Ft Lauderdale Airport: Size, Scale, And Capacity Insights

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, serving over 24 million passengers annually. It is ranked 21st in the United States and offers more than 700 daily flights to 135 destinations worldwide. The airport is classified as a major hub facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and serves as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale area. With ongoing and upcoming expansion projects, FLL is expected to continue growing and enhancing its facilities to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

Passenger and cargo traffic

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is ranked 19th in the US for total passenger traffic, serving over 36.7 million passengers in 2019, an increase of 2.2% from 2018. The airport offers more than 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations and serves as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas. It is also a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton.

FLL is a significant hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. In 2019, approximately 90,000 tons of cargo passed through the airport annually. The airport is easily accessible, located off Interstate 595, Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road A1A, and Florida State Road 5. It is also conveniently situated near the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach.

FLL offers nonstop service to over 125 cities in the US and other countries, including Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. Each day, over 73,000 travellers pass through its four terminals. The airport has an impressive range of destinations and a high volume of flights, with approximately 650 commercial flights per day on 30 airlines, in addition to around 100 private flights.

The airport has an extensive improvement program in place, with a $3.2 billion investment that includes terminal expansions, the addition of more than 30 new gates, and the construction of an elevated people-mover. These developments aim to enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall experience for travellers.

Terminals and connections

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major airport in Broward County, Florida, serving the Greater Miami area. The airport has a rectangular road system, with the four terminals situated on the outside and parking and ground transportation facilities on the inside. Terminals 3 and 4 are connected via a bridge, while Terminals 1 and 2 are independent from one another and the other two terminals. Terminal 1, also known as the "Yellow Terminal", is located at the east end of the airport and has 23 gates across 3 concourses: A, B, and C. It features modern facilities and a host of dining and shopping options. Terminal 2, also referred to as the "Red Terminal", has 9 gates in a single concourse, D. It is known for its friendly and helpful customer service desk and local food options. Terminal 3, situated at the far west end of the airport, consists of concourses E and F, with a total of 20 gates. It is also called the "Purple Terminal" and is the location of the passport and immigration control checkpoint. Terminal 4, the "Green Terminal", is at the southwestern end of the airport and has 11 gates across two concourses, G and H. It is the primary departure point for Spirit Airlines.

The airport offers a range of amenities and services to enhance the travel experience. These include free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals, charging stations, a business centre, lounges, a quiet room for meditation and prayer, and a customer service desk with information kiosks. There are also several retail stores, duty-free shops, and food options available.

In terms of transportation, the airport is connected to local bus routes, and a free shuttle service is offered between terminals and to the rental car centre. Tri-Rail trains connect Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach, operating every 20 minutes to an hour. The Fort Lauderdale Airport Station provides access to commuter trains serving the broader South Florida area.

Location and catchment area

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (IATA: FLL, ICAO: KFLL, FAA LID: FLL) is located in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport is located off Interstate 595, Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road A1A, and Florida State Road 5. It is bounded by the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach.

The airport is ranked 21st busiest in the United States, serving over 24 million passengers annually. It offers nonstop service to more than 125 U.S. cities and flights to Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. FLL is structured into four terminals, each offering a variety of amenities to enhance the travel experience. Terminal 1, known as the "New Terminal," features modern facilities and a host of dining and shopping options. Terminals 2, 3, and 4 also provide a selection of eateries ranging from quick snacks to full-service restaurants, catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs. The airport offers several services aimed at convenience and accessibility for all travellers.

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 easily accessible by various transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, rideshares, and public transportation. The Fort Lauderdale Airport Station provides access to commuter trains serving the broader South Florida area, including West Palm Beach and Miami.

As one of the major hub airports serving commercial traffic, FLL has a large catchment area covering both domestic and international destinations. It is an important gateway for budget airlines and has become an intercontinental hub since the late 1990s, although Miami International Airport still handles most long-haul flights in and out of South Florida.

History and ownership

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, also known as Fort Lauderdale Airport and historically as Merle Fogg Field and Broward County International Airport, is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport is ranked 21st in the United States and serves more than 24 million passengers annually, with over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.

The history of the airport dates back to the late 1920s when World War I aviator Merle Fogg purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course that had been destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane. Fogg purchased the land for $1,200 in 1928 and opened the airport as Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929, with two criss-cross unpaved runways. At the start of World War II, the airport 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 and became a main training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crew.

NAS Fort Lauderdale was the home base for Flight 19, the five TBM Avengers that disappeared in December 1945, contributing to the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. After World War II, the airport resumed its role as a commercial airport and has since expanded its facilities and flight offerings. Today, it is a major hub for commercial air traffic, serving as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale area and offering nonstop service to more than 125 destinations worldwide.

The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. As mentioned, it was originally named Merle Fogg Field after its founder, Merle Fogg. During World War II, it was renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale to reflect its military usage. After the war, it resumed its original name before being renamed again to Broward County International Airport. The airport eventually settled on the name Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, reflecting its location and role as a Hollywood gateway.

As for ownership, the airport is currently owned and operated by Broward County. It is governed by the Broward County Aviation Department, which is responsible for the airport's operations, maintenance, and development. The department works closely with airlines, tenants, and stakeholders to ensure the airport's efficient and effective operations.

Flight routes and destinations

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major public airport in Broward County, Florida, serving more than 24 million passengers annually (around 35 million, according to another source). It offers nonstop service to over 125 US cities and flights to Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. There are more than 325 daily departure and arrival flights, averaging 650 commercial flights per day on 30 airlines, as well as 100 private flights.

FLL is a less crowded alternative to Miami International Airport (MIA), which is a major international hub with many domestic and international destinations. FLL serves as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas, and as a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton.

Some of the destinations reachable from FLL include:

• London's Gatwick Airport
• Frankfurt
• Oslo
• Copenhagen
• Stockholm
• Tel Aviv

FLL is also ranked 21st in the United States.

Frequently asked questions