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

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Old Oct 17, 2016, 10:22 am
  #241  
abk
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
Two hours will work if all goes according to plan especially if you are not checking bags. My experience with delayed flights in MIA is that you will be on your own. IMHO you should not expect it to be organized to the point that there will be anybody meeting your flight with new boarding cards and when you exit customs be prepared for a true third world experience as opposed to a nice organized rebooking desk. When this has happened to me I have rebooked over the phone and then made my own way to a hotel as it was easier than trying to get AA to help me.
abk is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2016, 7:17 am
  #242  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: CRP, Texas, AA 2MM, Plat
Posts: 430
We have one hour to connect from STX (St. Croix USVI) to a BOS flight. Is that enough time?

Have not been through MIA airport in years. Assuming worst case scenario, say we arrive at D1 and depart from D55, is it better to walk (1 mile?) or take the Skytrain? I assume the Skytrain is something like the DFW Skylink? Are there moving sidewalks in the event we walk from gate to gate?
scubamom is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2016, 7:51 am
  #243  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Originally Posted by scubamom
We have one hour to connect from STX (St. Croix USVI) to a BOS flight. Is that enough time?

Have not been through MIA airport in years. Assuming worst case scenario, say we arrive at D1 and depart from D55, is it better to walk (1 mile?) or take the Skytrain? I assume the Skytrain is something like the DFW Skylink? Are there moving sidewalks in the event we walk from gate to gate?
You can easily make any dom-dom connection at MIA with an hour and even a bit less. I'm OK with scheduling connections as short as 50 minutes as long as it's early in the day and there are alternatives if the incoming flight is late. The worst connection would be from the low D gates to the high E gates, and I you could cover that distance in no more than 25 minutes walking at normal pace and using the trains. Going from one end of D to the other should take 15 to 20 minutes.

There are a few moving sidewalks down at the low D gates, but they are short so don't have much affect on your transit time. They are often out of service as well.

If I had to go between the low D's and high D's I would take the Skytrain unless I was in the mood to walk. Going the length of the terminal should take about 15 minutes with the train, and about 20 minutes at a normal walking pace.
coolcoil is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2016, 4:47 pm
  #244  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: CRP, Texas, AA 2MM, Plat
Posts: 430
Many thanks... good info for our family of six.
scubamom is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2016, 5:35 pm
  #245  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Wiki updated to reflect establishment of new Cuba desk.
ThreeJulietTango is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2016, 9:19 am
  #246  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 702
AA changed our flight times (both inbound and outbound) taking our PHL-MIA to Antigua connection from nearly two hours to 55 minutes. Does the below advice still hold true?


Originally Posted by coolcoil
You can easily make any dom-dom connection at MIA with an hour and even a bit less. I'm OK with scheduling connections as short as 50 minutes as long as it's early in the day and there are alternatives if the incoming flight is late. The worst connection would be from the low D gates to the high E gates, and I you could cover that distance in no more than 25 minutes walking at normal pace and using the trains. Going from one end of D to the other should take 15 to 20 minutes.

There are a few moving sidewalks down at the low D gates, but they are short so don't have much affect on your transit time. They are often out of service as well.

If I had to go between the low D's and high D's I would take the Skytrain unless I was in the mood to walk. Going the length of the terminal should take about 15 minutes with the train, and about 20 minutes at a normal walking pace.
Lovethecabin is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2016, 9:23 am
  #247  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: DL DM, TK Elite (*Gold), AA EXP (matched and prob not for long!)
Posts: 251
Originally Posted by ThreeJulietTango
Wiki updated to reflect establishment of new Cuba desk.
Does anyone have any experience checking in at MIA for AA Cuba flights? They say we should check-in 3 hours in advance, and after witnessing the Jetblue Cuba flights check-in area at FLL jam packed with a line out the door, I am starting to believe it. Does anyone know if AA at MIA has priority check-in lines for Cuba flights?
dmorbust is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2016, 10:53 am
  #248  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Originally Posted by Lovethecabin
AA changed our flight times (both inbound and outbound) taking our PHL-MIA to Antigua connection from nearly two hours to 55 minutes. Does the below advice still hold true?
Yes. I would be a bit concerned at this time of year only because with winter weather the risk of a delay out of PHL is a bit elevated. If I were presented with this I would consider asking to change to an earlier flight from PHL if that is available. If nothing better is available, then I would proceed with the knowledge that the risk of a misconnect is pretty small.
coolcoil is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2016, 11:48 am
  #249  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 702
Originally Posted by coolcoil
Yes. I would be a bit concerned at this time of year only because with winter weather the risk of a delay out of PHL is a bit elevated. If I were presented with this I would consider asking to change to an earlier flight from PHL if that is available. If nothing better is available, then I would proceed with the knowledge that the risk of a misconnect is pretty small.
Unfortunately, no earlier flights offered. I will consider back up plans if the weather looks bad that day.
Lovethecabin is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2016, 9:14 am
  #250  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 26
Priority Pass @ MIA.

Any recommendations on which priority pass lounge to use Sunday morning between 10am and 1pm?
  • Club America
    Concourse F
  • Avianca VIP Lounge
    Concourse J South
  • VIP Lounge Miami
    Concourse J South
Thanks.
Tt44159 is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2016, 11:21 pm
  #251  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Originally Posted by Tt44159
Any recommendations on which priority pass lounge to use Sunday morning between 10am and 1pm?
  • Club America
    Concourse F
  • Avianca VIP Lounge
    Concourse J South
  • VIP Lounge Miami
    Concourse J South
Thanks.
Since you posted this on the AA forum, I have to ask: are you flying AA? If so, none of those options are available to you.
Djokison is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2016, 6:59 am
  #252  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Djokison
Since you posted this on the AA forum, I have to ask: are you flying AA? If so, none of those options are available to you.
That would be correct.
Tt44159 is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2016, 7:20 am
  #253  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Originally Posted by Tt44159
That would be correct.
The AA concourses D and E aren't connected to F, G, H and J, so you wouldn't be able to physically get there.
Djokison is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2016, 9:33 am
  #254  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Djokison
The AA concourses D and E aren't connected to F, G, H and J, so you wouldn't be able to physically get there.
That would make sense after looking at the map. It certainly wouldn't be worth going through security again for any of those. Thank you for the quick response Djokison.
Tt44159 is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2016, 10:43 am
  #255  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 993
Originally Posted by Tt44159
That would make sense after looking at the map. It certainly wouldn't be worth going through security again for any of those. Thank you for the quick response Djokison.
Not even sure they will let you go thru security for non AA concourse even if you want to. Your boarding pass will not match the concourse.
qazw1 is offline  


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