What to expect at MIA and FLL during travel crunch — and how to move like a pro

Winter holiday travel season officially starts this weekend, and travelers at South Florida airports will likely encounter lines and delays. But there are some improvements, too, including a new MIA parking garage.

Miami International Airport expects to serve a record 3.3. million passengers over the 18-day period, from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5, according to Greg Chin, communications director of Miami-Dade Aviation Department. The volume is 3% higher than over the same period last year, he said.

Saturday, Dec. 20 is the first of MIA’s several peak days, estimated to have more than 190,000 daily passengers. The others are Dec. 26-27 and Jan. 2-3.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s holiday period goes from Dec. 20 to Jan. 5, based on their 2024 forecasts. The airport has yet to provide passenger forecasts for the December holidays.

But FLL’s Thanksgiving 2025 forecast, out in November, showed it may be a worthwhile alternative to MIA. FLL estimated little increase in number of passengers compared to the year prior. It predicted over 106,000 daily travelers over that seven-day period. “The flat year-over-year forecast is due to the relatively unchanged number of available airline seats to/from FLL for this 2025 holiday period,” the airport said in a statement.

Work in progress at MIA

For travelers using Miami International, take note: The airport is undergoing $9 billion in renovations to be completed by 2039 while staying open 24/7. So be aware of signs and detours that alert work in progress.

For arriving travelers, note that signs for baggage claim may put you on the same floor as ticket counters for departing passengers. You’ll then have to take an elevator or escalator to go down one level to get your luggage.

If you get lost or have questions, or complaints, look for airport employees with blue vests that say “Lightning Crew” on the back. They double as customer service representatives located throughout the airport and can help you immediately.

Before you reach MIA, you may be slowed down by another construction project. If you’re driving to or from MIA around 9 p.m., take note that parts of Dolphin Expressway are under construction. So, give yourself extra time when traveling State Road 836.

Construction at FLL

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is building a $404 million fifth airline terminal, the airport’s most significant project in more than a decade. The area, which will have five airline passenger gates for domestic flights, will cover 230,000 square feet and should be finished in 2026.

Travelers will also notice some already-made improvements.

New parking and more security at MIA

New garage: An extension of the Flamingo garage gives the airport an additional 2,240 parking spaces. The Ibis garage parking was scheduled to open to the public on the evening of Dec. 19, a project completed on time — and just in time.

SunPass: The parking payment system SunPass may not be back in time for Christmas, but it will return as an option by early January 2026, MIA’s Chin said. The airport stopped accepting the prepaid electronic toll system used on highways in much of the state in 2022.

Faster security checkpoint: TSA Checkpoint 2, located in Concourse D near gates D22 to D25, is up and running again, and it’s faster than before. The upgraded checkpoint debuted Nov. 1 after being shut down since Sept. 2. With the reopening, all TSA checkpoints are now functioning at MIA.

The area still has four passenger screening lanes, but each one now comes equipped with a 3D computed tomography explosive detection scanner. That’s a machine that detects images at 360 degrees and is more precise.

Each lane also now has a fully automated bin return conveyance system, which can screen 500 bins per hour. It moves carry-on bags into the CT machines while returning empty bins to the front of the line. The bins are about 25% larger than the previous ones, according to TSA officials.

TSA and MIA officials say the upgraded Checkpoint 2 is processing passengers 30% faster because of the changes.

If you’re worried about wait times at TSA checkpoints, MIA has a tool that gives real-time answers.

Due to the new technology and the larger bins, travelers no longer have to take out laptops or other electronic devices from carry-on bags. Travelers can also empty everything from their pockets into the same bin, although TSA advises travelers to put keys, phones and other small personal belongings in their bags rather than pockets to reduce the risk of losing them. At the other end of security, travelers don’t have to return the bins or find the stack to place it on. They’re returned automatically.

Terminal transit: More escalators, elevators and moving walkways will be operating compared to prior years: 94% of the 616 at MIA were working as of Nov. 20, according to the aviation department. Of those out of service, 14 are having maintenance work and 25 are being replaced, part of the renovation plans.

MIA in November said it added automated passport screening capabilities that will reduce wait times. Customs and Border Protection’s Enhanced Passenger Processing added 12 face pods across three passport control areas in concourses D, E and J. Photos are taken and images are matched with CBP’s records within three seconds, they say.

And the Skytrain is working, serving travelers and airport and airline employees who use gates D1 to D60 in the North Terminal’s Concourse D. That’s the home of American Airlines. The shuttle returned to full service in August.

Changes at FLL

Breeze Airways started service in November out of FLL to and from Akron-Canton, Ohio, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Bahamasair started service to and from North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Porter Airlines started season flight in December to and from Hamilton International Airport in Ontario, Canada.

The Fly305 Cafe opened this year. Whisky River now offers HMSHost’s rare and limited-edition spirits.

Weather

No matter which airport you’re flying in or out of, keep up with possible weather delays. South Florida will be sunny and hot, but connections up North and out West may be affected by bad weather.

“The central and northern Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevada, parts of the Midwest and interior Northeast have a 75% probability or higher or a white Christmas this year,” said a report from Accuweather.

MORE: Miami is hot — so when will it cool down? What forecast says through Christmas

Florida though is the only state Accuweather forecasts as “Sunshine/Pleasant.”

Here’s what else to know at each of South Florida’s major airports during holiday travel:

Departures

When to get to the airport: The airports recommend arriving three hours before your flight departs to give yourself enough time for parking, check-in and the security screening process. The airports also suggest checking in online before arriving. If your flight gets delayed, be patient with airline employees as they work to reschedule, and remain in contact with your airline for flight updates.

Checking your flights: MIA has several ways to check flights, including a list of airlines, their door number, departure concourse, check-in counter location and baggage claim area. The airport also has a mobile app. FLL’s flight tracker works by flight or route. You’ll need to know the date, along with the airline carrier and flight number or the departure and arrival airport. The tool also gives people the option to see a list of all expected arrivals and departures and details on the flight’s terminal and baggage claim, too.

Parking

Miami International

MIA encourages travelers to take ride-sharing vehicles or get dropped off by family or friends. It expects parking lots to fill up.

Reserved Parking: Since June 2025, travelers can pre-pay for reserved parking inside MIA’s Flamingo or Dolphin garages. For more information, visit the Reserved Parking web page.

Remote Lot: Half-price parking is available at MIA’s remote Economy Park and Ride lot. The 460-space lot provides monitored parking and a free shuttle service to the MIA terminal every 15 minutes for $12 per day – less than half the $25 maximum daily rate at MIA’s Dolphin and Flamingo garages. Located at 1350 NW 45th Ave., the Economy Park-and-Ride lot is accessible from either Le Jeune Road or Perimeter Road. Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PaybyPhone are accepted.

Parking shuttles: Shuttle service pick-up and drop-off locations are on the Departures level across from doors 3, 11, and 26. For more information, visit the MIA Parking web page.

Valet parking: The valet lot is across from the check-in area at doors 4 and 20 in the Dolphin and Flamingo garages. Valet parking attendants take a driver’s vehicle and park it in one of 225 dedicated spaces on the Departures or arrivals level. Rates are $25 for under three hours, $39 for the first three to 24 hours and $39 each day after. Maximum stay is 20 days.

Electrical vehicles: Parking for electrical vehicle charging is available 24/7 at Arrivals, First Level, inner loop between Terminals E and G. And Departures second level, valet parking at the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.

Nearby parking: MIA’s website lists several “off-airport” options. Read those sites carefully. One site called Cheap Airport Parking lists nearby hotels and parking lots that offer parking for travelers. You make a reservation, just like you would for a rental car. Most hotel parking lots you’ll find on this site are generally open around the clock, have security and offer a free shuttle to the airport, plus cancellations, according to the website’s FAQ guide. Parking prices and shuttle times vary.

Picking up a passenger: MIA’s Cell Phone Waiting Lot has 60 free parking spaces for non-commercial users waiting to pick up travelers. It’s just off Le Jeune Road and Northwest 31st Street, accessible from Le Jeune heading north or south.

Airport garages: MIA’s two biggest garages are expected to fill up early. Dolphin Garage serves Concourse D and E. Flamingo Garage serves Concourses E-J. If you park in one of the garages, expect to pay $2 every 20 minutes. If your car is parked for more than four hours, you’ll be charged the maximum daily rate of $25, according to the airport. Your car can stay in the garage up to 45 days, except where “no overnight” is listed. After 45 days, your car will be towed. Accepted payments: cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover), Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. The airport no longer uses SunPass but plans to bring it back by early January 2026.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Onsite: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has three garages and an overflow lot that opens at peak travel times during the holidays or when the garages are full. Follow the orange signs when going to that offsite lot.

Alternatives: There’s a cellphone parking lot where people can park for free while waiting to pick someone up from the airport. FLL has curbside valet, too. With the ongoing high demand for curbside valet service and self-parking options at FLL this year, especially during the holidays, airport leaders recommend getting dropped off by family, friends, or a ride-share service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) because the airport’s onsite garages are likely to be filled.

Trams: FLL has inter-garage trams that operate from stops in the Hibiscus and Palm garages to transport passengers between terminals 1 and 4.

Helpful tools:

▪ Use the FLL app to see real-time parking availability and to help locate your car if you forget where you parked.

​▪ To find the closest parking location to your terminal, visit FLL’s website.

Use Space Finder to check available spaces in the garages.

Off-site parking if airport lots are full: Park ‘N Go, 1101 Eller Dr. in Fort Lauderdale, and Self Park FLL, 901 Old Griffin Rd. in Dania Beach, are self-parking lots that offer shuttles to and from Fort Lauderdale’s airport. Park ‘N Go’s website notes that during peak times, the lot may occasionally switch to valet parking. To check prices, availability and cancellation policies for Park ‘N Go, visit gator.bookparkngo.com/. For Self Park FLL, visit selfparkfll.com

TSA screening

The following advice comes from TSA:

Since July 8, 2025, passengers traveling through domestic airports are allowed to keep their shoes on while passing through TSA checkpoints.

Pack essential items such as medicine, travel documents, a phone charger, and a change of clothes in your carry-on instead of your checked bag. That’s in case your flight gets delayed, and you can’t quickly retrieve your checked bag.

To expedite TSA checkpoint screening, follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids or gels in your carry-on, and avoid accessories that resemble weapons and other prohibited items. For more TSA tips, visit the TSA website.

Find the fastest TSA checkpoint for your flight with MIA’s real-time updates on checkpoint wait times online.

According to data MIA’s Chin provided to the Miami Herald, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19, average wait time across all TSA checkpoints at the airport ranged from 3 minutes, 51 seconds to 5 minutes, 44 seconds.

Lost and Found

Miami International Airport’s Lost and Found center is in North Terminal D - Level 4 and is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All items found in the airport terminal, parking garages, drive areas or employee shuttle are stored securely for 30 days.

Special needs and accommodations

Miami

Requests: To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language interpreters, CART services and accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department public meetings and events, email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-876-7747 five days in advance to initiate your request. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

Sensory rooms: The Miami airport also has multisensory rooms, dedicated spaces for passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities such as autism. The room includes sensory aids that reduce agitation and anxiety sometimes caused by the hustle and bustle of airport travel. The rooms are located in post-security in Concourse D, next to checkpoint 4 and post-security in the H-J connector.

Visually impaired travelers: MIA uses Aira, a service and app that connect the visually impaired to a real-time remote, digital assistant. With a smartphone camera, the passenger provides a live feed of his or her location. Voice talk capabilities allow the assistant to guide the passenger through the airport, describing what is in his field of vision.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Visual help: FLL provides access to Aira, the app that helps guide the visually impaired through the airport by connecting through their smartphones and providing a digital assistant.

Hidden disabilities: The airport participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which provides a discreet way for adults and children with hidden disabilities to show they need additional support or more time with the airport process.

This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.