Fort Lauderdale Airport: A Sprawling Transport Hub

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is located in the heart of the Gold Coast and Greater Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. Covering 1,380 acres, it is the 16th largest airport in the state. The airport is a major hub, serving more than 24 million passengers annually, with over 700 daily flights to 135 destinations. FLL is ranked 21st in the United States and was the fastest-growing large hub airport in the country in 2018.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport's size

The Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is situated roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport spans an area of 1,380 acres (558 hectares) and features two runways.

As of 2018, FLL was ranked as one of the fastest-growing large hub airports in the US, serving over 24 million passengers annually. It is the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area and provides access to a catchment area of over 6 million people. With its strategic location, FLL has become an intercontinental gateway, offering over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.

The airport operates four terminals with 66 gates, with another terminal, Terminal 5, currently under construction and expected to be completed by mid-2026. Terminal 1, previously known as the Yellow Terminal, contains Concourses A, B, and C, offering 23 gates. Terminal 2, or the Red Terminal, has Concourse D with 9 gates. Terminal 3, previously the Purple Terminal, consists of Concourses E and F and provides 20 gates. Terminal 4, formerly the Green Terminal, has Concourse G with 14 gates.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is a significant transportation hub, providing access to various ground transportation options. It is connected to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport at Dania Beach train station, served by Tri-Rail commuter trains, and the Fort Lauderdale station, which services Brightline. Shuttle bus services are provided by both Tri-Rail and Brightline to three locations within the airport. Additionally, the airport is accessible via major roads, including U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road 818, Interstate 95, and Interstate 595.

Passenger numbers

Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, is a major hub airport serving commercial traffic. It is located in Broward County, Florida, 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami.

The airport has four terminals and served almost 35.1 million passengers in 2023, making it the 21st busiest airport in the United States. It is an alternative to Miami International Airport, located just 30 miles away.

In 2018, Fort Lauderdale Airport was the fastest-growing large hub airport in the US and ranked 18th in terms of total passengers. It has more domestic passenger traffic than Miami International Airport and Palm Beach.

The airport offers over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations. It serves as a primary airport for Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton, and as a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton.

The top ten busiest routes include Atlanta, Newark, Nassau, New York-La Guardia, Toronto, Baltimore, Port-au-Prince, New York-JFK, Montego Bay, and Charlotte.

Fort Lauderdale Airport has been expanding and modernising its facilities to accommodate the growing passenger numbers. Terminal 5 is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The airport's catchment area

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is located in the heart of the Gold Coast and Greater Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. The airport is situated 21 miles north of Miami International Airport and 42 miles south of Palm Beach International Airport. This strategic location provides a catchment area of over 6 million people. The population is affluent and leads the state in travel expenditures.

The airport is located 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. It is categorized as a “major hub” airport that serves commercial traffic by the US Federal Aviation Administration. FLL is the 21st busiest airport in the United States, serving more than 24 million passengers annually. During 2023, FLL Airport registered a total of 35,115,485 passengers.

FLL serves as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas. It also serves as a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton. The airport is a base for Allegiant Air, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines. It is also the primary South Florida airport for Southwest Airlines.

With over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, the airport has become an intercontinental gateway. It offers nonstop service to more than 125 US cities and flights to Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. FLL averages 650 commercial flights per day on 30 airlines, in addition to 100 private flights. Each day, over 73,000 travellers pass through the four terminals at the airport.

Its ranking in the US

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is ranked 21st in the United States and serves more than 24 million passengers annually. The airport is classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a "major hub" facility serving commercial air traffic.

The airport is the second busiest of the Miami metropolitan area's commercial airports. It is a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas, and a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton. It is also the primary South Florida airport for Southwest Airlines.

The airport covers 1,380 acres (558 ha) and has two runways. In December 2022, there were 100 aircraft based at the airport. It operates four terminals with 66 gates, with another terminal under construction as of 2024.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport offers nonstop service to more than 125 U.S. cities and flights to Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. It averages 650 commercial flights per day on 30 airlines, in addition to 100 private flights. Each day, over 73,000 travelers pass through the four terminals at the airport.

The airport's history

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, also known historically as Merle Fogg Field, has played a significant role in the aviation history of the United States. Here is a detailed account of the airport's rich history:

The Early Years:

The story of the airport began in 1928 when World War I aviator Merle Fogg purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course that had been destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane. Fogg's vision for the site was to establish an airfield, and on May 1, 1929, the airport officially opened as Merle Fogg Field. It featured two criss-cross unpaved runways and was mainly used for small planes.

World War II and Naval Air Station:

As World War II loomed, the airport took on a new purpose. In 1942, the United States Navy commissioned the airfield, renaming it Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The Navy paved the runways, constructed additional infrastructure, and built a control tower, transforming the site into a vital training facility for naval aviators and aircrewmen. It also served as a base for refitting civil airliners for military service before they were deployed across the Atlantic. NAS Fort Lauderdale gained notoriety due to the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19, a squadron of five TBM Avengers, in December 1945, which contributed to the legends surrounding the Bermuda Triangle.

Post-War Transition:

With the end of World War II, the naval air station closed in October 1946 and was transferred to Broward County, becoming Broward County International Airport. The airport transitioned to civilian use, and on June 2, 1953, it inaugurated scheduled airline operations with Mackey Airlines offering flights to the Bahamas.

Expansion and Growth:

In March 1959, Broward County opened its first permanent passenger terminal, a low-rise, rectangular structure with a control tower. This terminal accommodated five carriers and offered various amenities, including a gift shop, newsstand, lounge, and restaurant. By the late 1960s, the airport was handling about one million passengers annually, and expansions were underway to manage the growing traffic. Two ramp-level concourses with 19 gates were constructed during this period.

The 1970s and Beyond:

The 1970s saw further developments, with Northwest and United Airlines joining the roster of carriers serving the airport. The introduction of wide-body aircraft, such as the Lockheed L-1011 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10, marked a new era in the airport's history. By the early 1980s, the terminal facilities were congested, and deregulation brought even more airlines to FLL, including Air Florida, American, and Pan American. This led to the planning and eventual construction of the Project 80s Terminals, a series of modern unit terminals, including the Palm Garage and Terminal 4, which opened in 1983.

Low-Cost Carrier Era:

The late 1990s and early 2000s witnessed a significant shift with the emergence of low-cost carriers. Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue Airways established a strong presence at FLL, making it their base or focus city. This transformed the airport into an intercontinental gateway, offering over 700 daily flights to domestic and international destinations.

Recent Developments:

In recent years, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport has continued to expand and modernize. The construction of new terminals, parking garages, and infrastructure improvements have been ongoing. Despite challenges, such as hurricanes and security incidents, the airport remains a vital transportation hub, serving over 24 million passengers annually and ranking 21st in the United States.

Frequently asked questions