Miami International Airport (MIA) Guide: Terminals, Parking & Maps Information

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the main gateway of South Florida and the busiest international airport in the USA, carrying more than 55 million passengers per year with non-stop flights to more than 100 countries around the world. MIA serves more passengers traveling to and from Latin America than any other US airport, with more than 100 airlines serving over 160 destinations throughout the world. The other two airports serving the city are Miami Executive Airport (TMB) and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), making travelling easier.

In contrast to the majority of big US airports, Miami International Airport does not have numbered terminals. MIA is a horseshoe-shaped airport and has six concourses: D, E, F, G, H, and J, which form three terminal facilities called North, Central, and South. American Airlines maintains its biggest Latin American hub at MIA while many other international and domestic airlines operate flights from the remaining concourses. At the moment, there is an ongoing big capital investment project aimed at expanding gates and redevelopment of the Central Terminal.

Airlines Serving Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA is a central hub for American Airlines and an important entry point for other airlines connecting to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

• Concourse D: Main hub for American Airlines operations at MIA, including mainline and international departures. Gates range from D1-D60, and this concourse serves as one of the most active airline concourses in the Western Hemisphere.

• Concourse E: American Airlines international arrivals, as well as major Latin American carriers such as LATAM, Copa, Avianca, and Aeromexico.

• Concourses F & G: Mainly for non-American domestic and Canadian carriers such as Delta, United, Lufthansa, and Air France.

• Concourse H: Delta and non-Oneworld international airlines as well as American Eagle regional carrier operations.

• Concourse J: Hub for non-Oneworld international carriers such as Emirates, El Al, TAP Air Portugal, GOL, ITA Airways, and Scandinavian Airlines.

Please always refer to your boarding pass for the specific concourse letter, because sometimes gates may change, especially if there is terminal renovation going on.

Miami International Airport (MIA) Baggage Claim 

The process of baggage claim at MIA depends on the concourses, where each terminal area has its own claim halls situated on the lower level. You need to look for the “Baggage Claim” signs near your arrival gate that will lead you to the corresponding carousel according to your flight number. It may be noted that flight numbers are usually displayed on the monitors throughout the concourse and in the claim area as well.

For international travelers, the process of reaching baggage claim includes clearing through the US Customs and Border Protection and may take an extra 30-60 minutes due to the high flow of flights in and out of Latin American and Caribbean countries. If you’re going to meet an incoming traveler, then you should wait at the Cell Phone Waiting Lot that is free of charge and situated close to the LeJeune Road and NW 31st Street.

Lounges of Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA features 12 airline lounges altogether, out of which only 3 provide day passes that can be purchased by any passenger. All others require premium cabin, elite frequent flyer, or credit card membership to access them.

Popular lounges:

• Admirals Club: There are three Admirals Clubs located in Concourses D and E operated by American Airlines.

• Flagship Lounge: Premium lounge for Flagship Business and First class passengers operated by American Airlines, providing full restaurant-style meals.

• Centurion Lounge: This Centurion Lounge of MIA is situated in Concourse D and can be accessed with an Amex Platinum, Business Platinum, or Centurion card. It offers Latin-inspired cuisine and is one of the busiest Centurions in the network; thus, an early arrival is recommended.

• Priority Pass lounges: Various lounges at MIA accept Priority Pass membership, and its holders can also get discounted admission to Corona Beach House in Concourse D.

Passengers who don’t have lounge access due to status or credit cards can buy their day passes in some select lounges directly from the lounge counter.

MIA Maps for Miami International Airport

There is an MIA interactive map that helps travelers find entry and exit gates, luggage pick up, restaurants, lounges, shops and many more. As the airport does not have numbered terminals, the map is divided into concourses from D to J, and it becomes possible to find the gate you need, the nearest toilet and nearby food court once you know which concourse you should go.

The airport has MIA Mover that connects the Miami Intermodal Center and all the terminal areas within two to three minutes every day without break. In Concourse D specifically, there is Skytrain that travels the whole mile-long concourse and stops at four stations along the way.

Parking at Miami International Airport (MIA)

At MIA, there are five types of parking facilities, which include the garages, the Economy lot, valet, off-site lots, and the hotel park-sleep-fly packages.

• Dolphin Garage - It connects to concourses D and E and is convenient for passengers from American Airlines, JetBlue, and British Airways.

• Flamingo Garage - It connects to concourses E-J and is the best choice for Delta, United, LATAM, Copa, Emirates and most other international airlines.

• Ibis Garage - It connects to concourses J and H and is best for Aeromexico, Emirates, El Al, TAP Air Portugal, GOL, ITA Airways and Scandinavian Airlines.

• Economy Park & Ride - It is the least expensive on-airport facility and has a shuttle that operates 24 hours a day.

• Off-site lots - They are usually the most economical options, especially for longer trips.

Smoking Locations at Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA is a smoke-free airport within the confines of its terminals, following the provisions of the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act. The designated outdoor smoking zones at MIA are situated outdoors on the ground transportation level of the terminal building, which means that people wishing to smoke will have to leave the secured area of the terminal. In order to gain access back into the secured area, individuals will have to pass through the security check once again, thus giving travelers more time to consider if it’s worth their while to smoke outdoors.

Miami International Airport (MIA) Security Wait Times

Wait times for security at MIA are variable and depend greatly on time of day, day of the week, and which concourse you will be departing from, with Concourse D, the main base of operations for American, generally experiencing the most traffic.

In general terms,

• Domestic flights: Be sure to arrive at security 2 hours before your departure.

• International flights: Include another 60-90 minutes due to MIA's very busy schedule of Latin American and European routes causing peak-bank traffic at check-in and security.

Joining the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry programs is one way to substantially reduce wait times, especially during MIA's busiest periods, which include holiday weekends, spring break, and winter travel season. The TSA MyTSA app as well as the MIA Airport app provide real-time estimates for security wait times before you even go to the airport.

FAQ

Que: Are there terminals that are numbered at MIA?

Ans: No, MIA is one horseshoe-shaped building that is categorized based on letters of concourse such as concourses D, E, F, G, H, and J rather than numbered terminals. Be sure to check the concourse letter in your boarding pass.

Que: When should I arrive at MIA before my flight?

Ans: Arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure for domestic flights, and an additional 60-90 minutes prior to international flights because of the high volume of international flights at MIA and customs clearance for arrivals.

Que: Is there a possibility to purchase a day pass to an airport lounge at MIA?

Ans: Yes, although not all of MIA’s 12 airport lounges can be accessed using a purchased day pass – 3 out of 12 airport lounges accept day passes purchased by anyone.

Que: How do I get between concourses at MIA?

Ans: Take the MIA Mover, a free shuttle train running 24/7, stopping every two to three minutes from the Miami Intermodal Center through all the terminals. The Skytrain inside Concourse D links gates across the one-mile-long concourse.