Fort Lauderdale Airport: A Guide To Checking In

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) offers real-time status updates on its website. These updates include information on general airport conditions, arrival and departure delays, and potential gate holds and taxi delays. To check the status of a specific flight, it is recommended to contact the relevant airline directly. Online flight trackers and travel tools are also available on websites such as FlightAware, FlightView, and FlightStats, which provide additional resources for monitoring flight and airport status.

Security wait times

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Broward County, Florida, is known for its extremely inefficient security checks. According to TimeOut, it is the slowest in the US, with a security wait time of 15 minutes and 27 seconds on average.

However, wait times vary depending on the day and time. A study by SOAX found that Wednesday is the busiest day for security checks, while Monday has the least traffic. The fastest security wait times occur at 2 am, taking just 34 seconds. The longest wait times occur at 5 am, ballooning to 24 minutes and 51 seconds.

To navigate the airport's security process more smoothly, you can utilise expedited screening programs such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus. TSA PreCheck allows members to go through security without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets. CLEAR Plus is an expedited security screening service that significantly reduces wait times by providing dedicated CLEAR lanes at security checkpoints in Terminals 1, 2, and 4.

To stay informed about real-time wait times and ensure your travel schedule remains on track, you can refer to online resources and flight trackers. Additionally, it is advisable to check for departure delays and keep in touch with your airline about wait times at the ticket counter, as these factors can impact your overall experience at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.

TSA PreCheck

At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, there are dedicated TSA PreCheck® lanes available for eligible travellers. These lanes are typically located at specific terminals and offer a quicker security screening process. To locate the TSA PreCheck® lanes at the airport, you can check the airport's website or the TSA's official website, which provides information on lane availability based on your airport, day of the week, and time of day.

To enrol in TSA PreCheck®, you can pre-enrol online through the CLEAR programme and complete your application at the airport. CLEAR is a membership programme that provides expedited security screening at select airports and stadiums. With CLEAR, you can access dedicated lanes for standard security and TSA PreCheck®-eligible travellers, further streamlining your security experience.

Once enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, you will receive a known traveller number and can then add your trusted traveller number to your flight reservations. This will ensure that your boarding pass indicates your TSA PreCheck® status, allowing you to use the designated lanes. It's important to note that TSA PreCheck® hours may vary and are subject to operational changes, and even with PreCheck®, unpredictable security measures may be implemented.

CLEAR Plus

Here's how it works: whenever you fly, simply scan your boarding pass, then verify your identity at a CLEAR Pod using your face, eyes, or fingerprints. After that, a CLEAR Ambassador will bring you to the front of the security line for your screening. Family members under 18 can join you in the CLEAR Lane for free, and you can add up to three adults to your account for $119 each.

At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, CLEAR Plus counters are located at the security checkpoints in Terminals 1, 2, and 4. The operating hours for CLEAR Plus vary by terminal, so be sure to check the hours for your specific terminal before your flight.

Lost and found

Losing your possessions can be stressful, and this is especially true when you're travelling. If you've lost something at Fort Lauderdale Airport, there are a few options available to you.

Items Lost on Board or in a Rental Car

If you've lost an item on an aircraft or in a rental car, you'll need to contact the airline or rental car company directly. The Lost and Found Office at the airport does not accept these items.

Items Lost in Other Areas of the Airport

If you've misplaced something in other areas of the airport, such as the shuttle buses, security checkpoints, or terminals, you can either fill out a lost item claim form or call the Lost and Found Office at +1-954-359-2247. The form can be found at https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Services/Pages/LFForm.HTML or https://LostandFoundReport.com/fortlauderdaleairport. Due to the high volume of calls, it's recommended that you fill out the form. If your lost item is turned into the Lost and Found Office, they will contact you.

Lost Checked Baggage

If your checked baggage is missing, go to the luggage/baggage services desk for your airline. This desk is usually located in the baggage claim area. Staff there can help you locate your bag or file a lost bag report.

Retrieving Found Items

Items that have been located can be picked up at the Lost and Found Office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must collect your item within 30 days of the date of loss; after this time, the item will be disposed of according to Florida Statutes. The Lost and Found Office is located in the Rental Car Center on Level 2, across from the Enterprise Rental Car counter next to the elevators.

Car parking

There are a variety of car parking options available at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The airport itself offers Short-Term, Long-Term, Valet, and Overflow parking. However, these options can be expensive, with Short-Term parking costing up to $36 per day, Long-Term parking at $15 per day, Valet parking at $25 per day, and Overflow parking at $10 per day.

There are also several off-site car parking options available, which tend to be more affordable. These include:

• Self Park FLL: This is an economy airport parking lot offering self-parking spaces. It has a paved, fenced, asphalt lot with 24-hour shuttle services, advanced bookings, and free cancellations.
• SpotHero: This service rounds up the best parking deals near the airport and helps you compare pricing and book reservations.
• Global Airport Parking: This company offers secure offsite parking options with free shuttles, large indoor parking spaces, and 24/7 video surveillance.
• On Air Parking: This company provides convenient airport parking with complimentary shuttle services.
• The Parking Spot: This company has partnered with Park N Go and Self Park FLL to offer reliable and affordable airport parking with regular shuttle services.

Frequently asked questions