About Miami International Airport
Table of Contents
Miami international airport is a public airport located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County owned by the Miami-Dade County and operated by Miami Dade aviation Department serving Miami area Florida, the United States with over 1000 daily flights and 167 destinations both domestic and international.
The Miami International codes are as follows; IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA, FAA LID: MIA. This airport is the largest gateway between the United States and south to Latin America and one of the largest airline hubs in the United States. Here is their website.
In 2018 there were a number of 45,044,312 passengers who traveled through the airport making it the third busiest airport in the United States.
The first airport was opened in 1920 and was known as Miami City Airport. In 1928 Pan American Field was built on 116 acres of land on the site of MIA. Following World War II, the city of Miami established a port authority and raised bond revenue to purchase Pan American Field which had been renamed 36th Street Airport.
With the coming to seat of the presidency by Apollo 8 astronaut Frank Bormann, he moved Eastern headquarters from Rockefeller Center in New York to building 16 in the northeastern corner of MIA in 1975. With this, it made the MIA a great employer to many with the growth of its travelers’ numbers day by day.
MIA is projected to handle over 77 million passengers and 4 million tons of freight annually by 2040 which will then call for greater expansions in the airport. This is therefore handled by the move by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners through the allocation of a $5 billion improvement plan to take place over 15 years and possibly conclude by 2035. The plan factors in the concourse optimization, construction of two on-site luxury hotels, and the expansion of the airport cargo capacity.
The MIA covers 1,335 hectares of land where its largest cargo complex is located on the west side of the airport, inside the triangle formed by runways 12/30 and 9/27. The largest privately-owned facility is the Centurion Cargo complex which is located in the northeast corner of the airport.
The MIA has a total of 131 gates. The main terminal dates back to 1959 with several new additions. This terminal hosts concourse D where concourse A is part of concourse D and Concourse D has 5 pier-shaped concourses named from E to J. Concourses B and C were demolished so that concourse D gates could be added in their places.
Level 1 terminal contains baggage carousel and ground transportation access, Level 2 contains check-in, shopping and dining and access to the concourses. The airport currently has 3 immigration and customs facilities located in concourse D, level 3, concourse E, level 3, and concourse J, level 3.
MIA is unique in a way that all its facilities are commonly used in that there is no airline that can claim ownership or lease of any facility. This gives the airport much flexibility in gates and terminal assignments and makes full of the existing facilities.
There is a free MIA mover that connects the airport with the Miami Intermodal Center where the car rental facility and bus terminals are currently located.
Parking in Miami International Airport
The MIA also provides parking services to its travelers. There are four parking lots, a two-level short term parking lot directly in front of concourse E, two seven-story parking garages, Dolphin and Flamingo, located within the terminal’s curvature and connected to the terminal via overhead walkways on level 3 and a surface parking lot, the South Parking Lot east of the Flamingo garage. These two parking garages, the Flamingo garage, and Dolphin garage are connected via a bridge at the top level.
Miami International Airport Ground Transportation
Miami International airport has played a big role in ensuring there is a direct transportation service between the airport and different destinations from the airport, the airport has a direct public transit service to Miami-Dade Transits Metrorail and Metrobus network which include the Greyhound Bus Lines and the Tri-rail commuter system.
The MIA also has the advantage of the free transit by the MIA mover which offers free transfer of travelers between MIA terminals and the Miami station that opened to the public on September 9th, 2015.
On the 28th of July, 2012 the Miami Airport station and the Metrorail Orange Line opened over two miles’ segment between Earlington heights and the Miami International Center, this provided a rapid passenger rail service to the travelers from Miami Airport to Downtown which now takes approximately 15 minutes to get to.
The Miami-Dade Transit operates an Airport Flyer bus that connects MIA to South Beach. MIA is also served directly by the Tri-trail, Miami’s commuters rail system which was operational from the 5th of April, 2015. This rail connects MIA to the northern Miami-Dade.
There are also taxis and shuttle buses that provide flat-rate transportation services to destinations within Miami.
The MIA has a great range of rental cars at the newly completed Rental car center located at the new Miami Central station.
Arrivals at Miami International Airport
For domestic arrivals or from Canada or the Bahamas, one will need to walk down the concourse to the main terminal on the 2nd level and must take the elevator or escalator to 1st level to baggage claim, the ground transportation is readily available outside the terminal on the 1st level, one can use the Skyride on the 3rd level to connect between terminals, the parking garages and the MIA mover station.
For international arrivals, except for passengers arriving from Canada or the Bahamas, the arriving passengers will proceed to US customs and border protection passport control. After clearing passport control the passenger will head to collect baggage and clear US customs where the passenger may re-check baggage if they are having a connecting flight.
There are also automated methods of entering the United States which include automated passport control where one uses a self-service kiosk to submit their customs declaration form and biographic information. One can also use the Mobile Passport Application where they use their smartphones to submit their passport and customs declaration information instead of the traditional paper form. This app is free to download and free to use.
Departure at Miami International Airport
Before a passenger gets to the airport on their day of travel they need to make a call first to confirm their flight and departure time, concourse and the gate.
Miami Airport Lost and Found Service
MIA lost and found the facility is located in North terminal D level 4 and is open 7days a week from 8 am to 6 pm. In case of a lost item or baggage, the passenger needs to report online by filling out the lost item claim form and if the item was stolen one might have to file a stolen property report with the Miami-Dade Airport Police. All items found in any part of the airport which is lost or misplaced are stored securely for 30 days in the lost and found facility.
For items lost or left on board, one needs to contact the airline they used to travel.
There are specially designated areas for smoking at the airport located in both arrival and departure levels across the street from north Terminal D, central terminal E and south terminal H and J. There is a Lounge called TGI Fridays smoking lounge near gate D-36 where one can also smoke from.
There are no smoking areas past the security checkpoints therefore if one has to smoke they have to make use of the available areas provided.
Miami International Airport Terminals and Gates
| Terminals | Gates | Airlines |
| North Terminal Blue | Concourse D, Gate D1-D60, with 45 boarding gates | American Airline and American Eagle |
| Central Terminal Yellow | Concourse E, F and G, with 52 boarding gates, E2-E11, E20-E20, E30, E31, E33, F1-F23, G2-G19 | American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Interjet, Qatar, Aeroloft, Aer Lingus, Air Europa, Air Italy, Avior Airlines, BOA, Cayman Airways, Eurowing, Finnair, Flair Air, Miami Air, sunwing, Suriname Airways, Swift Air, TAP, TUIfly, Volaris, Westjet, World Atlantic, XL Airways France, Aruba Airlines, Bahamasair, Eastern Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country, United Airlines. |
| South Terminal Red | Concourse H and J, with 28 boarding gates, H3-H17, J2-J18 | Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, GOL, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Carribean Airlines, COPA Airlines, El Al, LATAM, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss International, Vigin Atlantic, VivaAir. |
Miami International Airport Levels
The terminals at the Miami International Airport consist of three levels which are 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels. The first level holds the arrival and baggage claim consolidations. At this level, there is the ground transportation access to and from downtown.
The second level deals with departures, check-in, and ticketing. Valet parking, hotel shuttle, and the economy park and shuttle ride are located at this level.
The third level contains rental car center and parking garages are also located at this level which is the Flamingo and Dolphin. The MIA mover is also located here.
Miami International Airport Map and Pictures
Miami International Airport Webcam
MIA has a 24-hour live streaming HD-quality Internet video on the webcam. One can watch live aircraft arrivals and departures and listen to live traffic radio.
The alternate Cam 1 shows the views of runways panning and manual controls while the Javacam cam 2 shows the views of the west at easterly Departure and westerly arrivals.
Miami International Airport Services
| Services | Details |
| Animal relief areas | There are indoor and outdoor animal relief areas provided within the airport with dual surfaces and waste disposal stations. Outdoor areas are in terminals D, E, J, and indoor areas are located in terminal D, F, G and J |
| Yoga rooms | There are tranquil spaces devoted to practicing yoga in terminal H |
| Wi-Fi and internet access | There is internet access within all terminals in the airport with affordable rates as follows; $4.95 for standard uninterrupted service and $7.95 for premium uninterrupted service |
| Wheelchair services | Upon request there is wheelchair service offered through the air carriers. For convenience one will need to book the service in advance. |
| Water refill station | You can refill your water bottle freely in both pre-security and post-security areas. |
| Wall of honor | There is a three-sided monument covered in black granite listing the names of more than 100 south Florida military men and women who died serving in the global war on terrorism since September 11th, 2001 |
| U.S Mail drop boxes | There are US mailboxes located throughout the 2nd level of the terminal pre-security. |
| VIP clubs and lounges | MIA has various operated VIP clubs and lounges located in terminals D, E, F, G, H and J |
| Translation services | For travelers whose languages are not part of those spoken by the multilingual staff, there are provisions of translators for them. |
| Tourism Information center | There are tourism centers located throughout the terminal s including the main counter on the 2nd level of the central terminal E and the counter is open from 6 am to 10 pm |
| Things to do | If your flight is in 3-5 hours there are things one can do to occupy the time until there flight is ready. |
| ATMs | ATM machines are located throughout the terminals are all operational |
| Auditorium | There are ready to use auditoriums located on the 4th level of north terminal D and 3rd level of the south terminal which are reserved for functions and meetings. |
| Baggage checkroom and storage | There are baggage checkrooms and storage located on the second level of central terminal E which is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm that offers services at rates subject to the size of the baggage |
| Baggage wrapping station | Wrapping services are available throughout the 2nd level of the terminal pre-security and the services allow passengers to protect checked luggage prior to check-in. |
| Chapel | There is a non-denominational chapel room located on the 1st level of terminal D between international arrivals and carrousel 22 |
| Currency exchange | Foreign currency exchange booths are located throughout the terminals in MIA |
| Language assistance | There are information counters located throughout the terminals where one in need of language assistance can access. |
| Lost and found | The lost and found facility is located on the fourth level of north terminal D, next to the bank of America. |
| MIA mover station | The MIA mover is an elevated people mover system that connects passengers from MIA to the Miami car rental center and is located on the 3rd level between Dolphin and Flamingo garages. |
| Military hospitality Lounge | There is a military hospitality lounge run by volunteers daily. |
| Multi-sensory room | There is a multi-sensory room that offers passengers with different disabilities the chance to relax and enjoy a quiet environment before boarding their flight. |
| Nursing suite | There is a MIAmama suite where moms can access for a quiet private environment. |
| Parking options | There is a variety of parking space offered by the airport |
| Pet relief area | There is the provision of pet relief areas with synthetic grass, fire hydrant, disposable bags and sinks located in post-security concourse D, F, G and J |
| Plane fun | There is a unique interactive area for children located in concourse E near gates E5 and accessible from concourse D as well. |
| Rental car center | Just one mile east of MIA there is a car rental center and one can access it by the use of MIA mover. |
| Self-service luggage carts | Passengers may rent self-service luggage carts for $5 per cart which are available throughout the terminals, in the parking garage, and inside the federal inspection service enclosures. |
| Shopping | There is a wide range of shops with a wide range of products where passengers can do some shopping |
| Skyride connector | There is a Skyride moving walkway which connects all the three MIA terminals |
| Smoking areas | There are smoking areas located outside terminals on level one and level 2across the streets from concourse D, E, F, H and J and at the TGI Friday smoking lounge |
| Spa services | There is a spa located on the second level of south terminal H that offers manicure, pedicure, massages, and tanning. |
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
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Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
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