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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 2, 2019, 4:39 pm
  #61  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by pjs
Hi all,

Wife and I flying Iberia MIA-MAD in biz end of the month at 5:20pm. We arrive from ATL (separate ticket on DL) around 1:30pm. Plan to walk over and check bags with Iberia in E. 1) Should we go through security at E or D (pre-check)? 2) Should we go to Premium lounge in E or Flagship in D?

Thx
I would not expect Iberia to be open for checkin until 2:20... 3 hours before departure.
If you have pre-check - 100% use pre-check, unless there is no line. The just get past security asap.
1,000,000% choose FL over the premium lounge with that much time to kill.
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Old May 2, 2019, 5:10 pm
  #62  
pjs
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Originally Posted by Global321
I would not expect Iberia to be open for checkin until 2:20... 3 hours before departure.
If you have pre-check - 100% use pre-check, unless there is no line. The just get past security asap.
1,000,000% choose FL over the premium lounge with that much time to kill.
Thanks. If there’s an earlier Iberia flight, won’t they be open for that?
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Old May 2, 2019, 5:30 pm
  #63  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by pjs


Thanks. If there’s an earlier Iberia flight, won’t they be open for that?
Yes, if they did. However, I believe yours is the first IB flight of the day.
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Old May 2, 2019, 5:35 pm
  #64  
pjs
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Originally Posted by Global321
Yes, if they did. However, I believe yours is the first IB flight of the day.
Just checked and you are correct but we don’t actually land in MIA until 1:45 so by the time we get bags and walk over from DL, it will probably be almost 2:20. Thanks again for your help.
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Old May 5, 2019, 1:56 pm
  #65  
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2
I'm flying on 31st may LHR to STI via MIA.
arriving at 18:30, connection waiting time of 3:40hours.
Will this be enough time ? I have ESTA but have never been to the USA. So I have heard of these kiosks on the forum, will I be able to use this?
Also will I have to pick up my luggage and recheck it for my next flight? My flights are booked with AA but I'm flying BA LHR to MIA.

One more question, will I have to go to another terminal and is it far?

Thank you in advance
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Old May 5, 2019, 2:22 pm
  #66  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by Shaunai
I'm flying on 31st may LHR to STI via MIA.
arriving at 18:30, connection waiting time of 3:40hours.
Will this be enough time ? I have ESTA but have never been to the USA. So I have heard of these kiosks on the forum, will I be able to use this?
Also will I have to pick up my luggage and recheck it for my next flight? My flights are booked with AA but I'm flying BA LHR to MIA.

One more question, will I have to go to another terminal and is it far?

Thank you in advance
Welcome to FlyerTalk.

3:40 should be plenty of time. If you’re arriving and departing you’ll be at the North Terminal (blue area below).


As you’re travelling international to international, you should ask at checkin at LHR to have your baggage tagged “ITI”, in which case it will be delivered to you at STI. You will still have to process immigration and go landside, necessitating following the track back through security airside. You’ll probably be able to use the Automated Passport Control kiosks if you’re a passport holder from a visa waiver country.

HOW DOES APC WORK?

Instead of filling out a paper Customs declaration form, eligible passengers can proceed directly to the APC kiosks in the passport control area. Travelers are prompted to scan their passport, take a photograph using the kiosk, and answer a series of CBP inspection related questions verifying biographic and flight information. Once passengers have completed the series of questions, a receipt will be issued. Travelers then bring their passport and receipt to a CBP Officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States. The kiosks allow people residing at the same address to be processed together. link

See the expandable Wikipost at the top of the page for maps, information, etc.
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Old May 7, 2019, 12:20 pm
  #67  
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2
Thank you so much!!
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 6:42 pm
  #68  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 760
Is 2 hours sufficient to transfer from Avianca (arriving from BOG to terminal J) to AA (terminal D or E)? Will have carry on only and GE. Saturday afternoon in October around 5-7pm timeframe. Thanks.
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 6:47 pm
  #69  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by whistler814
Is 2 hours sufficient to transfer from Avianca (arriving from BOG to terminal J) to AA (terminal D or E)? Will have carry on only and GE. Saturday afternoon in October around 5-7pm timeframe. Thanks.
On time, yes, should not be too much trouble. Should even have time to visit the lounge for a little.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 4:48 am
  #70  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Originally Posted by whistler814
Is 2 hours sufficient to transfer from Avianca (arriving from BOG to terminal J) to AA (terminal D or E)? Will have carry on only and GE. Saturday afternoon in October around 5-7pm timeframe. Thanks.
I agree that it is plenty of time. It is a long hike to get to the Pre-Check entrance for terminal D. If your departing gate is D26 or above, in the E Terminal, or you plan to go to the FL/D30 AAdmirals Club, consider entering at E Terminal security even though they do not have Pre-Check. They will give you the Pre- privileges with the exception that you have to remove your laptop and large tablets. It will save you a lot of walking.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 8:31 am
  #71  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Originally Posted by coolcoil
I agree that it is plenty of time. It is a long hike to get to the Pre-Check entrance for terminal D. If your departing gate is D26 or above, in the E Terminal, or you plan to go to the FL/D30 AAdmirals Club, consider entering at E Terminal security even though they do not have Pre-Check. They will give you the Pre- privileges with the exception that you have to remove your laptop and large tablets. It will save you a lot of walking.
Also if you have CLEAR, that's where the CLEAR checkpoint is. You can also use the E Admirals Club, which is nicer than an average AC (but not as nice as the FL).
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Old Jul 12, 2019, 7:07 pm
  #72  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA Exp. Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum.
Posts: 1,186
I have a connection dilemma at MIA and am looking for suggestions. I am joining friends on an international vacation and I was asked after they had booked their flights so I wanted to fly with them. I could not get the website to offer the return flights they were on so I called and booked over the phone with the Exec Plat line. Fast forward one week after booking and I get a schedule change email pushing me to a later flight out of Miami:

Original booking :

GGT 4:38pm departure / arrive MIA 5:47pm AA4673
MIA 7:09 PM departure / arrive DFW 9:13pm AA2524

new schedule:
GGT 4:38pm departure / arrive MIA 5:47pm AA4673
MIA 10:55pm departure / arrive DFW 12:58am AA2049

I called and was told that the minimum connection time in Miami is 90 minutes so they couldnt change it back and it should not have been booked that way. My frustration is I paid almost 200$ per person MORE to be on the earlier flight compared to the 10:55pm departure and I would NOT have booked a 5 hour layover in MIA. I had the option of connecting in Charlotte when I booked with a reasonable connection time and also at the lower price but simply opted for the flights that matched our friends. The Charlotte flight is now sold out in both classes. My friends have not been moved off the earlier flight. Do I have any recourse at all?

As an aside I am global entry and will only have a carry on.
MorganB is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2019, 8:14 pm
  #73  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
AA probably won’t go below the MCT. You could try to go standby once you arrive in MIA.
MiamiAirport Formerly NY George is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 4:36 pm
  #74  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
I am trying to fly from MEX-ATL on AA through MIA on a Monday night. The incoming flight comes in at 8:50pm and I have the possibility to book a separate ticket for MIA-ATL on AA leaving at 9:55pm. Is there any chance of making the connection at all or am I totally crazy for even trying? I do have Global Entry and TSA Pre as well as Clear. I will not have any checked bags.

Last edited by expressboy; Aug 14, 2019 at 4:54 pm
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Old Aug 14, 2019, 4:51 pm
  #75  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA Exp. Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum.
Posts: 1,186
Originally Posted by expressboy
I am trying to fly from MEX-ATL on AA through MIA on a Monday night. The incoming flight comes in at 8:50pm and I have the possibility to book a separate ticket for MIA-ATL on AA leaving at 9:55pm. Is there any chance of making the connection at all or am I totally crazy for even trying? I do have Global Entry and TSA Pre as well as Clear. I will not have any checked bags. The other option is Spirit leaving an hour later and I would like to avoid it as much as possible.
I think you can make the 9:55pm IF there isn't much wait anywhere and you can walk fast. I made a connection recently on a Thursday at around 4 pm in MIA, international to domestic, no checked bags, TSA-Pre and Global Entry. Connection involved taking a tram from the terminal I arrived in to the international terminal, lots and lots of walking in the International terminal, no wait at the Global Entry Kiosk or for an agent to take the global entry receipt and basically no wait to go back through security (TSA-Pre line was closed). Total time from stepping off the plane to my gate was 35 mins. I did not have to change terminals a second time as my departure terminal was connected to the international arrivals terminal. So 35 minutes is the minimum time if zero wait anywhere and you don't have to take further transit after clearing passport and security.
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