Which is worse? MIA or Fll?

[jayscore]

I'm just wondering which airport is better? I'm flying to FLL next April. I've been to MIA a few times, and I think it sucks!(Shops outside security, nothing inside,etc.) Is FLL better or worse in this aspect?
Thanks!

[smeyer418]

Originally Posted by jayscore

I'm just wondering which airport is better? I'm flying to FLL next April. I've been to MIA a few times, and I think it sucks!(Shops outside security, nothing inside,etc.) Is FLL better or worse in this aspect?
Thanks!

almost anything is better than MIA FLL is better...a lot West Palm Beach is better still.

[alexisd]

Yup FLL or West Palm Beach airport are great.I live only 5 minutes from palm beach airport.FLL and palm beach are clean.I work in Mia airport too and is a nigthmare trust me.

[SelectSys]

Originally Posted by jayscore

I'm just wondering which airport is better? I'm flying to FLL next April. I've been to MIA a few times, and I think it sucks!(Shops outside security, nothing inside,etc.) Is FLL better or worse in this aspect?
Thanks!

In general I agree with you. I have never been that impressed with the MIA airport setup. However, things have improved quite a bit in the revamped AA terminal D. I also think that terminal J is nice and has decent services beyond security.

My only experience at FLL is on one AirTran flight. I didn't find the services beyond security at FLL for my AirTran flight all that great either.

I personally would pick the airport based more on airline, frequency of service to my destination, where I was trying to get (e.g., Miami cruise port), and price rather than by terminal services unless my connection or wait was going to be really, really, long.

[TrentS]

They're BOTH bad, especially on winter weekends when both ports are full of ships. FLL is even worse than MIA then though as it's not as capable of handling the crowds as well as MIA is.

[Keith1010]

The advantage of Miami is its size offering more flights than Fort Lauderdale.

But the disadvantage of Miam is also its size as many times this can involved a long walk to get between gates and luggage area.

Keith

[silentbob007]

I don't really look forward to using either airport.

[NHBob]

Originally Posted by SelectSys

.......However, things have improved quite a bit in the revamped AA terminal D.

Glad to hear this, as last time I flew out of Miami on AA, Nov. '07, terminal was total chaos!

I'll get to see for myself in November, flying from MIA on one of the busiest days of the year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Bob

[twoputt.plusone]

I fly into/out of FLL fairly regularly. A lot depends of when you plan to be there. If you happen to have the misfortune to arrive when a bunch of ships are back in port (usually on weekends), it can be a nightmare with long lines at both check in and security. Other than that, it's a very easy airport to navigate and has one of the best set-ups for rental cars. But if you have to spend some time there, there really isn't much to keep you entertained.

2P.P1

[steve20832]

I have been to all 3 South Florida airports. PBI (Palm Beach) is by far the best, FLL second, and MIA last. You are limited on cities from PBI but all the airlines fly to their hubs. Plus security line to gate is almost never more than 10 minutes. Also, since there are only 25 commercial gates, there is never a delay at the runway except for bad weather.
FLL has a lot more gates (and flights) so you get a better selection of non-stop flights plus more airlines and more flght times to choose from. Downside is there are more delays because of the number of flights. If you have a non-stop flight from FLL, is isn't a big deal.
MIA is just a mess. Enough said...

[jayscore]

Thanks for the replies!
We're flying in the day before our cruise, (Friday), and hope it isn't too bad. Actually., I have no choice, so I'll "grin and bare it!" At least I booked at a decent non-stop rate.

[personnext]

MIA is by far the nicest and easiest to use. FLL is a total mess.

Too many people associate MIA today with the MIA of a decade ago.

MIA today is two brand-new terminals - Concourse J and Concourse D - that are easily some of the nicest in the country. Though Concourse D is still partly a construction zone, but it doesn't really add to the hassles except for Concourse D security. Always use Concourse E security.

The train is supposed to open any week now, as well.

[MightyQuinn]

Originally Posted by NHBob

I'll get to see for myself in November, flying from MIA on one of the busiest days of the year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

We're also flying out of MIA during Thanksgiving when both the airport & cruiseport will be uber busy. Pack patience.
http://www.airlines.org/economics/tr...liday+FAQs.htm

[steve20832]

Originally Posted by personnext

MIA is by far the nicest and easiest to use.

What are you comparing MIA to?
Palm Beach is the best airport out of South Florida's 3 airports! Ask anyone that has been to PBI and another airport here and you will get the same response.

[jollyjones]

Originally Posted by personnext

MIA is by far the nicest and easiest to use. FLL is a total mess.

Too many people associate MIA today with the MIA of a decade ago.

MIA today is two brand-new terminals - Concourse J and Concourse D - that are easily some of the nicest in the country. Though Concourse D is still partly a construction zone, but it doesn't really add to the hassles except for Concourse D security. Always use Concourse E security.

The train is supposed to open any week now, as well.

I went thru MIA Oct 1st and Concourse D security has moved - it seems to run more smoothly. I agree that, altho' Concourse D isn't quite finished, it's much better than it used to be.

My one and only FLL experience wasn't typical but was awful. There were six ships in port and a computer breakdown at the airport - I had to stand in line four and a half hours to check in. MIA is bigger and possible congestion is much less influenced by the number of ships in port.

[Fabian52]

I have flown out of all three south florida airports and PBI is the best. Of course I work across the street from the airport and also live 10 minutes from the airport so that helps. Ft. Lauderdale is good and very close to the ports for the cruise ships. Miami I have only flown out of twice and we arrived very early and it wasn't too bad. The worst part was dropping off the rental car and catching the bus to the terminal. There was alot of people waiting for the bus to the airport but it worked out fine. Just arrive very early to make sure you make your departure.

[cb at sea]

I like MIA...easy to navigate...close to the port....never had a problem there!

[ptcruzers]

If you think MIA is bad end up in BUF sometime- I think the only services available are a newspaper vending machine!!!

[Taxguy77]

Originally Posted by NHBob

Glad to hear this, as last time I flew out of Miami on AA, Nov. '07, terminal was total chaos!

I'll get to see for myself in November, flying from MIA on one of the busiest days of the year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Bob

Miami? AA Sunday after Thanksgiving?

[DKane]

Originally Posted by TrentS

They're BOTH bad, especially on winter weekends when both ports are full of ships. FLL is even worse than MIA then though as it's not as capable of handling the crowds as well as MIA is.

True that FLL is not as capable as MIA when dealing w/large number of people. Flew in and out of FLL last March and there were about 8 cruise ships in port that day. It was a nightmare!! I swore I'd never fly to or from FLL again. You can say what you want about MIA but we've never had a problem there.