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ARCHIVE: 2015-19 AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Jan 7, 2019, 11:20 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

The current thread is here.
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



AA Ticket Counter & Gates Map

Official MCT / 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?

AA Wiki: Minimum Connecting Times

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
MIA 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
  • airberlin ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights to Dusseldorf depart from Gate E10 and flights to Berlin depart from Concourse F
  • 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 Concourse F
  • Iberia ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 13 & 14; flights depart from Gate E23
  • Qatar 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
  • airberlin ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights to Dusseldorf depart from Gate E10 and flights to Berlin depart from Concourse F
  • 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 Concourse F
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F

Concourse G: Gates G2-G19

Concourse H: Gates H3-H17
  • LATAM Airlines ticket counter is located at Concourse H, Doors 24-26; flights depart from Concourses H & J

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)
  • LATAM Airlines ticket counter is located at Concourse H, Doors 24-26; flights depart from Concourses H & J

Checking in at MIA Link

Flagship Check-in: Yes

Arrival at the Airport

Longer security lines this spring & summer

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

Future Ticketing: located on Arrivals (lower) level, next to Carousel 27 Permanently closed
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

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 MIA
Concourse D: Admirals Clubs above Gate D15 and across from Gate D30; Centurion Lounge at Gate D12 (take elevator in rotunda to Level 3)

Concourse E: Premium Lounge (take elevators just beyond security checkpoint to Level 5)
Dining & Shopping: Link to MIA services, dining guide, and interactive map

On-Airport Hotel:
Miami International Airport Hotel (landside, Concourse E)
Currency Exchange: Coming soon!

Wi-Fi:
Paid WI-Fi service available throughout terminal. Link to pricing information and connection instructions
Charging Stations:
Coming soon!
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 Station
Metrorail 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 estimates
Hotel 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 Station
Greyhound bus service throughout continental United States

megabus low-cost express bus service to Orlando and Tampa

Things to Do

Is there anything to do at MIA? Coming soon!

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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ARCHIVE: 2015-19 AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Feb 17, 2019, 8:22 am
  #541  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 552
Originally Posted by mendezka
Potentially booking a Saver reward in APR. With the 1 hour layover in MIA, would it be possible to catch the int flight out to Chile?
Would not like the DAL-DFW connection. Have you looked at SFO-LAX-SCL, with LAX-SCL on LATAM?
dc10forlife is offline  
Old Feb 18, 2019, 7:07 pm
  #542  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV,JAX
Programs: AA-LT Gold 1.2MM ,DL, Marriott LT TITANIUM; HH Gold, AMEX PLT
Posts: 495
Schedule change now has us arriving in MIA AT 7:55 pm from BGI and connecting to MIA-JAX at 9:34pm. What are the odds of making the connection? We have booked 5* service since we do have one person in our party who is mobility impaired.
tbrein is offline  
Old Feb 18, 2019, 8:56 pm
  #543  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by tbrein
Schedule change now has us arriving in MIA AT 7:55 pm from BGI and connecting to MIA-JAX at 9:34pm. What are the odds of making the connection? We have booked 5* service since we do have one person in our party who is mobility impaired.
With 5* service and on time arrival, no problem. Even with a slight delay, you should be fine.
Global321 is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 8:18 am
  #544  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Programs: AA EXP; United 1K, Delta, IHG Plat Amb, PE, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 749
places to sit outside?

I've been going through MIA for years and plenty of long layovers but thought it was time to check and see if there were places I've missed - especially places to sit outside (I really miss the pool at the MIA hotel).
I have access to quite a few lounges (including AA Flagship, Centurion, PP lounges) and we have often walked outside across the street from baggage claim and sat in the little concrete "park" area BUT is there anywhere else to sit outside if the weather is nice without going completely offsite? any lounge have an open area?
Does the hotel even have any outside area now?
Thoughts?

TIA,
AJ
aj411 is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 9:41 am
  #545  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by aj411
I've been going through MIA for years and plenty of long layovers but thought it was time to check and see if there were places I've missed - especially places to sit outside (I really miss the pool at the MIA hotel).
I have access to quite a few lounges (including AA Flagship, Centurion, PP lounges) and we have often walked outside across the street from baggage claim and sat in the little concrete "park" area BUT is there anywhere else to sit outside if the weather is nice without going completely offsite? any lounge have an open area?
Does the hotel even have any outside area now?
Thoughts?

TIA,
AJ
There are some small green spaces in front of the parking ramps, but that may be what you were talking about already.
The rental car center has some green spaces, as does the Sheraton across the street. (In the back facing the golf course.)

But not sure it is worth the effort.
Global321 is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 11:29 am
  #546  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 234
I am flying on flight AA1511 (Miami-Santo Domingo). Am I free to walk around in all terminals before my flight? Do I need to go through a lot of security checks and passport controls if I want to go to other terminals?

Last edited by drvb; Mar 9, 2019 at 11:48 am
drvb is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 12:42 pm
  #547  
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Originally Posted by drvb
I am flying on flight AA1511 (Miami-Santo Domingo). Am I free to walk around in all terminals before my flight? Do I need to go through a lot of security checks and passport controls if I want to go to other terminals?
Not all concourses are connected requiring a trip through Security. AA goes out of D and E, which are connected. There's not much to see in the terminal.
MiamiAirport Formerly NY George is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 2:05 pm
  #548  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
Originally Posted by drvb
I am flying on flight AA1511 (Miami-Santo Domingo). Am I free to walk around in all terminals before my flight? Do I need to go through a lot of security checks and passport controls if I want to go to other terminals?
AA flights operate out of terminals D and E, which are connected airside (inside of security), so you can walk around in those terminals. E is like an 80’s time warp, more interesting stuff in D.

SouthernCross is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2019, 10:41 am
  #549  
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: WOH - Globalist, HHonors - Gold, Marriott - Gold
Posts: 244
AA changed the schedule for AA318 (SKB-MIA) to arrive an hour later than originally scheduled, now leaving me with 1:37 hr connection to my flight to ORD (also AA, but a different PNR). This is on a Sunday evening (7 pm-ish) - would this be a realistic connection with Global Entry? I will have checked luggage to claim and re-check. Seeing how these are different PNRs, I assume I will need to go back to the Departures area to check in for my Chicago flight (it is in Domestic First, which I hope will expedite check-in).
sch_flyer is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2019, 2:10 pm
  #550  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ/YTZ/YUL
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 1,558
Originally Posted by sch_flyer
AA changed the schedule for AA318 (SKB-MIA) to arrive an hour later than originally scheduled, now leaving me with 1:37 hr connection to my flight to ORD (also AA, but a different PNR). This is on a Sunday evening (7 pm-ish) - would this be a realistic connection with Global Entry? I will have checked luggage to claim and re-check. Seeing how these are different PNRs, I assume I will need to go back to the Departures area to check in for my Chicago flight (it is in Domestic First, which I hope will expedite check-in).
Yes, you would need to go up and re-check your bag.

That's not your main problem, though, I'd say it adds about 10-15 minutes as long as you make sure to go to the priority check-in.

Your main problem is that you need to wait for the bag to come out, which at MIA can take forever. In my recent experience, bags tend to come out about an hour after the aircraft landed, but I might just have been unlucky.

You still have a good chance of making it, but you can't afford much to go wrong. Worth noting that AA would rebook you (even on separate tickets), but wouldn't usually pay for the overnight stay you'd presumably need.
TravellingSalesman is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2019, 5:42 pm
  #551  
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: WOH - Globalist, HHonors - Gold, Marriott - Gold
Posts: 244
Originally Posted by TravellingSalesman
Your main problem is that you need to wait for the bag to come out, which at MIA can take forever. In my recent experience, bags tend to come out about an hour after the aircraft landed, but I might just have been unlucky.
Sounds like I have to travel light then! Carry-on and a backpack it is. Without waiting for bags, this should be doable, right? Is there a way to stay airside from international arrivals?
sch_flyer is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2019, 6:52 pm
  #552  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Originally Posted by sch_flyer
Sounds like I have to travel light then! Carry-on and a backpack it is. Without waiting for bags, this should be doable, right? Is there a way to stay airside from international arrivals?
No - you have to go through security. There is a security line, usually with PreCheck open, dedicated to int'l arrivals. I have Global Entry and Pre-Check. In my experience, from the time the door opens onto the Jetway at arrival to when I am through security:
  • No checked bag: 20 to 30 min
  • Checked bag: 40 to 60 min.
I think it's likely that you will be fine unless your plane is late by more than 30 minutes if you don't have checked bags.
coolcoil is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2019, 10:06 pm
  #553  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by sch_flyer
Sounds like I have to travel light then! Carry-on and a backpack it is. Without waiting for bags, this should be doable, right? Is there a way to stay airside from international arrivals?
You cannot stay airside from international arrivals, pre-clearance flights, excepted.

No checked bags, global entry, pre-check and no or just a little delay... no problem.
Global321 is offline  
Old Mar 11, 2019, 5:26 am
  #554  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
The renovated Admirals Club around gate D30 or so is really nice!
ibrandsguest is offline  
Old Mar 11, 2019, 5:58 am
  #555  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Originally Posted by Global321
No checked bags, global entry, pre-check and no or just a little delay... no problem.
I take it you haven't run into one of the evening MIA pre check lines that snakes 100 yards into the terminal? Oh, maybe you have CLEAR? Perfect, just head a few minutes north to the E checkpoint. But wait, there is no pre there. So have fun in the island time security line with every other bag getting a manual inspection. Point being, nothing is ever certain in MIA...

Originally Posted by NYCommuter
The renovated Admirals Club around gate D30 or so is really nice!
The one in E, with a full self-pour, top-shelf bar and a decent buffet is better in opinion, but let's keep that to ourselves.
arlflyer is offline  


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