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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 May 22, 2018, 9:44 pm
  #406  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by EQDsSUCK
Flying TGU-MIA-DCA on Thursday. Trying to get on earlier flights for each to arrive into DCA earlier. Its seems there are seats on each flight.

As a platinum, how likely is it that AA will put me on the earlier flights gratis. They will do it at the airport in TGU, not before? Is there a chance they will confirm me on the earlier MIA-DCA flight at TGU airport desk or will I have to wait until I get to MIA to see if they will put me on that flight?

And the real question----Can I make a connection if I arrive internationally into MIA at 444pm and want to get on a plane to DCA at 550pm?
Will you have checked luggage that you have to claim and recheck, then go back through security yourself? I don't think you'll make it.

If no checked baggage, download the "Mobile Passport" app for your phone.....it makes the whole process a lot faster.......unless you are entering customs at LAX, where the entire passport verification system regularly gets overloaded and goes down or literally crawls.
jcatman is offline  
Old May 22, 2018, 10:20 pm
  #407  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 532
Have Mobile Passport and Global Entry. Am checking luggage. Thanks for your input on trouble making that 1:06 connection.
EQDsSUCK is offline  
Old May 22, 2018, 10:45 pm
  #408  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: YYZ/YHM/BUF
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold, MR Plat
Posts: 4,212
That's incredibly tight with checked baggage, even with using Mobile Passport app. You will avoid any customs lines with the app, but the wait for baggage at MIA customs can take a while.
FlyerAl is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 5:06 am
  #409  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 532
Originally Posted by FlyerAl
That's incredibly tight with checked baggage, even with using Mobile Passport app. You will avoid any customs lines with the app, but the wait for baggage at MIA customs can take a while.
Thanks!
EQDsSUCK is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 5:36 am
  #410  
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Advanced Search on 'mia', 'mct' finds this thread with Wiki that states minimum connect times.

AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.
3Cforme is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 5:52 am
  #411  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
Originally Posted by EQDsSUCK
Have Mobile Passport and Global Entry. Am checking luggage. Thanks for your input on trouble making that 1:06 connection.
If you were carrying on with Global Entry, you would probably make it but with checked bag at MIA, no way.
miadukes is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 6:01 am
  #412  
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I would not make this change at TGW. Instead, try this:

1. Your bag will be checked through from TGW-DCA (presuming one ticket).
2. Post CBP at MIA, make a judgment call. If making the earlier DCA flight is out of the question, forget it and drop your bag. On the other hand, if you are in good time or the DCA flight is delayed, ask AA to make the change and have them retag the bag to the earlier flight. Don't use jargon such as SDC, simply ask whether they can get you on the earlier flight. Sometimes you will be quoted some figure and you may make a judgment call. Sometimes, you will simply be handed a new BP.
Often1 is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 7:26 am
  #413  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Also, if you have Global Entry, do not use the mobile passport app. When the mobile passport app first came out, I thought it would expedite Global Entry even further. Instead it blocked everything so the global entry would not work.

and as others have said, I don't think you'll make the connection with a check bag unless your flight arrives to Miami pretty early.
C17PSGR is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 7:32 am
  #414  
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Originally Posted by EQDsSUCK
Have Mobile Passport and Global Entry. Am checking luggage. Thanks for your input on trouble making that 1:06 connection.
What is the benefit to have both? Doesn't Global Entry get you the same speed or better than MP?
I am curious, because I generally get precheck when traveling alone on AA and Mobile Passport speeds me through Immigration and Customs in MIA
mvoight is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 8:25 am
  #415  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
Originally Posted by FlyerAl
That's incredibly tight with checked baggage, even with using Mobile Passport app. You will avoid any customs lines with the app, but the wait for baggage at MIA customs can take a while.
+1000; I've seen the line at customs (not immigration) take 30 minutes.
bosman is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 9:35 am
  #416  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
Originally Posted by C17PSGR
Also, if you have Global Entry, do not use the mobile passport app. When the mobile passport app first came out, I thought it would expedite Global Entry even further. Instead it blocked everything so the global entry would not work.

and as others have said, I don't think you'll make the connection with a check bag unless your flight arrives to Miami pretty early.
My experience in February, I tried logging on to Mobile Passport to "expedite"things ( ihave GE) and mobile passport would not allow it (not for me or my mom). So they may have fixed this so tht people with GE don't use Mobile Passport and mess everything up. Last week when I got back to MIA, hundreds of people in line but i cruised right through, was at the door waiting for my ride within 15 minutes of the plane opening doors and letting us out.
miadukes is offline  
Old May 23, 2018, 2:20 pm
  #417  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Originally Posted by EQDsSUCK
Have Mobile Passport and Global Entry. Am checking luggage. Thanks for your input on trouble making that 1:06 connection.
I often enter the country through MIA with checked bags. I do have GE. The fastest time that I have ever made from gate arrival to clearing security was 45 minutes. 50 to 60 minutes is typical.
coolcoil is offline  
Old May 24, 2018, 5:01 pm
  #418  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Plat SPG Platinum
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by bosman
+1000; I've seen the line at customs (not immigration) take 30 minutes.
Truly confused by this statement. What line are you talking about? At Miami you exit immediately after picking up your bags, with no line or further check (unless you are individually stopped for some reason. The only wait is for immigration.
rens is offline  
Old May 25, 2018, 4:40 am
  #419  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Originally Posted by rens
Truly confused by this statement. What line are you talking about? At Miami you exit immediately after picking up your bags, with no line or further check (unless you are individually stopped for some reason. The only wait is for immigration.
I think he doesn’t frequent MIA and his statement is in relation to the situation before they got rid of the customs check.

I too was confused when I read it.
Djokison is offline  
Old Jul 7, 2018, 4:54 pm
  #420  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AGP/GIB
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP
Posts: 358
my GF is connecting MXP-MIA-SKB

She will travel on an Argentine passport. if she checks luggage in Milan, will she have to collect it in Miami or will it auto transfer?

If it's going to require collection, I think I'll suggest she go carryon only...
inthemix is offline  


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