South Florida's Air Travel: Airports And Accessibility

South Florida is a popular corporate travel destination with three major airports: Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). These airports serve millions of leisure and business travellers from across the United States and the world.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA offers non-stop destinations to cities throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. In 2024, the airport served nearly 56 million passengers and saw 3 million tons of cargo pass through, recording three consecutive record years for passenger volume and five straight years of cargo volume.

The history of MIA dates back to 1928 when Pan American Airways acquired 116 acres of land on NW 36th Street to build a privately owned and operated international airport. The airport was officially dedicated on January 4, 1950, and has since undergone numerous expansions and improvements, including the addition of new concourses and pedestrian bridges.

MIA provides a range of amenities and services to support different types of travellers, including shopping destinations, dining options, and lounges. It is known for its user-friendliness, with short lines and easy navigation. MIA is ideal for those travelling to West Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, or the Northern part of the Gold Coast.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the second busiest of the Miami metropolitan area's commercial airports. With over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, it has become an intercontinental gateway since the late 1990s. The airport 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 history of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport dates back to 1946 when NAS Fort Lauderdale closed and was transferred to county control, becoming Broward County International Airport. Commercial flights to Nassau began in 1953, and domestic flights started in 1958–1959 with nonstop flights to New York and Washington. In 1959, the airport opened its first permanent terminal building and assumed its current name. Over the years, the airport has expanded its nonstop flights to various destinations across the United States.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has experienced several notable incidents. In 1972, an Eastern Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 had its landing gear collapse during landing, but all passengers and crew safely evacuated. In 1979, a Lockheed Ventura aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff due to engine failure, resulting in two fatalities. In 1983, Air Florida Flight 8 departed from the airport, en route to Tampa International Airport. Additionally, the airport has faced disruptions due to severe weather, such as historic flooding in April 2023, which caused a temporary closure due to rainwater flooding on the tarmac and airport property.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Palm Beach International Airport has been ranked highly by travellers; in 2024, it was voted the third-best domestic airport in the US by readers of Travel+Leisure. The ranking was based on access, check-in, restaurants, shopping, and design. The airport is currently undergoing several multi-million dollar projects to modernize the airport and improve the passenger experience, including the expansion of Concourse B.

The airport is located near the West Palm Beach Brightline Station, served by Brightline, and the West Palm Beach Amtrak/Tri-Rail station, served by Amtrak intercity trains and Tri-Rail commuter trains. A Palm Tran shuttle bus service connects the West Palm Beach Amtrak/Tri-Rail station to the airport. Customs and Immigration services for international flights are located on the lower level of the west side of the terminal and can be accessed through gates on Concourses A and B. A future Concourse D is proposed to be constructed off the east side of the terminal.

Palm Beach International Airport has a history of serving the Air Force One aircraft. It was a frequent visitor during John F. Kennedy's presidency and again after the election of Donald Trump in 2016, due to his nearby Mar-a-Lago estate.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

TPA has an impressive range of international and domestic flights, serving 100 non-stop destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. It also offers regular charters to Cuba, with flights to Havana, Santa Clara, Camagüey, and Holguín. In 2016, TPA handled approximately 29.2 million passengers, making it the 21st busiest airport in the USA by passenger movement. The airport has consistently received high customer satisfaction ratings over the years, with various organizations ranking it highly in different categories.

The airport's unique Landside/Airside terminal design has been groundbreaking, with Tampa International being the first airport in the world to deploy a fully automated, driver-free people mover system. The central Landside Terminal handles baggage and ticketing, while four Airside satellites (A, C, E, and F) are where passengers embark and disembark. Each Airside has 14-16 gates, a food court, a gift shop, and outdoor smoking patios. The APM system that connects the Landside Terminal to the Airsides is currently being upgraded to Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B.

Tampa International Airport has a rich history in aviation. The Tampa Bay area is the birthplace of commercial airline service, with the inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line taking place in 1914—the first scheduled commercial flight in the world using a heavier-than-air airplane. The 1952 terminal became congested as larger jets replaced piston airliners, and the current Landside/Airside design was chosen in 1965. Expansion has continued, with a new Airside D planned to open in 2028, which will further increase the airport's capacity and enhance its offering.

Orlando International Airport

The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The airport gained its current name and international airport status a year later in 1976 but retained its old IATA airport code MCO and ICAO airport code KMCO. In 1978, the airport handled 5 million passengers, a number that rose to 44.6 million in 2017 and 47 million in 2018, making it the seventh busiest airport in the United States. Orlando International Airport covers 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi), making it the fifth-largest airport in the country by land area. The airport has North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet.

In February 2010, Allegiant Air began operations at the airport, moving half of its schedule from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) to test revenue at MCO. However, they later returned their operations to SBF, citing higher costs and passenger preference for the other airport. In March 2015, Orlando International Airport secured a significant victory by attracting Emirates to begin daily service to the airport from Dubai International Airport, becoming the first airport in Florida served by Emirates. This move was expected to bring up to $100 million in annual economic impact to the region. The airport also launched its own radio station, FlyMCO 105.1 HD2, in May 2016, providing travellers with access to airport information, local weather, and music.

Frequently asked questions