Jamaica Advisory Stays Level 3, Adds Melissa Recovery

Published on Nov 3, 2025, 7:57 pm CST

5 min read

Key points

U.S. State Department kept Jamaica at Level 3 on November 3 and added post-Melissa recovery details
U.S. Embassy in Kingston has resumed normal operations as airports reopen with limited service
Airline waivers remain in effect while flights gradually resume at Montego Bay and Kingston
Resort reopenings are staggered, with some corridors targeting mid-December and others later
Travelers with near-term bookings should verify hotel status, gate availability, and waiver eligibility

Impact

Flights: Expect limited schedules and gate constraints at Montego Bay and Kingston, confirm flight status and terminals before travel
Waivers: Use active airline waivers to move dates or reroute without fees when eligible
Resorts: Check your specific property for reopening dates, some brands target mid December while others are paused longer
Documentation: Enroll in STEP and monitor the updated Level 3 advisory for operational changes
Planning: Build extra connection time, consider flexible fares, and confirm ground transport availability

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The U.S. State Department left Jamaica at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and on November 3 updated the advisory to reflect early recovery after Hurricane Melissa. The update confirms the U.S. Embassy in Kingston has resumed normal operations and notes that airports have reopened for commercial flights with limited service, a material shift for near-term trip planning. Travelers headed to Jamaica in November should pair the advisory language with airline waiver rules and the phased reopening timelines now emerging across major resort corridors.

State Department update, what changed

The Level 3 advisory level and risk indicators did not change, but the text now explicitly acknowledges post-storm conditions, including the embassy's return to normal services and the status of airports reopening with constraints. The advisory also flags that some communities and services remain limited and urges travelers to verify transport and destination readiness in advance.

Airports and flight operations

Jamaica's gateways are coming back online in increments. Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay reopened for limited commercial flights, with seven gates temporarily out of service for repairs, while Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) is handling relief and commercial activity with curtailed capacity. Expect evolving gate assignments, longer connection buffers, and occasional day-of schedule changes as infrastructure is restored.

Airlines are layering waivers and selective resumptions on top of these constraints. American Airlines announced initial resumptions into MBJ and ongoing Kingston service, while Delta and JetBlue issued Hurricane Melissa exception policies covering Kingston and Montego Bay within defined travel windows. United has a Jamaica recovery waiver for MBJ that spans the first week of November. Always read the carrier's current bulletin to confirm eligible dates, rebooking rules, and fare-difference waivers.

Resorts and corridors, what is reopening and when

Resort reopenings are phased and uneven across the north coast. Some properties in and around Montego Bay have published target dates or hold times for returns to service, while others are still assessing and, in several cases, have announced extended closures into 2026. Travelers should expect that select Rose Hall and Hip Strip properties will lag behind mid-December targets, even as other well-resourced resorts aim to welcome guests before the holidays. The government and tourism stakeholders continue to signal an islandwide push toward fuller tourism operations by mid-December, with caveats that smaller operators and heavily impacted parishes may take longer.

In practical terms, that means verifying your exact hotel's status, amenities, and neighborhood conditions before locking flights. If your resort is closed or partially operating, contact the brand for endorsed alternatives or date moves, use airline waivers to keep air costs neutral where possible, and confirm airport gate availability and ground transfer pickup points, which may be relocated during repairs.

Background: how advisories and waivers fit together

State Department advisories are risk assessments for U.S. citizens, separate from airline and hotel policies. A Level 3 advisory does not ban travel; it signals that plans deserve added caution and contingency. Carriers decide independently when to operate, and their exception policies define fee-free change windows, permitted reroutes, and ticket reissue rules. During recovery periods, reading both the advisory and the carrier bulletin helps you decide whether to travel as booked, move dates, or shift airports. If you do travel, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for embassy updates.

Latest developments

By November 3, the advisory's "natural disaster" language explicitly referenced the October 28 landfall and the mixed status of airports, with normal embassy operations restored. Meanwhile, MBJ's staged gate repairs and limited schedule, and KIN's ongoing relief and passenger activity, frame what November flyers will experience on the ground. International brands and tour operators continue to publish corridor-by-corridor updates as assessments mature; some properties are targeting mid-December, while others have paused well into 2026.

Analysis

If you hold near-term bookings, the most resilient plan is to verify three layers before travel, preferably 48-72 hours out. First, check your resort's operating date, room inventory, and on-property services, along with nearby dining, beaches, and attractions. Second, confirm your flight's status, aircraft type, and gate, and budget margin at MBJ and KIN because of temporary gate closures and work crews. Third, sort ground transport, since pickup zones or road access may be re-routed during debris removal. If your resort or flights shift, use the airline's Melissa waiver to change dates or reroute to the airport that best matches your confirmed hotel status. Finally, because the advisory remains at Level 3, consider supplemental travel insurance that covers trip interruption and medical evacuation, and enroll in STEP for push alerts.

For continuing context and traveler choices as corridors reopen through mid-November, see our earlier coverage, "Jamaica Resort Restarts, Rolling Through Mid-November," and pair that with updated airline bulletins before you commit to final dates.

Final thoughts

The November 3 update keeps the Jamaica travel advisory at Level 3 but adds meaningful recovery signals, from normal embassy hours to limited airport operations. For travelers, the decision point now hinges on specific resort and flight readiness, not just islandwide headlines. Build flexibility into plans, lean on waivers, and confirm every leg before departure as corridors come back online.