Updated MIA travel tips for record winter season forecast

Miami International Airport continues to expect record-high passenger traffic through Thursday, January 6, with an average of 159,000 travelers per day from today until then. The busiest days are expected to be January 2 and 3, when more than 165,000 passengers are projected on each day.

Because of the projected increase, MIA is providing the following travel tips to help passengers fly safe and fly smart this winter:

• Arrive at MIA three hours before a domestic flight and three and a half hours before an international flight, to allow enough time for the airline check-in and security checkpoint screening process.
• Passengers are encouraged to confirm their flight status with their airline and do their flight check-in online before arriving at MIA.
• If your flight gets delayed because of bad weather, aircraft maintenance, or an airline staffing shortage due to the pandemic, please remain calm with airline and airport employees as they work on resolving the problem.
• Parking has been limited. Travelers should strongly consider drop-off options such as a ride-share service, taxi, or Miami-Dade Transit’s Orange Line.
• As part of MIA’s transition to an improved parking payment system, access to the airport’s parking garages with SunPass will no longer be available beginning January 1, 2022. Customers will soon be able to pay for parking inside the garage instead of at the collection plaza when they exit.
• To expedite TSA checkpoint screening, wear easily removable shoes, follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids or gels in your carry-on, and avoid accessories that resemble weapons. More TSA tips are available at the TSA website.
• Pack medicines and other important items and documents in your carry-on instead of your checked bag in case your flight is delayed.
• Find the fastest checkpoint for your flight with the MIA QueueAnalyzer, available online at MIA’s mobile app and website, for real-time updates on security checkpoint wait times. 
• Avoid waiting in line to order food and drinks with MIA2GO, MIA’s mobile ordering service that lets you quickly browse menus, order and pay before making your contactless pick-up at restaurants throughout the airport.
• Practice regular handwashing and make use of the hand sanitizing stations available airport-wide.
• On-site COVID-19 testing (Antigen, PCR, and Rapid PCR) is available at two convenient MIA locations. Costs vary depending on the type of test.
• MIA’s cell phone waiting lot, which features 60 parking spaces for non-commercial users picking up travelers, is located just off LeJeune Road and N.W. 31^st Street, accessible from LeJeune Road heading north or south.