Terminal B

Security here often takes 5–10 minutes, even at 7 a.m.

Terminal B is the newer side of Monterrey (MTY), handling Viva Aerobus, Volaris, and Magnicharters flights from a single, modern concourse. Reviews on Yelp talk about “absolutely no line” at checkpoints during early departures, so locals tend to cut it closer than they would at Mexico City or Cancún. Still, build a 45‑minute buffer from curb to gate for domestic flights in case two Viva departures hit security at once.

Starbucks sits just past security on the main concourse

Once you clear screening in Terminal B, Starbucks is one of the first food options you see, and it usually opens for the early bank of flights around 5–6 a.m. Expect Mexico‑level Starbucks pricing, not US, but lines can stretch 15–20 minutes before 8 a.m. Regulars grab coffee and a sandwich here, then move toward their Viva or Volaris gate rather than counting on something better at smaller outstations like TAM or AGU.

Tequila Patron and Wings anchor the mid‑concourse sit‑down options

Tequila Patron and Wings both sit airside along Terminal B’s single pier, serving full meals and drinks for passengers waiting on domestic hops to places like Tijuana or Cancún. Figure on 200–350 MXN for a main dish and another 80–120 MXN for a beer. Wings handles generic burgers and pastas; Tequila Patron leans into tacos and tequila flights. If your boarding pass shows a quick 30‑minute turn, skip a table and grab something faster from Toks or Starbucks.

Cervecería Chapultepec and Toks cover the budget end

Cervecería Chapultepec runs constant promotions, with many items and drinks priced around 29–40 MXN, which works if you just want a beer and basic snacks before a Volaris flight. Toks offers sit‑down Mexican chain standards at midrange prices, roughly 150–250 MXN for breakfast plates or chilaquiles. Flyers on Reddit and SleepingInAirports mention grabbing a full meal here before late‑evening departures so they can skip buy‑on‑board menus once seated in economy.

Three lounges sit upstairs: Centurion, OMA, and Salon Premier

Terminal B houses the American Express Centurion Lounge, the OMA Premium Lounge, and the Aeroméxico‑branded Salon Premier, all after security on upper levels near the center of the concourse. Centurion usually enforces entry for Platinum and Centurion cardholders plus guests, with stays capped around 3 hours. OMA Premium sells day access, often in the 800–1,000 MXN range, giving you basic cold snacks, a small hot buffet, and Wi‑Fi. Don’t waste a Centurion visit on a 35‑minute connection; use OMA if you just need a seat, outlets, and coffee.

Duty Free and Sunglass Hut sit between gates and lounges

Duty Free in Terminal B focuses on liquor, perfume, and chocolate, and you walk past it on the way to several Viva Aerobus gates. Prices on tequila and mezcal can undercut city shops by 10–15%, but tobacco deals are hit or miss. A small Sunglass Hut carries Ray‑Ban, Oakley, and similar brands, while Cloe stocks handbags and accessories in the mid‑price range. If you want anything beyond those basics, buy it in Monterrey city before heading to the airport.

Seats fill fast and outlets are scarce along the pier

SleepingInAirports reviews call out limited charging points and hard seating across MTY, and that tracks in Terminal B as well. Standard metal benches line both sides of the pier, often fully taken during the 6–9 a.m. rush. Power outlets cluster near pillars and along the walls by gates serving larger Airbus departures, so count on one or two usable plugs per cluster of 10–15 seats. Bring a small power strip if you rely on a laptop for the whole 2‑ to 3‑hour hop to Mexico City or beyond.

What regulars do in Terminal B

Frequent MTY flyers on Yelp mention arriving 60–75 minutes before domestic departures on Viva or Volaris, banking on that typically light security in Terminal B instead of the 2‑hour cushion they’d use at bigger hubs. Many grab a real meal at Toks, Wings, or Cervecería Chapultepec as soon as they see an open table, instead of waiting for boarding calls at gates B3–B8, where options thin out. One practical move: charge your phone fully at home or in the city and carry a power bank, since hunting for live outlets in B can chew up 10–15 minutes.