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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 May 24, 2021, 2:16 am
  #256  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philly
Programs: AA, BA, NH, TP
Posts: 738
Originally Posted by Seat 1K
Many thanks for all the advice. Yes, this is one ticket. BA rebooked it given a cancellation. My status is gold guest list for life - am told that’s an equivalent to CK. thanks all!
BA GGL and BAGGLfL are treated by AA as BAVIPs but I would not assume you will always be met - MIA with all the Int flights to South America is CK heavy who will get priority over BA GGL - I have been told that by AA MIA premium services.
You may have bad weather (summer thunderstorms) and also as it’s a flight to UK there could well be a document check depending where you are coming from. Also I have done a few MIA-LHR’s on AA and they have all been on the low D number gates- one end of the terminal - if your flight arrives at High D’s or E gates you will be pushed for time.

As you are BAGGL for life (and BA canx your flight in F) - can you ask BA to meet you off your inbound flight to MIA?
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Old May 24, 2021, 3:03 am
  #257  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,233
Originally Posted by mvoight
Airlines can book a time below MCT?
well my experience with the BA changes are that they may change one flight, but not consider moving the connecting flights. a few times a BA change resulted in arriving after the connecting flight departed, but the connection was left unchanged and this was on both BA/BA and BA/AA itins.

im sure it would have been sorted eventually, but thats why its important to keep an eye on any changes, which i think most of us here do!
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Old May 24, 2021, 10:53 am
  #258  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA GGLFL, LH Sen, Alitalia Platinum, Hilton Plat, SPG / Marriott / Carlsson Gold
Posts: 259
Update …

BA has refused point blank to change our feeder flight from DCA into MIA. They tell me the MCT is 45 mins and apparently we have 52 (not 40) minutes. So I guess we just have to roll the dice.

Great suggestion that we ask BA to meet us, will follow up on that.

Thank you AA crowd!

1K
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Old May 24, 2021, 12:14 pm
  #259  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Originally Posted by nachosdelux
... AA treats BA GGL as CK when it comes to premium services such as cart rides, premium agent meet/greet, etc.
AA sometimes treats BA GGL as CK... It cannot be relied upon.
golfmad is offline  
Old May 24, 2021, 1:07 pm
  #260  
 
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 JJeffrey
Well the minimum connect time at MIA for domestic to international is 45 mins.
I was just going to ask if 56 minutes domestic to Caribbean was a reasonable connect time. There's always a difference between MCT and what is reasonable. Asking for friends traveling MCI-SXM in Feb. Arriving 9:34am, leave 10:30. They have a higher tolerance for risk than I do-I wouldn't consider anything less than 1:30 for a connection in MIA without a later flight to the destination. TIA!
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Old May 24, 2021, 1:15 pm
  #261  
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Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Originally Posted by iplaybass
I was just going to ask if 56 minutes domestic to Caribbean was a reasonable connect time. There's always a difference between MCT and what is reasonable. Asking for friends traveling MCI-SXM in Feb. Arriving 9:34am, leave 10:30. They have a higher tolerance for risk than I do-I wouldn't consider anything less than 1:30 for a connection in MIA without a later flight to the destination. TIA!
That should be doable for that time of morning. MIA is much more congested at night. That being said one hour is generally my least acceptable connection time at a large hub other than PHX.
MiamiAirport Formerly NY George is offline  
Old May 27, 2021, 10:18 am
  #262  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA GGLFL, LH Sen, Alitalia Platinum, Hilton Plat, SPG / Marriott / Carlsson Gold
Posts: 259
UPDATE …

Asked BA to move us to the earlier feeder flight ex DCA. They came back and said the cost of doing that would be £6,658 each! Extraordinary. So declined this ‘offer’ and asked for Concorde Team / SS to provide assistance, but now told BA has no such team in place at Miami at this time. So I guess we will just have to sprint for it … !
Seat 1K is offline  
Old May 27, 2021, 10:23 am
  #263  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Originally Posted by Seat 1K
Asked BA to move us to the earlier feeder flight ex DCA. They came back and said the cost of doing that would be £6,658 each! Extraordinary. So declined this ‘offer’ and asked for Concorde Team / SS to provide assistance, but now told BA has no such team in place at Miami at this time. So I guess we will just have to sprint for it … !
You're arriving in AA first and you have 52 minutes. Assuming the flight is on time you will have bags of time to make your connection. I really wouldn't be too concerned about it.
golfmad is offline  
Old May 28, 2021, 12:41 am
  #264  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Originally Posted by golfmad
You're arriving in AA first and you have 52 minutes. Assuming the flight is on time you will have bags of time to make your connection. I really wouldn't be too concerned about it.
52 minutes is slightly better than the originally quoted 40 minute connection. Still, NOT something I'd recommend or try with a summertime afternoon international connection in MIA. I've been traveling through MIA on AA for 20 years, and I would definitely be concerned about this connection. YMMV.

-FlyerBeek
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Old May 28, 2021, 4:41 am
  #265  
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Originally Posted by ajf87
This is a complete threadjack but how does one acquire the ultimate award travel hack of a pilot P2?
I think George Clooney did it once. He was excited; all up in the air about it.
silverthief2 and ajf87 like this.

Last edited by mvoight; May 28, 2021 at 4:47 am
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Old May 28, 2021, 7:40 am
  #266  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Originally Posted by FlyerBeek
52 minutes is slightly better than the originally quoted 40 minute connection. Still, NOT something I'd recommend or try with a summertime afternoon international connection in MIA. I've been traveling through MIA on AA for 20 years, and I would definitely be concerned about this connection. YMMV.

-FlyerBeek
I prefaced my comment by saying 'assuming the flight is on time' so that takes care of any weather delays. If the flight is on time the OP will be out of the aircraft moments after the doors open leaving plenty of time to get from gate to gate. If the flight is not on time all bets are off. I would accept this risk provided that (a) I had a backup plan or (b) it didn't matter too much if I had to wait 12-24 hours for another flight. This isn't my first rodeo through MIA either.
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Old May 28, 2021, 8:28 am
  #267  
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Definitely not "plenty of time" unless the OP's flight from DCA is early. Likely the flight from DCA will come into D (maybe OP will get lucky and the flight will come into E gates). If it's lower D even with the Skytrain the schlep to E, particularly if it's the satellite gates. Remember even if the flight from DCA pulls up to the gate right on schedule it can be another 5 minutes before the OP is actually exiting the a/c (jet bridge operations at MIA are very slow). With a 52 minute connection the "minutes" matter.
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MiamiAirport Formerly NY George is offline  
Old May 28, 2021, 8:40 am
  #268  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Originally Posted by MiamiAirport Formerly NY George
Definitely not "plenty of time" unless the OP's flight from DCA is early. Likely the flight from DCA will come into D (maybe OP will get lucky and the flight will come into E gates). If it's lower D even with the Skytrain the schlep to E, particularly if it's the satellite gates. Remember even if the flight from DCA pulls up to the gate right on schedule it can be another 5 minutes before the OP is actually exiting the a/c (jet bridge operations at MIA are very slow). With a 52 minute connection the "minutes" matter.
The OP is on the AA flight to LHR not the BA flight. AA flights to LHR are more likely to depart from the D gates whereas the BA flights are more likely to depart from the E gates.
ISTFlyer likes this.
golfmad is offline  
Old May 28, 2021, 8:42 am
  #269  
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Originally Posted by golfmad
The OP is on the AA flight to LHR not the BA flight. AA flights to LHR are more likely to depart from the D gates whereas the BA flights are more likely to depart from the E gates.
Exactly, the AA service to LHR from MIA usually departs somewhere close to the AC/FL near D30. I haven't seen that flight departing from low D or high D gates either. It generally departs from mid D gates.
golfmad likes this.
ISTFlyer is offline  
Old Jun 14, 2021, 12:32 pm
  #270  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA GGLFL, LH Sen, Alitalia Platinum, Hilton Plat, SPG / Marriott / Carlsson Gold
Posts: 259
UPDATE …

Yesterday morning I received an alert from AA to say our DCA/MIA sector was delayed by an hour. Called AA and was routed through to ExP desk. Offered coach flights to MCO and then onto MIA. We spent more than five hours in coach seats and it was stressful and meant we missed lunch with friends in DC. Cross with BA for not switching us to the earlier flight …
Seat 1K is offline  


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