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AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Jan 2, 2016, 6:17 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Prospero
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

Check-in times as of March 2016 Link

In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States[
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States

If you’re beginning travel from any of the airports below, the check-in time is longer:

Departing from: Check-in must be completed by:
(minutes before scheduled departure time)
  • Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) 90 minutes
  • Dublin, Ireland (DUB) 75 minutes
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) 75 minutes
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela (MAR) 90 minutes
  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) 90 minutes
Link to Miami International Airport website
Link to aa.com Miami International Airport page and airport app.
Link to thread with archived older posts.

Peculiarities: MIA can be affected by summer tropical storms and hurricanes. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide. At peak times (e.g. early morning arrivals), arrivals processing and terminal facilities can get very crowded.

Special notice

We operate out of Concourses D and E. Check your flight status for gate information.

Ticket counters
American Airlines
Concourse D
Daily: 4 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Airport Map
Official Minimum Connection Times for MIA (assuming same terminal):
  • 0:40 Domestic to Domestic
  • 0:45 Domestic to International
  • 1:35 International to Domestic
  • 1:35 International to International
NOTE: Though 1:35 is the given MCT International to Domestic (and 1:35 international to international), one should not consider that useful for everyone connecting international to domestic unless one has Global Entry or luck.

International arrivals at MIA requires most passengers to fill out a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form 6059B - one per family - process U.S. Immigration, retrieve baggage at arrivals carousels, process through U.S. customs, re-check baggage, proceed to either the TSA connections security processing queue or landside and process TSA security (with onward boarding pass) to return airside. (Read on for exceptions.)

This does not apply if you are connecting international to international and have red "ITI" tags on your checked baggage. You will have to produce the Form 6059B and still pass through USCBP, albeit without baggage.

Other than for U.S. passport holders and passengers with USDHS ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization under the Visa Waiver Program), who may use kiosks that expedite the arrivals process, Immigration, Customs and TSA Security queues can at times be tortuous and one would do better scheduling a connection time closer to 2:30 (or even 3:00) for a comfortable international to domestic or to international connection for non-ESTA / non-U.S. passport holders.

If one is enrolled in Global Entry and can use the dedicated kiosks and expedited queues, the process is speediest as there are clearly marked queues after the self-clearing kiosks and one is not required to possess a Form 6059B.
For general information, see:

AA FAQ: Will I make my connection?
MIA Airport Website
MIA North Terminal (Concourse D) Updates
Concourse D Skytrain (inside security) - transfers between all gates in Concourse D and between inbound international flights and Customs & Immigrations Halls in Concourse E. Concourses D and E are connected inside security via a walkway.
Connections between terminals at MIA (using the Skyride Connector moving walkways)
AA.com: Admirals Club Locations and Hours
FT: American Airlines Lounge Dashboard for Lounge information

Concourses and Gates
The terminal at MIA is a single U-shaped building divided into 6 concourses. AA operates flights out of Concourses D & E.Concourse D: Gates D1-D60
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates D1-D51
  • American Eagle flights depart from Gates D53, D55 & D60
Concourse E: Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
Gates E20-E33 are located at the International Satellite Terminal, accessible via people mover on Level 4 just past the Concourse E security checkpoint. If the people mover is out of service, signs will direct passengers to the shuttle bus departing from the E1 Bus Station on Level 1
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • Finnair ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 10; flights depart from Gate E30
  • Iberia ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 13 & 14; flights depart from Gate E23Qatar Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights depart from Gate E10
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F
Concourse F: Gates F3-F23
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F
Concourse J: Gates J2-J18
  • Delayed American Airlines international flights arrive at Concourse J when the federal inspection station at Concourse D is closed (generally between 11 PM and 3:30 AM)

Checking in at MIA Link
Flagship Check-in: Yes

Arrival at the Airport
The TSA recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight (3 hours for international). If you travel often, save time by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. We’re working with the U.S. government to alleviate these delays.

Check-in Times
You must be checked in:
  • At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States (domestic flights)
  • At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to airports outside of the United States (international flights)
Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
  • 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure
Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your seat assignment and the removal of your checked baggage from the aircraft.

Doors close 10 minutes before departure.

Time to baggage delivery: 30-55 minutes

AA Ticket Counters Link

Concourse D
Charter 1: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 1

Kiosk 1: self-service check-in; located between Doors 1 and 2
Main: full-service check-in; located across from Door 2
Flagship: full-service check-in; located between Doors 2 & 3
Priority: full-service check-in; separate queues for First Class & AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Business Class & AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Gold & Priority; late nights Priority and Main are consolidated at this counter; located between Doors 3 & 4

Kiosk 2: self-service check-in; located across from Door 5

Kiosk 3: self-service check-in; located across from Door 6

Rebooking Center: missed connection assistance for customers arriving on international flights only; located across from Door 6

Cuba Check-in: self-service check-in for customers traveling to Cuba only; located between Doors 6 & 7

Concourse E
Charter 2: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 10


Security at MIA
Link to security checkpoint locations map. All Concourse D and E gates are accessible from any D or E checkpoint. Connections to or from other concourses will require you to exit and reclear security.

If you do not have Priority or Pre✓, please allow at least 20-40 minutes to clear security. If you miss your flight due to security checkpoint wait times, you will be allowed to standby for the next AA flight to your destination.

Concourse D
Checkpoint 1: open 5 AM to 9 PM, best for Gates D1-D21, located across from Door 1

Checkpoint 2: open 24 hours, best for Gates D22-D24, available to Priority and Pre✓ passengers only while other checkpoints are open (4 AM to 10:30 PM), located across from Door 3

Checkpoint 3: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates D25-D29 & D41-D60 (via skytrain) and access to skytrain Station 2, located between Doors 5 & 6

Checkpoint 4: open 8 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM, best for Gates D30-D40, located across from Door 9

D FIS Checkpoint: open 4 AM to 9:30 PM, available only to passengers who have cleared customs at the D federal inspection station (non-precleared international flights arriving Concourses D, E & F), located to your left upon exiting customs

Concourse E
Checkpoint E: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33, located between Doors 11 & 12

Priority lanes available at Checkpoints 2 and E

TSA Pre✓ available 24 hours at Checkpoint 2, available during peak times only at Checkpoints 1, E, and D FIS

CLEAR available at Checkpoint E & H

Tip: Upon exiting customs, you will be directed to the D FIS checkpoint. If you would like to use an alternate checkpoint, follow the signs to the Crew EXIT and Rebooking Center in order to avoid exiting on the Arrivals (lower) level and having to go back upstairs. Checkpoints 1-3 will be to your left and Checkpoints 4 & E will be to your right.

Security checkpoint operating hours may differ from published times due to TSA staffing constraints and security initiatives.


MIA Services, Shopping, and Dining
MIA VIP Services (expedited processing similar to AA Five Star Service): link.

Lounges: please see the Lounge Dashboard sticky for further lounge information at MIAConcourse D: Admirals Clubs above Gate D15 and across from Gate D30; Centurion Lounge at Gate D12 (take elevator in rotunda to Level 3)

Dining & Shopping: Link to MIA services, dining guide, and interactive map

On-Airport Hotel:Miami International Airport Hotel (landside, Concourse E)

Wi-Fi:Paid WI-Fi service available throughout terminal. Link to pricing information and connection instructions

Smoking: Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas across from terminal sidewalks and at:TGI Friday's smoking lounge between Gates D34 & D36

Rental Cars: The Rental Car Center is located at 3900 NW 25 St, Miami, FL 33142 (across from the main entrance to the airport) and is served by 16 companies. Link. Access to and from the terminal is via the MIA Mover automated people mover.Arriving Passengers: After collecting your baggage, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the third level of the terminal, accessible via moving walkway. From there, board the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the Rental Car Center in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, the rental car agencies will be located to your right.

Departing Passengers: Please return your vehicle at the Rental Car Center before checking in for your departing flight. After returning your vehicle, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the fourth level of the facility. From there, board the MIA Mover to Miami International Airport. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the airport terminal in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, moving walkways to AA ticket counters and gates will be located to your right.

Animal Relief Areas:Coming soon!


MIA Parking
There are Valet and Garage parking options. Link for options, pricing, and maps

Accessible/Disabled Parking: Link

Cell Phone Waiting Lot: Link


MIA Transportation
Public Transportation: All buses and trains depart from Miami Central Station, which is co-located with the Rental Car Center and is accessible via the MIA Mover automated people mover. Link to map and directions to Miami Central StationMetrorail Orange Line to Dadeland South, serving Downtown Miami

Miami Beach Airport Express bus to Miami Beach

Metrobus routes 7, 37, 42, 57, J, 238/338 & 297

Tri-Rail commuter rail to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

Hotel Shuttles, Shared-Ride Vans, and Taxis: Link to area map and fare estimatesHotel shuttles pick up and drop off on the Departures (upper) level at Doors 3 & 7 at Concourse D; there are no designated stops at Concourses E-J

Super Shuttle shared-ride van service. Stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H.

Taxi stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H. Blue "Airport Region Taxi Service" taxis serve areas immediately adjacent to the airport. Yellow taxis serve all other areas.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are technically illegal at MIA but will accept pick-ups and drop-offs. There are no designated stops; however, rideshare drivers will generally pick up on the Arrivals (lower) level.

Intercity Bus: Buses depart from Miami Central Station. Link to map and directions to Miami Central StationGreyhound bus service throughout continental United States

megabus low-cost express bus service to Orlando and Tampa


Things to Do
Do I have time to go to Miami or Miami Beach?Downtown Miami Due to increased security checkpoint wait times, you should allow yourself at least 3 hours between connections if you do not have Priority or Pre✓. A taxi to the city center should take approximately 12-17 minutes and will cost approximately $22. Because traffic to and from the airport can be unpredictable, consider taking the Metrorail Orange Line in lieu of a taxi. It is a 15-minute ride from the airport to the city center and trains run every 10-15 minutes except late nights. A roundtrip is $4.50.

Miami Beach Allow at least 3½ hours between connections due to the possibility of heavy traffic on the highways between the beach and the mainland. A taxi to the beach should take approximately 22-27 minutes and will cost $35 (flat rate) if going south of 63rd Street. For reference, South Beach and most of the tourist spots are south of 23rd Street. Consider taking the 150 Miami Beach Airport Express bus from the airport to the beach. It is a 31-minute ride from the airport to the Lincoln Road Mall and buses run every 20 minutes. A roundtrip is $4.50.

Posts from 2015-2017 have been archived here.
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AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Nov 12, 2022, 5:58 pm
  #481  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by Harmoncove
GYE > MIA arrive 7:24pm. MIA > LGA departs 9:00pm. I have 1 hour and 36 minutes to make this flight. Do-able? Traveling in business. Any tips to lessen my anxiety is appreciated... Thx...
Originally Posted by wrp96
GE and carry on only.
And pre-check.

Assuming you are on time... and have GE + pre-check, you should be perfectly fine. Pick a business class seat close to the door to give yourself even more time.
Harmoncove likes this.
Global321 is offline  
Old Nov 12, 2022, 6:17 pm
  #482  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Posts: 204
Originally Posted by Global321
And pre-check.

Assuming you are on time... and have GE + pre-check, you should be perfectly fine. Pick a business class seat close to the door to give yourself even more time.
I ended up changing my flight so now I have 2 hrs and 20 min for the connection. With that being said, I do not have GE. Is it advantageous to use Mobile Passport to get through immigration quicker? Is it easy to find? Thanks....
Harmoncove is offline  
Old Nov 12, 2022, 6:29 pm
  #483  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by Harmoncove
I ended up changing my flight so now I have 2 hrs and 20 min for the connection. With that being said, I do not have GE. Is it advantageous to use Mobile Passport to get through immigration quicker? Is it easy to find? Thanks....
Without GE, 100% MP will be much faster than regular. In many cases MP is almost as fast as GE.

Yes, very easy to find, just follow the signs. If you miss the signs, just ask.
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Global321 is offline  
Old Nov 13, 2022, 5:15 am
  #484  
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida (USA)
Programs: AA EXP DL Plat BONVOY LT Plat
Posts: 148
Originally Posted by Global321
And pre-check.

Assuming you are on time... and have GE + pre-check, you should be perfectly fine. Pick a business class seat close to the door to give yourself even more time.
I agree with Global321 , if inbound is ontime, you will make your connection.
wrp96 and Harmoncove like this.
FLL88 is offline  
Old Nov 14, 2022, 7:50 pm
  #485  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
Originally Posted by Blumie
TSA recheck or TSA pre-check?!?!
Originally Posted by wrp96
GE and carry on only.
So what are the odds with checked bags, traveling in J? We have snorkel gear, and no options to rebook. We have GE. Should I start planning on an airport hotel? AA not responsible for an overnight stay/food/MIA-Home in J if we misconnect.
iplaybass is offline  
Old Nov 14, 2022, 7:56 pm
  #486  
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,735
Originally Posted by iplaybass
So what are the odds with checked bags, traveling in J? We have snorkel gear, and no options to rebook. We have GE. Should I start planning on an airport hotel? AA not responsible for an overnight stay/food/MIA-Home in J if we misconnect.

Just depends on how quick your bags come out. Mine came out very quickly on Saturday at MIA. Domestic arrival so no immigration to deal with but I was at my ride less than 30 minutes after arrival at gate D60 (including wheelchair assistance) I think don’t prebook a hotel but have a list of options in your mind just in case.
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Old Nov 15, 2022, 1:24 pm
  #487  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 272
Originally Posted by Harmoncove
So for my own knowledge (as I will be doing this in Feb on AA) you say there used to be a precheck line coming in from immigration/customs for connecting pax but it doesn't look like it is anymore? You say you can peek and see how long the recheck line is which is outside the immigration/customs area? If their is a line you say you down a ramp and take an elevator up to 2? and then walk down to the normal precheck? Hope I grasped this correctly.... Thx...
That's correct; I'd say going back as far as about a year they've blocked off what used to be the physical PreCheck line. To be fair, there technically is "precheck" there at the international recheck but it's the kind where they give you a blue card so that you can keep your shoes on but everything else seems to be the same as standard security (taking liquids out, laptops out, etc.).
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bscooter26 is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2022, 4:46 pm
  #488  
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
Can I make it?

Hello all,
Could you help me figure out if it is possible to make this connection?

International arriving flight (Sky Airline from LIM) at 6:55 (I believe I have to go through CBP in Central Terminal). I'm not a US citizen.
Connecting to Latam flight to PUJ departing at 10:05 on terminal J.

They're both international but in separate tickets meaning I have to check in with Latam there.
I could go without checked bags, but I think that would only work if there's a Latam check-in counter inside the terminal.

Any tip is very much appreciated.

*Trying to find the CBP wait times, I pulled a 3 month report from awt cbp gov and it shows no data for Central Terminal CBP between 700-800, but could not find their working hours.

Thanks!
Danielscl is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2022, 11:15 pm
  #489  
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida (USA)
Programs: AA EXP DL Plat BONVOY LT Plat
Posts: 148
Danielscl
I strongly suggest CARRY-ON Bags for this transit.
You will need to clear customs and then proceed to the LATAM Check-In counter
Then go through TSA security check-point to the LATAM gate for departure.

I do not believe MIA has ability to transit international flights withour clearing US Border control/customs
FLL88 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2022, 2:41 am
  #490  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,378
3 hrs and 10 mins. Mmmm. I’d say it’s borderline. Everybody seems to think MIA is a nightmare. My experiences on arriving and connecting (on through tickets) has been MAX 1hr and that’s when a lot of wide bodies arrive from Europe or arriving from Cancun between 12noon and 3pm.

if you can go carry on only I would. That would give you more of a buffer. Even with checked bags if your flight is on time, gets a gate your bags will probably be waiting for you. If you did have checked bags I’d ask if you can use that route as airlines have a counter to drop off checked bags and pick up boarding cards where these haven’t been printed or there’s been a misconnect.

When you land speak to the ground crew. The airlines and alliances have teams to help connecting passengers. Whilst you are taking a risk if the flight is delayed they can take you to t the front of CBP , check in and TSA queues. Rule,of thumb going forward book a through ticket. If this is prohibitive cost wise. Maybe allow more time or even overnight. Lots of airport hotels sub $100 I guess the implication is what if you don’t make that flight..
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KeaneJohn is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2022, 4:53 am
  #491  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Originally Posted by Danielscl
Hello all,
Could you help me figure out if it is possible to make this connection?

International arriving flight (Sky Airline from LIM) at 6:55 (I believe I have to go through CBP in Central Terminal). I'm not a US citizen.
Connecting to Latam flight to PUJ departing at 10:05 on terminal J.

They're both international but in separate tickets meaning I have to check in with Latam there.
I could go without checked bags, but I think that would only work if there's a Latam check-in counter inside the terminal.

Any tip is very much appreciated.

*Trying to find the CBP wait times, I pulled a 3 month report from awt cbp gov and it shows no data for Central Terminal CBP between 700-800, but could not find their working hours.

Thanks!
Depends on one's personality. For me this would be an easy connection. Under 2h I would get worried.. And probably yet make it. Specially if you are arriving at 7 am.
Vasco Pridat is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2022, 11:00 am
  #492  
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Originally Posted by FLL88
I do not believe MIA has ability to transit international flights withour clearing US Border control/customs
No US airport has sterile transit facilities for international-to-international connections without having to clear US passport control and customs.
TWA884 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2022, 9:03 pm
  #493  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,378
Originally Posted by TWA884
No US airport has sterile transit facilities for international-to-international connections without having to clear US passport control and customs.
This is correct but MIA is a designated airport for ITI International to International. If your airline participates in this and you are on a through ticket you only need to clear US CBP your bags if tagged by the airline properly will go on to your next flight and you don’t have to reclaim the, clear customs and go to transfer bag drop after clearing immigration. Don’t know which airlines participate but AA and BA/AA through itineraries are done ITi and tagged accordingly at origins with no prompting.
KeaneJohn is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2022, 7:16 am
  #494  
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
Thank you all for the advice. Sadly ITI is not an option for me as I would be flying different airlines with different tickets, so I must check in with Latam on arrival. So considering that I will probably take a later (and way more expensive flight) or spend the night close to the airport, if its cheaper that way.
Danielscl is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2022, 6:13 pm
  #495  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ILM/STT
Programs: AA Exp, Admirals Club
Posts: 192
Hey y’all.

I haven’t flown via MIA in a while. Where is the TSA Precheck main line?

I recall getting mixed up in the not precheck line last year and being pulled aside for my laptop. Would like to avoid that. Thank you for your help.
onanisland is offline  


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