Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major commercial airport serving the northern portion of the South Florida metropolitan area and a significant alternative gateway to Miami International Airport. Located in Broward County between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, FLL has grown into one of the busiest airports in the southeastern United States, driven by a strong concentration of low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers that make it a preferred choice for budget-conscious travelers throughout the region.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport operates four terminals arranged around a central landside facility. The airport has historically served as a lower-cost, less congested alternative to nearby Miami International Airport, attracting budget travelers who benefit from Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and other carriers that offer competitive fares from FLL.
The airport is located approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 3 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale, placing it in a convenient position for both Broward County residents and those in northern Miami-Dade County who prefer to avoid Miami Airport's traffic. FLL processes more than 35 million passengers in high-volume years and provides nonstop service to more than 100 destinations.
A major development for FLL has been its connection to the Brightline inter-city rail network. A Brightline station adjacent to the airport connects FLL to Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and (via the Orlando extension) the entire Florida East Coast rail corridor, making FLL one of the best-connected airports for rail travel in the southeastern United States.
Fort Lauderdale's municipal airport was established in 1929 and operated as a military facility during World War II before returning to commercial service in the postwar era. The airport expanded through the 1960s and 1970s as Fort Lauderdale grew into a major city, but it remained secondary to Miami International for most of its history.
The transformation of FLL into a major commercial airport accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s as the low-cost carrier revolution reached South Florida. Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue all built substantial operations at FLL, drawing traffic away from MIA with lower fares and simpler fee structures. By the 2010s, FLL had become one of the fastest-growing major airports in the United States by passenger volume.
FLL has four passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles a mix of carriers including Spirit Airlines and regional operators. Terminal 2 is used by JetBlue Airways and other airlines. Terminal 3 is Southwest Airlines' home at FLL and handles high-frequency domestic service. Terminal 4 is the international terminal, handling international departures and arrivals including federal inspection for arriving international passengers.
The terminals are arranged around a central roadway and are not connected airside. Passengers connecting between terminals must exit to the ground level. The Brightline FLL/Hollywood station is located adjacent to the airport and is connected via a pedestrian bridge to Terminal 1.
Spirit Airlines is the largest carrier at FLL by seat count and operates an extensive domestic and international low-fare network. Southwest Airlines operates high-frequency domestic service from Terminal 3. JetBlue Airways has a significant presence and operates both domestic and Caribbean routes. Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and other ultra-low-cost carriers also serve FLL.
International service at FLL includes routes to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe. Several European carriers operate seasonal transatlantic service. FLL provides nonstop service to more than 100 destinations, making it one of the most connected airports for its passenger size.
FLL's terminal amenities are functional rather than luxury-oriented, reflecting the airport's dominant low-cost carrier base. Dining and retail options are available in all four terminals, with the largest selection in Terminal 3 (Southwest). The airport has free Wi-Fi throughout. Terminal improvements are ongoing as part of the airport's capital program.
FLL is known for being a relatively compact and easy-to-navigate airport compared to the major hub airports in South Florida. Broward County's management has focused on efficiency and cost-effectiveness consistent with the airport's low-cost carrier positioning.
The Brightline inter-city rail station adjacent to FLL (called the FLL/Hollywood station) is connected to Terminal 1 via a pedestrian bridge. Brightline serves Miami, Fort Lauderdale downtown, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, making FLL one of the few U.S. airports with direct access to a high-speed inter-city rail network. Trains run approximately every 30–60 minutes.
Broward County Transit (BCT) bus routes serve the airport. Tri-Rail commuter rail has a station in Dania Beach, accessible via shuttle from the airport, providing additional rail connectivity to Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Rideshare services, taxis, and rental cars operate from the ground transportation level. The airport is accessible via US-1 and I-595.
FLL provides parking in garages adjacent to each terminal and in economy surface lots with shuttle service. The airport's competitive positioning includes competitive parking rates relative to MIA. Advance reservations are available online and recommended during peak winter travel season when South Florida attracts significant visitor volumes from northern states.
FLL's four terminals are separate buildings without airside connections — if you need to transfer between terminals for a connection, you must exit security. Plan accordingly and avoid booking tight connections that require a terminal change.
The Brightline rail connection is one of FLL's major advantages for travelers arriving from or departing to Miami or points up the Florida East Coast. Trains are generally more reliable than driving in South Florida traffic and provide a comfortable inter-city travel option. During peak South Florida winter season (December–March), FLL can be extremely busy, particularly on weekend mornings when vacation flights peak.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a major economic driver for Broward County and supports the broader South Florida regional economy. The airport's low-cost carrier base has made air travel accessible to a broader population and supports the region's tourism, convention, and Port Everglades cruise industries. FLL is one of the primary entry points for cruise passengers embarking from Port Everglades, one of the world's busiest cruise ports, located directly adjacent to the airport.
The Brightline rail connection enhances FLL's regional economic role by improving workforce mobility and reducing the barrier between the Miami and Fort Lauderdale labor markets.
FLL is pursuing terminal modernization and capacity expansion projects to accommodate continued passenger growth. Plans include Terminal 4 expansion for international operations and infrastructure improvements across all terminals. The Brightline connection positions FLL favorably for future growth in inter-city rail-connected travel. Broward County continues to invest in FLL as a major regional economic asset.
FLL is a primary commercial airport and a major secondary gateway in South Florida, complementing MIA with a strong focus on low-cost travel and growing inter-city rail connectivity.
Airports within approximately 60 miles of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial, regional access.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is South Florida's value-oriented aviation alternative — a well-run, four-terminal airport that has successfully positioned itself as the destination for budget-conscious travelers who find Miami Airport's scale and complexity daunting. Its growing Brightline rail connection, strong low-cost carrier base, and convenient location for both Broward and northern Miami-Dade travelers make it one of the more strategically positioned secondary airports in the United States.
Yes — FLL offers lower fares from budget carriers like Spirit, Southwest, and JetBlue, less congestion than MIA, and a simpler terminal layout. It is approximately 23 miles north of Miami, making it convenient for travelers staying in Broward County or northern Miami-Dade.
Yes. The Brightline FLL/Hollywood station is adjacent to Terminal 1 and connected via a pedestrian bridge. Brightline serves Miami, downtown Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando.
Spirit Airlines is the largest carrier. Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant, and several international carriers also serve FLL. The airport is known for its concentration of low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is approximately 23 miles north of Miami International Airport. Travel time by car is typically 30–45 minutes depending on I-95 traffic.
For the most current flight schedules, parking availability, terminal maps, and ground transportation updates, visit the official Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport website.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Official Site