Roberta Aguirre
Emirates Airlines, one of the world's leading airlines, previously operated flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). FLL, located in South Florida, served as a strategic gateway for Emirates due to its codeshare agreement with JetBlue and its central regional location. However, in 2021, Emirates discontinued its services to FLL, with the last flight taking off in 2018. This decision was influenced by factors such as low premium demand and competition from other airlines. Despite Emirates' departure, FLL remains a significant airport, undergoing renovations and expansion projects to enhance its facilities and capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Emirates Airline in FLL Airport | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |
| IATA code | FLL |
| First Transatlantic Voyage | 16 December 2016 |
| Route | Dubai to Fort Lauderdale |
| Aircraft | Boeing 777-200LR |
| Number of First Class Suites | 8 |
| Number of Business Class Lie-Flat Beds | 42 |
| Number of Economy Class Seats | 216 |
| Approximate Seat Load Factor in 2019 | 90% |
| Number of Destinations Served Across North America | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
- Emirates launched a flight to Dubai from FLL in 2016
- FLL is one of the few airports to charge fees to private pilots
- Emirates stopped flying to FLL due to low premium demand
- FLL is the IATA code for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- FLL's new Terminal 5 is expected to be completed by mid-2026
Emirates launched a flight to Dubai from FLL in 2016
Emirates Airlines launched a new daily service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Dubai in 2016. The airline operated a GE-powered US-built Boeing 777-200LR aircraft on this route, offering a three-class configuration with 8 first-class suites, 42 business-class lie-flat beds, and 216 economy-class seats. Emirates chose Fort Lauderdale over Miami due to its partnership with JetBlue, which has a hub in Fort Lauderdale, facilitating connections to and from Latin America.
The new route was Emirates' 11th passenger route in the United States and the first daily nonstop service to Dubai from South Florida. The addition of Fort Lauderdale as a destination reflected the airline's strategy to cater to both business and leisure travellers. Emirates' president, Tim Clark, highlighted the appeal of Fort Lauderdale and Miami as exciting destinations for business and leisure, while Broward County Mayor Marty Kiar emphasised the benefits of the nonstop service for travellers wishing to experience the attractions of the region, including its beaches and the Everglades.
The daily flights departed FLL at 8:20 p.m. and arrived in Dubai at 7:40 p.m. the following day. Emirates' Dubai-Fort Lauderdale service provided increased flexibility and convenience for travellers, with competitive pricing and direct flight options. The route also offered quick and convenient connections in Dubai for passengers travelling onwards to other destinations in the Middle East, GCC, Africa, South Asia, and the Far East.
However, in 2021, Emirates permanently discontinued its Dubai to Fort Lauderdale flight. The route had reportedly underperformed, with lower passenger volumes and lower premium demand compared to other routes. Despite initially reducing the frequency of flights, Emirates ultimately decided to pull out of Fort Lauderdale completely, making it the only US destination from which the airline withdrew its services entirely.
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FLL is one of the few airports to charge fees to private pilots
Emirates Airlines previously operated flights from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Dubai International Airport (DXB). However, it appears that they have stopped offering this route.
FLL is one of the few airports to consider charging fees to private pilots. Private pilots currently do not pay any fees to land their planes at FLL. However, airlines have long lobbied the airport to charge private pilots, as they do at Miami International Airport and many other airports. Charging private pilots would help the airport keep costs low for airlines, especially low-cost carriers. Private planes make up about 20% of traffic at FLL, and their presence contributes to longer delays.
While FLL has not started charging private pilots, they have stated that their per-passenger fees could increase, especially if they build a new runway for jets. Private pilots already pay some fees by renting hangar space from companies that lease hangars from the airport. FLL wants to ensure that any new fees would be fair, and a small plane that does not contribute much to runway wear and tear when it lands should not be charged the same fees as a larger plane.
Some have suggested that the airport could ease congestion by allowing all private planes to use the south runway, but community noise concerns have prevented this. The city-run Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport does not charge landing fees, but FLL could implement a flat fee per landing, similar to the $41.50 fee for planes under 15,000 pounds at Miami International Airport, or increase its existing 6-cent per-gallon tax on fuel.
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Emirates stopped flying to FLL due to low premium demand
Emirates began flying from Dubai to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in 2016, but ended the route in 2020. This was due to the route underperforming, with a low volume of passengers and lower-than-expected demand for premium seats.
Emirates' decision to launch flights to FLL, which is a key airport for its US partner JetBlue, was initially logical. Passengers could connect via FLL to various locations in Latin America and the US. However, it is estimated that only around 27,000 passengers were point-to-point (P2P) between FLL and Dubai, with a further 8,000 connecting over Fort Lauderdale to Dubai only, mainly with JetBlue.
Analysis of estimated fares in 2019 suggests that FLL underperformed, with a 20% lower one-way fare over Dubai and a 21% lower P2P fare, despite being 4% longer in distance than the carrier's US average. This reflected lower premium demand. A comparison with Orlando, which is only about 1% shorter in distance, is notable. Emirates achieved a 19% higher fare over Dubai, along with a 15% higher fare to the UAE hub.
While Emirates has stopped flying to FLL, it still serves 12 destinations across North America. The airline has also been reconfiguring its planes to meet the demand for premium seats. The post-pandemic travel rush has seen leisure passengers snap up expensive seats, and Emirates has been scaling back the economy section on some planes to make room for larger premium-economy cabins.
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FLL is the IATA code for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Emirates Airline previously operated flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which uses the IATA code FLL. The airline began flying the Dubai-Fort Lauderdale route in 2016, but it stopped serving this destination in 2020. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is located in Broward County, Florida, about 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami.
The airport code FLL was derived from the city of Fort Lauderdale, which is located near the airport. The airport was previously known as Merle Fogg Airport and was opened on an abandoned golf course in 1929. It served as a military base before commercial flights to Nassau began in 1953, and domestic flights commenced five years later.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a significant hub for several low-cost airlines, including Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue, which made the airport a focus city in 2003. The airport offers over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, serving as a primary airport for nearby areas such as Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton. It is also a secondary airport for parts of Miami and regions north of Boca Raton.
The airport has experienced various challenges, including damage from Hurricane Wilma in 2005, which forced a temporary closure, and severe flooding in April 2023, which led to a complete shutdown due to waterlogged tarmac and property. Despite these setbacks, the airport continues to expand, with construction on Terminal 5 beginning in October 2023 and expected to be completed by mid-2026.
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FLL's new Terminal 5 is expected to be completed by mid-2026
The new terminal will be located on the east side of Terminal 4 (concourse G) and will connect with the existing on-site parking garage at Cypress and Terminal 4 via multilevel walkways or pedestrian bridges. It will cover a total area of approximately 230,000 square feet, with a five-gate domestic terminal covering 180,000 square feet. The terminal will be a two-storey structure, with passenger facilities and hold rooms on the ground floor. The lower ramp level, informally referred to as the Avis Lot, will house support areas, concessions storage, and airline operations functions.
The terminal will include areas for check-in and ticketing, arrival and departure baggage handling, security checkpoints, and concessions for food and drinks. It will also incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant features and facilities, ensuring accessibility for all users. The design of Terminal 5 targets sustainability and is being developed by Gensler and Bermello Ajamil & Partners, with programme management services provided by Parsons.
The construction of Terminal 5 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a significant development that will enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall travel experience for passengers. With its completion expected by mid-2026, the terminal will play a crucial role in accommodating the growing aviation demand in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Emirates Airlines operates from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Emirates Airline launched its Dubai to Fort Lauderdale route on December 15, 2016.
Emirates chose FLL Airport due to its partnership with JetBlue, which has a significant presence at the South Florida airport.
For domestic flights, passengers are recommended to arrive at the FLL Airport terminal at least one hour before departure. For international flights, many airlines advise checking in at least three hours in advance.
Emirates' flights from FLL Airport offer lie-flat beds in business class, gourmet food, and 2,500 channels of in-flight entertainment. The airline's Boeing 777-200LR planes also provide eight first-class suites and 216 economy-class seats.
