or less, inside a single clear and resealable bag.
How are the children screened at Montego Bay Airport?
The security staff use a modified approach when they screen children, the parents or the guardians can help with the pat-down if it is needed, and the children's pockets should be empty.
What do I do first when I land at MBJ?
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, clear immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs, and declare the items you carry on arrival.