074. Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Airport (FLL)

FLL

Located just three miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has evolved from modest beginnings into a major transportation hub serving South Florida. As the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area, FLL has become an essential gateway for both leisure and business travelers, offering connections to destinations across the United States and around the world.

FLL History

Fort Lauderdale’s aviation history began with the opening of Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929, built over an abandoned nine-hole golf course. The airport’s history took a significant turn during World War II when the Navy took control of the field in 1942, greatly expanding it with new aprons, barracks, hangars, and runways for pilot training purposes.

After the war, the facility was returned to Broward County and transformed into a general aviation airport. A historical milestone occurred on June 2, 1953, when Mackey Airlines inaugurated the first scheduled commercial service with flights to the Bahamas.

In March 1959, Broward County opened its first permanent passenger terminal, a rectangular, low-rise concrete and glass structure topped with a control tower. This modest facility, located on the site of today’s Terminal 3, had ticket counters for the five carriers serving FLL at the time: Delta, Eastern, Mackey, National, and Northeast Airlines. The terminal featured a gift shop, newsstand, lounge, and restaurant, with a corral along the west side serving as the departure gate. During the terminal’s first year in operation, it handled 134,773 passengers.

As passenger traffic grew rapidly throughout the 1960s, reaching about one million passengers annually by the end of the decade, the airport expanded with two ramp-level concourses featuring 19 gates completed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Wide-body flights were introduced in the early 1970s when airlines started operating aircraft like the Lockheed L-1011 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on routes to Atlanta.

The 1980s saw major expansion of passenger facilities. Much of the current terminal complex (present-day Terminals 2, 3, and 4) was built by 1986 to replace the 1959 terminal. This expansion required significant infrastructure changes, including shifting both U.S. Route 1 and the Florida East Coast Railway further east to accommodate the growth.

The 1990s marked the beginning of FLL’s transformation into a low-cost carrier hub. Southwest Airlines opened its base at FLL in 1996, followed by Spirit Airlines in 1999 and JetBlue in 2000. Spirit Airlines established FLL as a hub in 2002, and JetBlue designated it as a focus city in 2003. This growth in low-cost carrier traffic ultimately led several major legacy airlines to reduce their service to FLL, with United completely pulling out in 2008 and American Airlines relocating some services to West Palm Beach in 2013.

FLL Quick Facts & Statistics

  • IATA Code: FLL
  • ICAO Code: KFLL
  • FAA LID: FLL
  • Location: Broward County, Florida, approximately 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale
  • Elevation: 65 feet (20 m) above sea level
  • Size: Approx. 1,380 acres
  • Ownership: Broward County
  • Passenger Volume: 35.1 million passengers in 2023 (up 10.8% from 2022)
  • U.S. Airport Ranking: 17th busiest U.S. airport for overall passenger traffic (20th for domestic, 12th for international)
  • Daily Traffic: Approximately 90,000 passengers and 600 flights daily
  • Top Destinations: Atlanta, Baltimore, Newark, New York, and Philadelphia
  • International Destinations: Serves approximately 46 international destinations
  • Domestic Destinations: Serves approximately 83 domestic destinations

Terminals and Facilities

FLL features a rectangular layout with four color-coded terminals positioned around the perimeter and parking facilities in the center. The airport currently has 56 gates across its four terminals, each with distinct features and airline tenants.

Terminal 1 (Yellow Terminal)

Terminal 1, also known as the “New Terminal,” is the most recently updated facility at FLL. It includes three concourses (A, B, and C) with a total of 23 gates:

  • Concourse A (east side): Gates A1-A7
  • Concourse B (central location): Gates B1-B9
  • Concourse C (west side): Gates C1-C9

The terminal underwent a $300 million renovation completed in June 2017, which created a unified TSA security checkpoint and a new concession hall. Concourse A was also built during this renovation and includes a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international flights.

Terminal 1 primarily serves airlines including:

Facilities include a wide range of shops and restaurants on Level 3, as well as a United Club lounge.

Terminal 2 (Red Terminal)

Terminal 2 is located at the northwest end of the airport and consists of one concourse (D) with 9 gates (D1-D9). Originally opened in November 1986 as the North Terminal, it was redesignated as Terminal 2 in 1999. The terminal underwent renovations in 2018, which expanded the check-in area, modernized security screening facilities, and updated the Delta Sky Club lounge.

Terminal 2 primarily serves:

Terminal 3 (Purple Terminal)

Terminal 3 contains 20 gates spread across two concourses (E and F). It functions as the operating base for JetBlue’s domestic flights and is also used by:

The terminal is connected to Terminal 4 via a pedestrian bridge, allowing passengers to move between these terminals without clearing security again (except for international arrivals).

Terminal 4 (Green Terminal)

Terminal 4, often referred to as the International Terminal, features Concourse G with 14 gates. The terminal underwent significant renovations in the 2010s, with the first phase of Concourse G opening in July 2015. The perpendicular Concourse H was demolished after Concourse G was completed in 2017. Eleven of the 14 gates in Concourse G are capable of handling both international and domestic flights.

Spirit Airlines is the primary operator from this terminal.

Amenities and Services

FLL offers an extensive range of amenities and services across all terminals:

  • Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout all terminals, concourses, and the rental car center
  • Charging Stations: Free to use throughout concourse areas
  • ATMs: Located pre- and post-security in all terminals and on level 3 of the car rental center
  • Currency Exchange: Available in the international arrivals area of Terminal 1 and the baggage claim area of Terminal 4
  • Luggage Storage: Facilities in all terminals (though some locations may be temporarily closed)
  • Nursing Pods: Six dedicated Mamava nursing pods located throughout the airport
  • Pet Relief Areas: Available both pre-security and post-security for service animals
  • Duty-Free Shops: Located in all four terminals
  • Meditation/Prayer Room: Located at the south end of Terminal 3
  • Lost and Found: Office located on level 2 in the rental car center

Airlines

FLL serves as a hub for several airlines and hosts numerous domestic and international carriers:

Hub/Focus City Airlines

  • Spirit Airlines (hub)
  • JetBlue Airways (focus city)
  • Allegiant Air (hub)
  • Silver Airways (hub)

Major Carriers

  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines

International Carriers

  • Air Canada
  • Air Transat
  • Avianca
  • Azul Brazilian Airlines
  • Bahamasair
  • BermudAir
  • Caribbean Airlines
  • Copa Airlines
  • El Al
  • Flair Airlines
  • Porter Airlines
  • Western Air

The airport’s top ten busiest routes include a mix of domestic and international destinations, with service to Atlanta, Newark, Nassau, New York-LaGuardia, Toronto, Baltimore, Port-au-Prince, New York-JFK, Montego Bay, and Charlotte.

Ground Transportation

FLL offers numerous transportation options for traveling to and from the airport:

Rail

  • Tri-Rail: Connects to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Station via a free shuttle bus
  • Brightline: High-speed rail service accessible via shuttle from FLL to Fort Lauderdale Station

Bus

  • Broward County Transit: Route 1 connects the airport to various locations throughout Fort Lauderdale
  • Airport Shuttle Buses: Service between terminals and to the rental car center, operating 24/7

Taxi and Rideshare

  • Taxis: Available at designated stands on the lower level of each terminal, operating 24/7
  • Rideshare Services: Uber and Lyft provide service to and from designated pickup areas

Rental Cars

  • A centralized Rental Car Center is located opposite Terminal 1, accessible via a pedestrian bridge from Terminal 1 or shuttle buses from Terminals 2, 3, and 4
  • Major rental companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty are located in the center
  • Additional companies operate off-airport with shuttle service

Parking

  • Three parking garages (Cypress, Hibiscus, and Palm) with over 12,000 total spaces
  • Options for short-term, long-term, and valet parking
  • Designated handicapped parking in all garages

Future Developments

FLL is in the midst of an ambitious expansion program to accommodate growing passenger demand. Key future developments include:

Terminal 5

In October 2023, Broward County officials broke ground on the airport’s new Terminal 5 (T5), a $404 million expansion project that represents FLL’s first new-build terminal in decades. The 230,000-square-foot facility will feature:

  • Five new domestic gates
  • Check-in and baggage areas
  • Security screening facilities
  • Retail and food services
  • Capacity to handle up to 5 million additional passengers annually

Terminal 5 is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Located at the airport’s east end, it will include a multistory passenger bridge connecting it to Terminal 4, as well as a new ground transportation center serving both terminals.

Terminal Connectors

A $260 million project to construct enclosed post-security walkways linking Terminals 1 and 2, as well as Terminals 2 and 3, is underway. This project will allow passengers to move between all terminals without exiting and re-entering security checkpoints. The terminal connectors project is scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Intermodal Center

FLL plans to construct an Intermodal Center (IMC), a 4.6 million square foot, eight-story facility with 6,685 parking spaces. This major development is slated for completion by 2029.

Automated People Mover

Over the next decade, the airport will invest approximately $855 million to construct an automated people mover system, with completion targeted for 2030.

Master Plan

The Broward County Aviation Department received approval for its Master Plan Update from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation in early 2021. The plan calls for increasing the number of gates from 62 to 95 and widening terminal access roads, among other improvements. Current projections anticipate passenger traffic growing from 35 million to nearly 52 million annual passengers within two decades.

Economic Impact

FLL operates without local tax dollar support, generating its own revenue through airline fees, concessions, parking, and other sources. The airport serves as a significant economic engine for the region:

  • The Terminal 5 project alone is expected to create approximately 3,400 direct and indirect construction-related jobs
  • Upon completion, Terminal 5 is anticipated to generate between 1,000 and 1,250 permanent new jobs at FLL
  • The airport’s catchment area encompasses more than six million individuals, many of whom lead Florida in travel spending

As Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport continues to expand and modernize, it remains committed to enhancing the passenger experience while accommodating the growing demand for air travel in South Florida. With its strategic location between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, FLL provides convenient access to the region’s beautiful beaches, vibrant business centers, and world-famous cruise terminals at Port Everglades, solidifying its position as a key gateway to the Sunshine State and beyond.

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