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Montego Bay Airport Passenger Reviews and Montego Bay Airport Traveller Reports
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MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 2 January 2013 by S Azhar (USA) |
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Rating : 6/10 |  |
Queuing |  |
Cleanliness |  |
Facilities |  |
Recommended |  |
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Having arrived from ATL we walked through several corridors. Then a Delta representative checked our
immigration papers. When we finally got to immigration we were told that we would have to redo our papers
because the Delta representative tore them. This took about 1 min. Fortunately the line had become shorter
by then. Jamaican customs and agriculture was very efficient. After this a uniformed Delta representative was
waiting for our party. On the way back the check in kiosks kept freezing, so we had to get our boarding
passes from the check in counters. We waited for 49 min in the line (only 3 counters were available). Terrible
check in experience. One member of our party who was in a wheel chair had to wait for 20 min (sky priority
line!). Security was very quick. Lots of restaurants in the main terminal. The airports Wi-Fi was rather slow,
however our gate was next to the Air Margaritaville restaurant which had very fast Wi-Fi.
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MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT review : 25 February 2011 by P Blakey (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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Arrived at 3.30pm on Saturday. This is the busy time of the day so the wait for passport
control was nearly 1.5 hours. Once through all okay. I suggest that if you have a choice try
to book a flight that comes in after about 5.00pm.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT review : 9 September 2010 by D Mackay (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Disgraceful lines at immigration. Took over 2 hours to get through. Then greeted by
unwelcoming and suspicious immigration officers. Then a shambles at the luggage carousel. All
bags had been removed and piled in a corner. Then to cap it all, a long line at "nothing to
declare," with very unfriendly customs officers. The whole dreadful experience took over 3
hours from touchdown after a 10 hour transatlantic flight. Avoid this airport at all costs.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT review : 18 March 2010 by Cody Gonzalez (USA)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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| Queuing |
| Cleanliness |
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Upon arrival you are directed to immigration, where lines were painfully long (40mins) even
though 20+ podiums were open. Once we cleared that you go to pick up your bags, were it was
another mess, and the screens showing which carousel your bags should be on was incorrect. We
were then directed by one of the staff to the correct carousel; at this point you have to
search for your bags on the floor as they were all taken of the carousel. From this point on
it was fairly fast, as customs was a breeze. All in all airport is nice, clean and has lots of
shopping options. Just be prepared for the lines.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 9 February 2010 by D Casson
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Arrival was very good with no queues at immigration. Luggage arrived quickly. Customs no
problem. Good experience. Outside the terminal can be a bit intimidating, especially if you do
not know where you are going. Departure quite slow. Lots of security post Xmas Day incident.
Bags searched at least twice. Boarding the Virgin Flight reminded me of my rugby days.
Facilities airside OK, good nachos and Red Strip on tap so was quite happy! Could see some
issues if there are several arrivals at the same time, but its Montego Bay so stay cool.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 17 November 2009 by I Maciver
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Expansion continues, immigration on entry can be a pain. Make sure you are given a proper card
on your flight. And fill it in before you leave the plane. You will be taken out of queue by
an officer and sent over to a desk to do so. Even when you then have completed it, he may hold
you back as he lets other passengers through. Customs most times is poor - most people are in
the 'nothing to declare' line - with most times only 2 officers on duty. Trying to go through
"To declare' line to get around it does not work. Jamaican staff can be very inflexible. Rum
prices are about the same as any tourist would pay at/near his hotel.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 11
November 2009 : by Terry James
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
The airport has been expanded since my last trip to Jamaica. The older part has also been
remodeled. Immigration was very easy with no line of any kind. There also was no line at
customs. Was off the plane and out of the airport in about 20 min. They have added many new
stores for those who like to shop when departing. The airport is neat and clean. Much improved
from what it was in the past.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 24
October 2009 : by Leigh Blake
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
The main part of the airport building is rather new. The building is clean. The big problem is
immigration on arrival. The line was very long and slow moving. Expect some wait if several
planes arrive at the same time. Customs was quick. Lots of places to shop when you depart with
prices that are not too far out of line for an airport (but few bargains). It was a hard place
to exchange money when departing due to the location of the exchange booth. Food options were
fine if a bit limited. The airport is much improved over my last time to Jamaica but it still
needs some improvement.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 30 April 2009 : by Andre Souza
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Quite modern airport, immigration is kind! the tourist information office will try to
book/recommend you the 5 star resorts so watch out! a taxi to the city will cost you 8US.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 23 February 2009 : by Nina Roberts
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
Arriving from London and going through immigration was horrendous. it took me one and a half
hours to get through immigration on 24th Jan 2009. It took my husband, who came a week later
on Jan 31st 2009, two hours and fifteen minutes to get through immigration. After a long 10
hour flight from London, already exhausted, this is unacceptable.
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT customer review : 10 December 2008 : by Tony Freeman
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |  |
What a refreshing change, an airport run by smiling friendly people even the customs officer
welcomed us, a small, often overlooked aspect at many of the airports we have flown from. The
airport, the shops and toilet areas were spotless, The retail outlets were not at all overpriced
like most airports. All in all a very pleasant experience to the start and end of our holiday!!
Montego Bay Airport review by J Otterman
23 April 2008 Customer Rating : 
Experienced the most professional & friendly people while departing Montego Bay. Security
checkpoint was not stressful and rushed, gift shop vendors actually made you feel welcome and the
place was clean (even though it was under renovation). Wish that some of airports in the US were
operated with the same amount of class!
Montego Bay Airport review by Susan Boland
25 March 2008 Customer Rating : 
We were at Sangster International airport March 2008. Coming was ok, but leaving was bad, the Delta
people were on strike so our plane was 2 hours late due to cleaning and restocking the plane. Check
in people were intentionally going extra slow and some people waited long hours to check in. No one
at the airport would talk to us and let us know what was going on, or if we were even flying out
the same day. Many people were there from the day before. Food is way too expensive and you can't
take any liquids on your carry ont. It was air conditioned and comfortable.
Montego Bay Airport review by T Watson
26 October 2007 Customer Rating :
Lots of walking due to the renovations. But overall, reasonable. Leaving - different story. The check
in was ridiculous. The Airport was more or less empty, except for our flight leaving at 8:45 pm.
Almost every person experienced some sort of problem. Overweight baggage, to many bags etc.
The computer system and payment desk were something out of the 1980's. It seemed that there was only 1
person that knew what was going on. He was running from station to station trying get everybody
processed. Then my partner stood in a line up (at that time) of 3 people for over an hour to the pay
the $100 USD to get our overweight scuba gear home. (Scuba gear is suppose to be free)
Then security checks. The same guy takes my passport and about 5 others and disappears. One passenger
is freaking out. Eventually, after about an hour and a half, all is well. We get past the security,
metal detectors and into the "Mall" area. This part of the Airport has very modern everything, and is
quite nice. It seems they forgot to get the new computers for the check in area. My advice - make sure
your baggage is under the limit, returning from your trip. Buy your Rum in the Duty Free on the way
back. It’s not included in the baggage weight and less expensive than the regular stores. Absolutely
no liquid in your carry on. Toronto allows small amounts, but not Jamaica. Even thought they have
signs every ware saying they do! Oy!
Montego Bay Airport review by Mike Bryane
21 January 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
MBJ is quite an interesting airport. Certainly one of the better in
that region. There are al ot of duty free shops however, they need more
restaurants. Immigration and custom hall needs to be expanded. You may
have to do a lot of walking depending on where your gate is. Overall my
time at the airport was pleasant it has a beautiful decor and is very
spacious.
Montego Bay Airport review by Vera Williams
19 October 2006
Landed at Montego Bay. Went to the baggage hall and found that our
bags had been piled on a trolley by a person who insisted on wheeling
this to the customs officer. He stated he was not allowed to take the
baggage any further. The distance was less than 20 yards but he still
wanted a tip. I have pushed my luggage many times across this baggage
hall and never thought about it. Why are these people allowed to do
this? Used Montego Bay airport on my return to England. The airport has
been extended and is more pleasant to use now that AC is installed. We
did not find the new shops/bars and restaurants until we went to the
gate, which by then there was no tiime left to use these facilities.
More information after security and information about the new lay out
would have been useful. Check in had been shorter than expected so that
we would have appreciated the new facilities. Never mind, we will know
for the next trip.
Montego Bay Airport review by Tyler Thomson
11 July 2006
It is quite modern and spacious and every time I pass through there, I
am always amazed with the amount of work that is being done to improve
the facility. The new international concourse is very impressive.
However I do think it could be utilized a little bit more, but it is a
busy airport during the rush hours of 10am to 5pm. Some problems is that
the AC does not work that well in Immigrations or Customs but that will
soon be changed as they are building a whole new section to replace the
current immigration and customs area. There are so many shops and a new
shopping concourse is suppose to open really soon. I think there should
be a first class lounge for all the airlines that don’t have their own
and I feel the check in lobby in the departure concourse needs to be
extended. During the busy periods its way to crowded and it seems like
it takes forever for you to check in. Also I think they need to raise
the roof in the western concourse, it’s a little bit to low and it feels
claustrophobic. If you’re an aviation fan this is a nice airport to for
some spotting from the East concourse because it’s very airy and allot
of glass windows. Overall I give the airport 4 out of 5. It will be nice
to see the airport again once it has completed its expansion project.
Maybe then Ill give it a 5 out of 5. There might be a lot of walkign
also, depending on what concourse your flight departs from.
Montego Bay Airport review by Jane Abel
10 June 2006
Conditions greatly improved from Dec. '05 to February, '06. We do miss
the welcoming dancers from years past. Yes the walk to the immigration
queue upon departing the plane is long. The lines move quicker, once
you arrive, as there are more agents. Unloading baggage in mid
December took one hour. In late Feb. it was a breeze! The restrooms in
the international gate area are clean & modern. Yes the prices in the
new shops, restaurants are high. I think the old duty free shops were
cheaper for perfumes.
Montego Bay Airport review by Ted Jay
7 February 2006
MBJ (International terminal) is an airport that is always expanding and
there is something new to see every time you visit. The main problem
currently are the lines, whether it be immigration, customs or checkin.
They have improved on the PA system and currently expanding and
modernizing the terminal. This facility should be excellent and one of
the best in the caribbean once completed. I would love to see more
restaurants and improvement with the public display system technology.
The air condition also needs improvements. It does not work the same
throughout the entire terminal. The new eastern concourse is quite
modern and efficient. The Domestic terminal serves it purpose. Quite a
distance from the International terminal but the airlines that operate
from there does provide free transit to and from the terminals. However,
there is rumours that the domestic terminal will be merged with the
International terminal.
Montego Bay Airport review by Andrew Goldie
25 October 2005
Recently I travelled through MBJ on vacation. I found parts of the
airport extremely run-down and the heat inside the building is
unbearable, they should invest in a good air-conditioning system. On
arrival we waited at passport control for over an hour, standing, there
were but few desks and only a handful of staff. The international check-
in area is very messy and dirty. Queues again were ridiculous! When
reaching the end of the queue you are confronted by an official rushing
you to a couple of fold-down tables where more official will then go
through all your luggage in front of everyone then again you are pushed
to a check-in desk. The international departures lounge is nice but hot,
things are over priced compared to outside. The new gate area is
wonderful! Although its still boiling and there are very long walks with
now moving walk ways.
Montego Bay Airport review by Brian Doyle
17 August 2005
Immigration processing at MBJ is not good. It can take over an hour to get through -
almost as bad as Miami. On our last visit, there were only 3 officers on duty and an
uneven distribution of the feeder lines. We got funnelled to the worst one. The
immigration officers do not make you feel welcome. No AC or fans were on. On the
return leg, we got to MBJ 3 hours before and check-in and immigration were a breeze
(although not terribly friendly). We also got harassed by the red cap porter who did
not think we had tipped enough for the 30 yards he had transported our luggage! The
shops at MBJ are generally quite good, but tend to close at 2200. The AC and fans were
on in the departure lounge. Not good thinking by the marketing people there. Boarding
was efficient. But MBJ needs to improve that airport's act and the attitude of its
staff.
Montego Bay Airport review by Tammy Nordberg
29 June 2005
Parts of the airport look very worn and run down. Not at all what you might expect of an
international airport. It's also very hot inside the airport and at the gates. We were fortunate
to get through Customs and Immigaration in minutes on our arrival. On our departure, we got through
everything quickly until we were ready to board our plane. That's when airport security decided (or
maybe this is policy) to hand check every single carry on. This process took almost an hour. Our
carry on bags had already been checked by security so I'm not sure why they hand checked every bag
at the gate but everyone was quite annoyed. The duty free shopping section of the airport is really
nice, clean and there are plenty of stores to chose from. This part of the airport was cooler,
also. Mobay airport needs much updating but it seems to run pretty smoothly even though most of the
employees aren't overly friendly or helpful.
Montego Bay Airport review by Iain Maciver
8 June 2005
MBJ or Sangster AIrport has grown from an old army airfield in WWII to a reasonable airport for a
developing country. I started flying there when it was one runway and a quonset hut for a terminal.
The airport operation is contracted out to a Canadian Airport Authority (Vancouver?). Current
construction of a new building at the east end will alleviate most complaints
(due 2006). Problem
generally is the impatient intolerant pax - this airport is equivilant to a regional airport in size
and traffic volume. To expect service levels to equal Heathrow or other non-american airports is
unrealistic. If one is realistic & winds down to island time/speed it is a
pleasant experience -
people watching is VERY interesting here- I have seen more people make fools of themselves that at
any other airport.. I have always found parking spots in the parking lot & it is an easy walk from
their to the check-in counters. The current waiting lounge is indeed small but is more friendly
that the vast majority of N American facilities. My favourite feature - you dont have to take a
bus down the tarmac to even get to the plane, or even walk miles to it. The main cause for
consternation is from americans who have to go through extensive/excessive? security screening as
imposed by their own govt. I have seen lines from AA, etc out the door due to this. By now anyone
bound for a american airport should have gotten accustomed to this and altered their check in times
accordingly. Now that Air Jamaica is no longer Air Sandals indeed there have been changes but it is
still a 'friendly' airline and they still represent the majority of check-in counters.
And for arriving pax, the flight path in (generally from the west) provided some dramatic views of
this island nation.
Montego Bay Airport review by Jay Flanagan
2 March 2005
What a terrible experience? Waited for 3 1/2 hours with my pregnant wife and 2 year old child to
get through immigration upon arriving there 2/19/05. Rumor was there was a work slow down in
protest of the new owners of Air Jamaica (Jamaican Gov't) For a country that owes approx. 70% of
it's GDP to tourism, you'd think they would have a few intelligent people there to maintain
standards of quality for the visitors that spend several thousand dollars coming to the country. I
had a great stay, but a terrible experience coming AND going. Not sure if I'll ever go back.
Montego Bay Airport review by John
Rosser
5 January 2005
The MBJ I found in June 2004 was old,
tired and poorly staffed. What staff there were clearly were not motivated and did not give a damn
about the passengers. The facilities were overcrowded and poor or non existent signing did not
help The staff should be told that shouting louder at people who clearly do not understand English
is not good service and that mannerisms, teeth sucking, and rude comments can clearly be understood
as part of "the international language" Immigration was not much better. Not an awe inspiring
experience and best avoided.
Montego Bay Airport review by Brian Murray
21 July 2004
The Facilities are quite nice and beautiful. I am looking forward to the completion of the
new 12-gate concourse and the new terminal. However, I am hoping that the airport will become very
profitable and viable.
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