Fort Lauderdale's Airport: Does It Exist?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is served by the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, also known as Fort Lauderdale Airport. It is located roughly 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles from Miami. The airport is a major gateway for domestic and international flights, serving 83 domestic and 46 international destinations. It is the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Fort Lauderdale does have an airport, in fact, it has two. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida. It is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport is classified as a "major hub" facility serving commercial air traffic by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, the airport has become an intercontinental gateway since the late 1990s.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to World War I aviator Merle Fogg who purchased the land for the airport in 1928. It officially opened as Merle Fogg Field in May 1929, with two criss-cross unpaved runways. During World War II, it was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The base was used for refitting civil airliners for military service before they were deployed across the Atlantic. After the war, it became a commercial airport, offering flights to Nassau and domestic destinations. Today, it is the second busiest of the Miami metropolitan area's commercial airports.

The airport covers 1,380 acres (558 ha) and has two runways. In December 2022, there were 100 aircraft based at this airport. The airport operates four terminals with 66 gates, with another terminal under construction as of 2024. Terminal 1, previously known as the Yellow Terminal, contains Concourses A, B & C and 23 gates. It is the most frequently used terminal by Southwest Airlines. Terminal 2, previously the Red Terminal, contains Concourse D and 9 gates. Air Canada and Delta Air Lines operate at this terminal. Terminal 3, previously the Purple Terminal, contains Concourses E & F with 20 gates and serves as the JetBlue operating base. Terminal 4, the former Green Terminal, contains Concourse G with 14 gates and functions as the Spirit operating base.

The airport offers a variety of ground transportation options, including shuttle bus services, ride-sharing, airport parking, and a consolidated rental car facility. It is accessible by major roads such as U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road 818, Interstate 95, and Interstate 595.

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

The airport was originally constructed in 1941 to train Naval Aviators during World War II and was initially named the West Prospect Satellite Field. In 1947, the federal government transferred ownership of the airport to Fort Lauderdale, and it has since been used as a public airport.

In the 12-month period ending December 31, 2017, the airport recorded 179,023 aircraft operations, averaging 490 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (94%), followed by air taxi (6%), and a small percentage of military flights (<1%). There are approximately 909 aircraft based at this airport, with a mix of single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter configurations.

The airport also has a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility and is designated as a Landing Rights Airport. Additionally, it operates a 24/7 ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) facility that meets the requirements of Index B. The ARFF services are provided by the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue team.

Airport facilities and services

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, located in Broward County, Florida, offers a range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers. The airport consists of four terminals (T1, T2, T3, and T4) with 66 gates, and another terminal, T5, is currently under construction with an expected completion date of mid-2026. Each terminal features multiple concourses and gates, providing easy access to various destinations.

Terminal 1, previously known as the Yellow Terminal, has 23 gates across three concourses (A, B, and C). Concourse A primarily serves international travellers, while Southwest Airlines frequently utilises Concourse B. Terminal 2, also known as the Red Terminal, has 9 gates in Concourse D. Air Canada and Delta Air Lines operate from this terminal, and it is currently undergoing modernisation to enhance the check-in and security screening areas. Terminal 3, the former Purple Terminal, has 20 gates across Concourses E and F. It serves as the operating base for JetBlue. Terminal 4, the International Terminal or Green Terminal, has 14 gates in Concourse G and functions as the base for Spirit Airlines. This terminal is also undergoing expansion to improve customs and border protection facilities.

The airport provides a variety of dining and shopping options, including restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops. Additional services such as shoe shine, ATMs, currency exchange, and luggage carts are available for passenger convenience. Ground transportation options include bus services, taxi services, private transfers, and car rentals. The airport also offers parking facilities and a consolidated rental car centre with a free shuttle service.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is easily accessible via various transportation modes. It is located near train stations served by Tri-Rail commuter trains and Brightline, which provide shuttle services to the airport. The terminals can be reached via major roads such as U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road 818, Interstate 95, and Interstate 595. Additionally, ride-sharing services offer designated pickup and drop-off locations between the terminals.

Transport to and from the airport

Fort Lauderdale does have an airport—the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Located in Broward County, Florida, the airport is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami.

The Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport offers a range of transport options for travellers to and from the airport. Here are some of the options available:

• Shuttle Services: GO Airport Shuttle is the official airport transportation provider for FLL and offers shared ride and private car services throughout South Florida. They provide transfers between the airport and surrounding areas, convention centres, cruise ports, local parks, and tourist attractions.
• Public Transport: The airport is served by Broward County Transit bus Route 1, which connects to the Broward Central Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale and offers service to Aventura Mall in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, the airport is accessible via Tri-Rail commuter trains and Brightline, which provide shuttle bus services to and from the airport.
• Ride-sharing: Ride-sharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are available and can be used for transport to and from the airport. Designated pickup and drop-off locations can be found between Terminals 1 & 2 and Terminals 3 & 4.
• Rental Cars: The airport has a consolidated rental car facility that can be accessed directly from Terminal 1 and from the other terminals via a free shuttle bus service.
• Taxis: Traditional taxi services are also available at the airport for transport to and from the Fort Lauderdale area.
• Private Car Services: In addition to shared rides, private executive car services are available for transport to and from the airport. These services can be booked in advance and offer a more luxurious and personalised experience.

Airport parking

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) does have parking available. As you approach the airport, stay left on the entrance loop to Terminal Drive and use the second lane from the left to access parking. There are over 12,000 spaces for hourly and daily onsite parking at FLL's multi-level parking complex. These areas are well-lit and guarded by security patrols. The Hibiscus and Palm garages offer hourly and daily parking, and valet curbside parking is also available outside of the terminals. The rates for parking include tax and are as follows:

• $7.50 per day (flat rate)
• $3 per hour, with a maximum of $15 per day
• $3 per hour, with a maximum of $36 per day
• $25 per day for valet parking

There is also an off-site parking lot called Self Park FLL, which offers outdoor self-parking and indoor valet parking. Self Park FLL provides a 24-hour complimentary shuttle service, a smooth check-in and check-out process, a paved, well-lit, and fenced parking lot, a clean and comfortable waiting area, and friendly customer service. They also have a generous loyalty rewards program.

Frequently asked questions