Is a 25 min layover in Montego Bay long enough?

MBJ · Sangster International · Montego Bay, Jamaica
Cutting It Close

No, 25 minutes is probably not enough for a layover at MBJ (Montego Bay).

Immigration and customs processing alone routinely exceeds 25 minutes for arriving international passengers.
Concourses
1
Max Transit
12m
Avg. Security
15m
Primary Hub
—
Domestic → Domestic
45min
✗
Domestic → International
60min
✗
International → Domestic
75min
✗
International → International
90min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Assume you will have to clear Jamaican immigration and customs even if you are just connecting to another flight, since MBJ has no sterile international transit zone.
Collect and recheck your checked baggage after customs unless your airline has explicitly confirmed a through-checked bag agreement.
Because it's a single small terminal, the walk itself is quick, so most of your time budget should go to immigration and customs lines, not distance.
Very few itineraries are sold with tight connections here — most travelers instead connect through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Kingston to reach a second Jamaican destination.
If you have a short layover, keep essential documents (passport, customs form) easily accessible, as processing can be slow during multiple simultaneous widebody arrivals.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
MBJ is a single-level, single-terminal building, so the physical walk between arrival gates, immigration, baggage claim, customs, and departure gates rarely takes more than 10-12 minutes. There is no train or shuttle because the terminal is small, but the process of clearing immigration and customs — required of nearly all arriving international passengers regardless of final destination — adds significant time beyond the walking distance itself.
Is 25 minutes enough for a layover at Sangster International (MBJ)?

Immigration and customs processing alone routinely exceeds 25 minutes for arriving international passengers.

What is the minimum connection time at MBJ?

Minimum connection times at Sangster International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 90 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 25 minutes connection at MBJ on an international flight?

25 minutes is below the 90-minute international MCT at Sangster International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. MBJ is a single-level, single-terminal building, so the physical walk between arrival gates, immigration, baggage claim, customs, and departure gates rarely takes more than 10-12 minutes. There is no train or shuttle because the terminal is small, but the process of clearing immigration and customs — required of nearly all arriving international passengers regardless of final destination — adds significant time beyond the walking distance itself.

How much time do I need for a layover at MBJ?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at Sangster International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 15 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 12 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at MBJ?

If you miss a connection, go directly to your airline's check-in or ticket counter in the main terminal, as MBJ has no dedicated transfer desk; rebooking options may be limited since most carriers operate only a few daily flights from Montego Bay.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER