(MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA) American Airlines resumed flights to Montego Bay on Saturday after Sangster International Airport reopened for limited commercial service in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, restoring a key air link as Jamaica’s western gateway moves from emergency repairs to early recovery. The carrier is operating one daily roundtrip between Miami and Montego Bay, with flight AA3154 scheduled to depart Miami at 1:20 PM and leave Montego Bay at 4:29 PM local time. This service provides a modest lifeline for residents, tourism workers, and stranded visitors trying to rebook disrupted travel.
Airport reopening and operational constraints
Airport authorities said the reopening on November 1, 2025 comes with constraints, as damage from the Category 5 storm left seven gates out of use and several facilities in need of repair. Sangster officials emphasized safety first:
“We are committed to ensuring that all systems are fully operational and meet the highest safety standards before resuming commercial operations.”
The early restart follows days of cancellations and diversions while crews assessed runways, jet bridges, and terminal infrastructure. Authorities urged patience as airlines phase in service.
Flights, aircraft and fares
Fares on the Miami–Montego Bay route have begun to stabilize after the initial storm disruption. As of November 4, 2025, roundtrip tickets from Miami were pricing around $316, according to schedules reviewed Tuesday.
- American’s Montego Bay departures are currently operated by a Boeing 737.
- Sample outbound pricing from Montego Bay to U.S. cities (limited inventory) includes:
- Chicago: USD 320
- Dallas: USD 509
- Baltimore: USD 378
These prices reflect constrained seat availability during the airport’s partial reopening.
Temporary fee waivers and traveler relief
To ease immediate travel costs, American Airlines is waiving baggage fees for flights to Montego Bay, Kingston, and Ocho Rios through November 9, 2025. The temporary relief is intended to help:
- Families returning home with supplies
- Visitors rebooking storm-delayed trips
VisaVerge.com reports that the fee waiver has become an important factor for travelers juggling last-minute changes while hotels and tour operators recalibrate operations across the north coast.
Immigration, entry processing and official guidance
The reopening at Sangster has ripple effects beyond tourism: many seasonal workers, students, and dual nationals rely on Montego Bay as their primary entry point. While immigration processing has resumed, officials cautioned that reduced gate capacity may create uneven arrival flows and longer lines at peak hours.
For up-to-date entry procedures and contact points, travelers can consult Jamaica’s official Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency at the following site:
– https://www.pica.gov.jm
Other carriers and network flexibility
In addition to Montego Bay’s limited return, American Airlines continues multiple daily flights to Kingston and Ocho Rios, with extra flights from Miami, Charlotte, and Fort Worth added when crews and equipment are available. Spirit and JetBlue have also restarted certain services into Jamaica, providing alternatives if Montego Bay seats sell out.
Airport managers stressed that schedules remain subject to change and urged customers to confirm departure times before heading to the terminal to avoid congestion.
Passenger experience and on-site services
On the ground, the travel experience is improving in steps. Club Mobay, the popular arrival and departure lounge at Sangster, said it has reopened with adjusted amenities while repairs continue. The lounge announced:
“We are open. We will get through this with true Jamaican spirit, stronger together. Our doors are open, and we can’t wait to welcome you.”
Even with fewer operating gates, lounge access can help spread passenger flows and reduce stress during delays.
Government response and recovery priorities
Government figures have framed the airport restart as part of a wider recovery effort for the tourism belt, where small businesses depend on steady visitor traffic. The Airports Authority of Jamaica and Delano Seiveright, Jamaica’s Minister of State for Industry, Investment and Commerce, confirmed that flights were resuming as infrastructure teams focused on the most urgent fixes first.
Their message to travelers: book seats, but stay flexible. Airlines may add capacity day by day as more gates and support systems return to service.
Operational adjustments for safety and capacity
For airline crews, returning to Montego Bay requires balancing speed and safety. Equipment checks and staffing have been adapted to post-storm conditions, and turnaround times may run longer than usual.
- American’s use of the Boeing 737 on AA3154 reflects the constraints of the current gate setup while maintaining sufficient seats.
- Published times—1:20 PM departure from Miami and 4:29 PM return from Montego Bay—have held steady through the first days of the restart.
Priority repairs include runway lighting, jet bridge inspections, and power redundancy. With seven gates still offline, planners are matching flight banks to ground capacity to reduce tarmac holds and keep immigration lines manageable.
Advice for travelers and travel agents’ perspective
Travel agents in Montego Bay said the fare picture is mixed. While the headline ~$316 roundtrip on Miami–Montego Bay is drawing attention, seat availability around holidays is tight. Promotional fares to Chicago, Dallas, and Baltimore (USD 320, 509, 378) may not last if demand rebounds quickly.
Key traveler reminders:
– Confirm flight status shortly before leaving for the airport.
– Carry required travel documents and have airline/hotel contact numbers handy.
– Expect possible shifts in check-in and security lanes during the day.
– Anticipate heavier road traffic near the terminal at peak times.
The baggage fee waiver through November 9, 2025 can save families meaningful amounts on checked bags filled with supplies and gifts.
Outlook: phased recovery and what to expect next
As the week unfolds, Montego Bay’s measured restart is likely to shape travel patterns across Jamaica. American Airlines’ daily Miami link serves as a bridge for:
- Medical appointments
- Business trips
- Family visits that can’t wait for full operations
Each additional gate restored at Sangster will help carriers add frequencies and restore onward connections, easing pressure on Kingston while keeping visitors flowing to the north-coast resorts.
For now, patience and preparation remain the watchwords as normal service edges closer.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines restarted one daily Miami–Montego Bay roundtrip (AA3154) after Sangster International Airport reopened November 1, 2025; the Boeing 737 departs Miami at 1:20 PM and returns at 4:29 PM. Damage from Hurricane Melissa left seven gates out of use, constraining capacity and causing limited seat inventory, with roundtrip fares around $316 as of November 4. American waived baggage fees to Montego Bay, Kingston, and Ocho Rios through November 9, 2025. Authorities stress safety, phased schedule restorations, and advise travelers to confirm flight times and expect longer lines.
