Flying to Jamaica

General Information

Jamaica has around ten airports, two of which—Kingston and Montego Bay—serve international flights. Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston primarily handles scheduled flights, while Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay specializes in charters and seasonal flights, reflecting the city’s beach-resort focus. In total, the island has several dozen routes, mainly to North America and the Caribbean, with the UK and Germany as the main European connections.

Types of Flights

Local Airlines

Fly Jamaica Airways, with its two or three international routes, and Skylan Airways, with its charters and Kingston-Montego Bay shuttle, are the main local carriers based in the capital. You can also add the air taxis of TimAir and the charters of Air Link, based in Montego Bay, which only operate domestically.

As for the former national airline, Air Jamaica, it ceased operations after being taken over by Caribbean Airlines in 2010. Though Caribbean Airlines is based in Trinidad and Tobago, it has kept one of its hubs in Kingston and effectively serves as Jamaica’s "replacement national carrier."

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

While Kingston receives a fair share of scheduled flights, Montego Bay is heavily served by charters and/or seasonal connections, bringing in European and especially North American tourists to the island’s beach resorts.

Deals and Special Offers

From France

Only Montego Bay is served by seasonal XL Airways flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. There are no direct flights from other French regions or even from the French West Indies. Round-trip prices from France range from 700 to 950 €.

Direct or Connecting Flights

Since direct flights from France are rare, most options involve connections via the United States or European hubs like the UK, Germany, and especially Belgium—Brussels (Jetrairfly flights) is generally the most convenient and cost-effective option for French travelers. Flights via the US, however, are rarely worth it due to minimal price savings, longer routes, and the hassle of US transit requirements.

In general, Montego Bay is financially more attractive than Kingston for flights from France, even though search tools often prioritize Kingston. It’s best to check airline or tour operator websites directly.

From the Rest of Europe

Belgium and Switzerland

There are no flights from Switzerland. However, JetairFly operates scheduled flights from Brussels to Montego Bay.

Other Countries

Germany: Air Berlin and Condor flights to Montego Bay from Frankfurt and a few other cities.

UK: Logically, the UK has the best connections, with flights from London to Montego Bay (Thomson Airways + Virgin) and Kingston (British Airways). Around half a dozen other British cities also have direct flights to Montego Bay.

Other countries: Direct flights to Montego Bay from Amsterdam, Milan, and Scandinavia.

From the Americas

Canada

Montreal: Montego Bay (Air Canada + Air Transat + Sunwing + WestJet).

Quebec City: Montego Bay (Air Transat + Sunwing).

Toronto: Kingston (Air Canada + Fly Jamaica + WestJet), Montego Bay (Air Canada + Air Transat + Sunwing + WestJet).

Ottawa, Halifax, and around ten other Canadian cities also have direct (mostly seasonal) flights to Montego Bay (Air Canada, Air Transat, etc.).

United States

Around fifteen US cities on the East Coast and in the Midwest have flights to Montego Bay and, to a lesser extent, Kingston.

Caribbean

Antigua: Kingston (Caribbean Airlines).

Barbados: Kingston (Caribbean Airlines).

Bahamas/Nassau: Kingston and Montego Bay (Caribbean Airlines).

Cayman Islands: Kingston and Montego Bay (Cayman Airways).

Curaçao: Kingston (Insel Air).

Haiti: Kingston and Montego Bay (Sunrise).

Sint Maarten: Kingston (Caribbean Airlines).

Trinidad and Tobago: Kingston (Caribbean Airlines).

Turks & Caicos: Kingston (InterCaribbean Airways).

Dominican Republic/Santo Domingo: Kingston (InterCaribbean Airways).

Latin America

Guyana: Kingston (Fly Jamaica).

Panama: Kingston and Montego Bay (Copa).