The Configuration of MIA Airport
Even though consisting of one enormous terminal designed in a “U” shape, Miami Airport actually has 3 terminal buildings. Hence, the “horseshoe”-terminal is divided into three parts forming the South terminal, the North terminal, and the Central terminal. All terminals are interconnected and have the same layout: arrivals and baggage carousels lie at level 1, departures at level 2, while connections to other concourses and MIA Mover are to be found at level 3. Nevertheless, please keep in mind that transferring from one terminal to another may require re-passing through security control.
Miami Airport North Terminal (Blue Terminal)
Miami airport’s North terminal is comprised of concourse D and spreads over a 1-mile area (1.6km), housing 51 gates and 4 security checkpoints along with a wide variety of shopping and dining options, lounges, and spa facilities. Handling international and domestic flights as well, it is seen as an American Airlines terminal. As already stated, Blue terminal has the usual MIA layout:
- Level 1: arrivals and baggage claim
- Level 2: departures
- Level 3: connections to concourse E and MIA Mover Station
Since the North terminal covers a huge surface (an average 30-minute time is required to traverse it from one end to the other), Skytrain undertakes transfers throughout concourse D. With 4 stops along its way, Skytrain runs every 3 minutes and calls at 4 stations. Station 1 is near Gate D17, Station 2 is between Gates D24 and D25, Station 3 is close to Gate D29, and Station 4 lies next to Gate D46. Skytrain (one out of three of MIA’s automated people movers) needs as much as 5 minutes to cross the Blue terminal.
Miami Airport Central Terminal (Yellow Terminal)
Adjacent to the North terminal building is the Central terminal, or as it is also called the Yellow terminal. Concourses E, F, and G are parts of the Yellow terminal. Overall, plenty of shops and restaurants are to be found at the Central terminal, along with the inside-the-airport Miami International Airport Hotel. In general, concourse E serves domestic and international flights, while concourses F and G mostly deal with domestic destinations. Concourse E has 18 gates and is mainly dedicated to American Airlines. Still, other Oneworld partners and some Caribbean and Latin American air carriers also use concourse E. Concourse E has a satellite building as well, reachable via the MIA E Train or a walkway. In fact, the E’s satellite can even serve Airbus A380. MIA E Train is another automated people mover that is part of Miami airport’s ground transportation and connects Gates E2-E11 (starting from level 4 of the main concourse) to Gates E20-E33, lying in the satellite building.
On the other hand, concourses F and G have 19 and 14 gates respectively and serve domestic flights and Canadian destinations.
The structure of the Central terminal is no different than the North’s one, while all three concourses house security checkpoints at their entrances.
Miami Airport South Terminal (Red Terminal)
MIA South terminal (Red terminal) welcomes both international and domestic flights operated to a great extent by non-Oneworld international air carriers. Its two concourses (concourses H and J) are connected via a walkway. In that walkway is where the vast majority of the terminal’s shops and dining stores are to be found.
Concourse H has 13 gates and is principally used by Delta and non-Oneworld global airlines, while concourse J, with 15 gates, serves non-Oneworld air companies and their intercontinental routes. In fact, concourse J has one gate that can accommodate Airbus A 380 as well. The terminal’s configuration bears no difference from the rest of the airport complex: level 1 for arrivals, level 2 for departures, and level 3 for between-terminal and from-and-to MIA Mover Station connections. Moreover, concourses H and J also host security checks on their entrances. However, one more checkpoint lies on their connecting walkway.
Transfers between Miami Airport Terminals
Miami International airport’s terminals are basically connected via moving walkways. In detail, concourse D (North terminal) is linked to concourse E (Central terminal) via a bridge, lying close to Gates D31 and E2, while concourse G (Central terminal) and concourse H (South terminal) via a walkway close to Gates G2 and H3. However, even though walking from one terminal to another is possible, it usually requires passing through security and checking in once again when reaching your destination. The only exemptions to this rule are connectors from concourse D to E and from concourse H to J (and vice versa). All the other concourses are only linked landside.
Our Tip 1: All bridges and walkways lie on the terminals’ third levels.
Our Tip 2: MIA Mover, the third airport’s automated people mover, is situated in the middle of the “U” Miami airport complex, right between Dolphin and Flamingo garages. The train heads to Car Rental Center and the Central Station.
FAQs
How many terminals are there at Miami Airport?
Miami International Airport has 3 terminal buildings, sub-divided into 6 concourses. Resembling a huge “U” in shape, its vast area splits into 3 buildings (the Central, South, and North terminals), which are connected to each other, mostly landside.
What terminal is international at Miami Airport?
The North terminal (concourse D) serves international flights operated by American Airlines, while concourse E (Central terminal) handles international flights by Oneworld partners and some Caribbean and Latin American air carriers. Finally, the concourses H and J of the South terminal welcome global flights provided by Delta and other non-Oneworld airlines.
Can you walk between terminals at Miami Airport?
All three Miami airport terminals are interconnected via moving walkways. Thus, walking from one terminal to another is doable. However, please note that apart from concourses E-D and H-J which are linked airside, all other concourses are connected landside, meaning that passengers have to pass through security control and re-clear customs to reach their destination.