The airport wants you 3 hours before an international departure because you clear a landside search before check-in, then passport control, then a second X-ray before the duty-free plaza.

Royal Jordanian from Amman dies 45 minutes out (30 to Aqaba; 60 on codeshare). US/Canada RJ bags are A26–A32; online bag-drop is A1–A3. Be at the international gate 60 minutes before departure.

Departures sit above arrivals in a single Foster hall. North and south piers feed gates 21–24 and 202–228; Aqaba uses the domestic flow through Gate 5.

Royal Jordanian business and frequent flyers may enter via landside Gate 1. Same-ticket international connections stay airside via Transfer/Flight Connections — do not go down to passport control unless you are entering Jordan.

The useful food is the central airside plaza after the second security: 24-hour McDonald's, Starbucks on the North Pier, ElForon, Blue Fig, and Al Daya'a, plus Aldeasa duty-free.

Crown Lounge on Level 4 is the only live-cooking lounge (manakeesh/omelets 05:00–12:00; pasta/pizza 13:00–05:00). Plaza Premium is the quieter mezzanine alternative above the same duty-free island.

UK/US/EU ordinary passports still need a visa. Buy a 40 JOD single-entry sticker at the arrivals window or show a Jordan Pass; then join passport control. E-gates are for Jordanian citizens.

FCDO: the sticker is valid 3 months; passport needs 6 months; Jordan Pass (70–80 JOD, 3+ nights) waives the visa fee. Declare cash over JOD 10,000. Paid fast-track exists — price unpublished on the airport FAQ this pass.