Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary airport serving the Greater Miami area. It is the largest gateway between the United States and Latin America and is one of the busiest airports in the world. MIA covers 2,899 acres (1,177 hectares) of land, making it one of the largest airports in terms of land area.
The airport has a total of six runways, four terminals, and two adjacent highways. MIA handles over 40 million passengers per year, making it one of the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic. In addition to its mainline service from American Airlines, MIA also offers services from a variety of smaller airlines.
When Will Miami Airport Reopen?
As of October 1, the latest information from Miami Airport is that they are still estimating a reopening date of October 9.
However, as we all know, things can change rapidly and the situation could evolve significantly in the coming days. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our readers as new information becomes available.
Miami Airport Information
Airport type | Public |
Owner | Miami-Dade County |
Operator | Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) |
Serves | Miami metropolitan area |
Location | Miami-Dade County, Florida, U.S. |
Opened | 1928; 94 years ago |
Hub for | 21 AirABX AirAmerican AirlinesAmerijet InternationalAtlas AirAvianca CargoEastern Airlines, LLCFedEx ExpressIAero AirwaysIBC AirwaysMas AirNorthern Air CargoSky Lease CargoSongbird AirwaysUPS AirlinesWestern Global AirlinesWorld Atlantic Airlines |
Focus city for | AviancaGlobal Crossing AirlinesFrontier AirlinesLATAMPolar Air CargoSpirit Airlines |
Elevation AMSL | 9 ft / 3 m |
Coordinates | 25°47′36″N 080°17′26″W |
IATA: | MIA |
ICAO: | KMIA |
FAA LID: | MIA |
WMO: | 72202 |
Total Passengers | 37,302,456 |
Aircraft operations | 387,973 |
Metric tonnes of cargo | 2,779,338 |
What Rank Does Miami International Airport Have?
There is no “official” ranking of airports, as different organizations use different criteria to rate them. However, Miami International Airport is generally considered to be one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2018, it handled over 44 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo. It is also the largest gateway between the United States and Latin America and is a major hub for American Airlines. So while there is no “official” ranking, Miami International Airport is certainly one of the most important airports in the world.
What Is the History behind Miami Airport Name?

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary airport serving the Greater Miami area. It is situated approximately 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Downtown Miami in an unincorporated suburb known as Miami-Dade County. MIA is the largest gateway between the United States and Latin America, handling over 40 million passengers per year. The airport is also a major hub for American Airlines, with countless domestic and international flights departing from its facilities every day.
For many years, MIA was simply referred to as “Miami Airport.” But in August 2010, it officially changed its name to “Miami International Airport” in an effort to rebrand itself and emphasize its global reach.
How Much Does Parking Cost at Miami International Airport?
Miami International Airport offers several different parking options, all of which have different rates. The Olive Garage is the cheapest option, with rates starting at $4 for 2 hours and $10 for 24 hours. The Dolphin Garage is a bit more expensive, with rates starting at $6 for 2 hours and $22 for 24 hours. Finally, the FLASH Parking Garage is the most expensive option, with rates starting at $8 for 2 hours and $28 for 24 hours.
How Much Is Long-Term Parking at Miami Airport?
The cost of long-term parking at Miami Airport varies depending on the parking facility and the length of time you plan to park.
For example, the Miami International Airport Parking Garage offers daily, weekly, and monthly rates. The daily rate is $17 for economy parking and $33 for premium parking. The weekly rate is $85 for economy parking and $165 for premium parking. And the monthly rate is $295 for economy parking and $595 for premium parking.
Of course, there are many other off-site airport parking facilities in Miami that offer different rates. So it’s best to do some research to find the best deal that meets your needs.
Where to Return a Rental Car at Miami International Airport?
When returning a rental car at Miami International Airport, you will first need to take the rental car to a designated lot. The lot is located on the lower level of the airport, and can be accessed by following the signs for “Car Rental Return.” Once you have arrived at the lot, you will need to park your rental car in one of the designated spaces and then complete the return process.
The return process generally includes filling out a form and giving it to an employee, as well as inspecting your rental car for damage. If there is any damage, you will need to note it on the form before returning it. You may also be required to provide a credit card or other form of payment in order to cover expenses.
How Far Is Miami Beach from Miami International Airport?

Miami Beach is about 8 miles from Miami International Airport. If you were to take a car, the trip would likely take about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. For perspective, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort is about 22 miles from Orlando International Airport (MCO). So if you’re headed to Miami Beach from the airport, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting there!
Busiest Domestic Routes to and from Miami International Airport (MIA) (June 2021 – May 2022)
Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
---|---|---|---|
1 | New York–JFK, New York | 1,024,000 | American, Delta, JetBlue |
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | 951,000 | American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit |
3 | New York – La Guardia, New York | 775,000 | American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit |
4 | Newark, New Jersey | 684,000 | American, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, United |
5 | Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas | 667,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit |
6 | Los Angeles, California | 651,000 | American, JetBlue |
7 | Chicago–O’Hare, Illinois | 610,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit, United |
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | 609,000 | American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit |
9 | Orlando, Florida | 507,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit |
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 494,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit |
Where Can I Exchange Currency at Miami International Airport?
If you are looking to exchange currency at Miami International Airport, you have several options. The first option is to go to one of the two foreign exchange kiosks located in the baggage claim area. The second option is to go to one of the bank branches that are located at the airport.
The most popular banks that have branches at Miami International Airport are Bank of America and Wells Fargo. However, there are also a few local banks that have branches in the airport, including Sabadell United Bank and Ocean Bank. Finally, if you are looking for a more convenient option, you can also exchange currency at one of the many foreign exchange stores that are located in and around the airport.
How Far Is a Port of Miami from Miami Airport?
Approximately 8 miles. Port of Miami is located on Dodge Island, just off the coast of Downtown Miami. The port is convenient to Miami International Airport (MIA) and other major transportation hubs — just a short drive or taxi ride away.
Getting from MIA to the port is easy, with a variety of ground transportation options available. The most popular way to get to the port is by taxi, which will take about 20-30 minutes and cost around $35-40. You can also take the MIA Mover, which is an automated people mover that connects MIA with the Rental Car Center and MiaLOCATION. The MIA Mover costs $2 per adult (round trip) and takes about 10-15 minutes.
Is Miami and Fort Lauderdale the Same Airport?
Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) are two separate airports, although they’re close to each other.
MIA is the larger of the two airports, serving as a hub airport for American Airlines and LATAM. FLL is a smaller airport, serving as a hub airport for Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways.
Largest Airlines at Miami Airport
Rank | Airline | Passengers | Percent of market share |
---|---|---|---|
1 | American Airlines | 16,350,000 | 59.70% |
2 | Delta Air Lines | 2,509,000 | 9.16% |
3 | Envoy Air | 1,879,000 | 6.86% |
4 | Southwest Airlines | 1,657,000 | 6.05% |
5 | United Airlines | 1,418,000 | 5.18% |
FLL or MIA: Which Airport Is Better?
Both airports are great, but if you’re looking for the best airport in South Florida, then FLL would be the winner. MIA does have a lot more international flights, but FLL is newer and has more amenities.