Description

Opened in 2007,  South Terminal does far more than just help transport one fourth of MIA's passengers from one destination to another. Inside and out, the 1.7-million-square-foot facility dazzles the senses of passengers with its sleek architectural design as much as it meets their travel needs.

Features such as vaulted ceilings, towering windows, natural lighting and Florida-themed artwork make transiting through the terminal a visual delight.

Functionally, South Terminal encompasses a new Concourse with 15 gates and a renovated Concourse with 13 gates, serving 20 domestic and international carriers, including: Aerogal; Aerolineas Argentinas; Air Berlin; Air Canada; Air France; Alitalia; Avianca; Bahamasair; Caribbean Airlines; Continental; Copa; Delta; LACSA; LAN; Lufthansa; Lynx Air; TAM; TACA; United; and US Airways. 

It also features:

* A spacious federal inspection area with 40 passport control lanes and the capacity to welcome and process 2,000 international passengers per hour;
* A check-in area with 168 ticket counters and 1,040 feet of curbside check-in space;
* Two security checkpoints at Concourses and ;
* More than 40 popular restaurants, shops, newsstands and duty-free stores.
* A cruise and tour bus station with 22 dedicated airline ticket counters accommodates shuttle service to and from the Port of Miami;
* A moving walkway pre-security on the third level;
* A permanent exhibition of "Rejoicing and Festival of the Americas" and "The Discovery and * Settlement of the West," two murals by world-renowned Brazilian artist Carybé
* A post-security business center with computers, internet access, fax and photocopy service and conference room;
* A Global Entry Program registration office and kiosks, provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Global Entry offers expedited entry to the U.S. for U.S. citizens and residents who have been approved by CBP (also available in North Terminal).

Miami International Airport's North Terminal Development Program is quickly nearing completion in 2012. Only three gates remain to be opened in the 50-gate “super concourse,” which is used by American Airlines as its hub for Latin America and the Caribbean to serve more than 20 million passengers annually and provide more than 300 daily flights.

The North Terminal Improvements (NTI) Phase II project, scheduled for completion in December 2011, will further expand North Terminal's "front door" by adding 150,000 square feet of renovated space for additional ticket counters, a fourth North Terminal security checkpoint and new curbside areas for loading and unloading on the arrivals and departure levels. The renovations, remodeling and additions will also re-connect the Central and North terminals of MIA on all levels between Terminal D and E and include new escalators for easier vertical access. North Terminal's Phase I improvements were completed on November 5, 2009 and feature 58 ticket agent positions, 66 self-service check-in devices and 14 curbside check-in positions. Three security checkpoints located just 90 feet from the concourse area provide fast and easy access to North Terminal's passenger gates.

In September 2010, the Concourse D skytrain people mover began whisking passengers between four conveniently located stations on the roof of the mile-long concourse. A ride on the skytrain can take you from: station #1 near Gate D-17 at the easternmost end of Concourse D to station #2 for domestic baggage claim; continue to station #3 for connecting flights at gates D-26 to D-39, passport control or exit to Central or South Terminal; or carry you all the way to station #4 for gates D-40 to D-60 and American Eagle flights at the new Regional Commuter Facility - all within five minutes. Built by Parsons-Odebrecht with five four-car trains provided by Sumitomo Corporation of America and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, skytrain has the capacity to transport 9,000 passengers per hour. It is also designed to decrease walking time 70 percent for domestic connecting passengers and 34 percent for international connecting travelers in Concourse D.

North Terminal's Phase I improvements - new “front door” areas for curbside and self-service check-in, ticketing, security screening and domestic baggage claim - were completed on November 5, 2009. American Airlines relocated its operations to the new 290,000-square-foot section of North Terminal that features 58 ticket agent positions, 66 self-service check-in devices and 14 curbside check-in positions. Three new security checkpoints located just 90 feet from the concourse area provide fast and easy access to North Terminal's passenger gates.

The former Concourse A and its 16 gates re-opened on July 20, 2010 with a new look and a new name after being closed in November 2007 to expedite North Terminal construction. The 430,000-square-foot area was renovated to provide a seamless connection to the rest of Concourse D and its 16 gates were renumbered D-1 to D-19. North Terminal's security checkpoint #1, which provides direct access to the 16 new gates, also opened on July 20.

Final North Terminal improvements, scheduled to open in 2012, will feature: a 400,000-square-foot, 72-lane federal inspection area capable of serving 3,600 international passengers per hour upon their arrival to the U.S.; an eight-lane, re-check inspection area for passengers connecting between international flights; and a new international greeter's lobby. A new baggage handling and delivery system, also scheduled for total completion in 2012, will be capable of screening and transporting 6,400 bags per hour from the check-in area to all of North Terminal's 50 gates utilizing a completely automated system of 25 explosive detection machines and nearly 10 miles of conveyor belt.

North Terminal also gives passengers a taste of South Florida chic before they leave the airport with more than 60 restaurants and shops currently open and more to come before final completion in 2011.

After 14 new concessions opened in 2009, North Terminal welcomed the following shopping and dining locations in 2010: Corona Beach House; Suski Maki; Johnston & Murphy; Star Fire Design; Fashion Gallerie; Taxco Sterling; Sound Balance; Hudson News; Tech on the Go; Newslink; Tropical News; InMotion; Clubhouse One Bar & Grill; and Miami To Go.

Upcoming openings this year are: Newslink Explorer; Juan Valdez Café, Bookmark bookstore & Cafe; Kuva; Newslink; Giggles; It's Sugar; Privé Gourmet Market; Ocean Drive News; Essentials; Starbucks/Tropical News; UPS Store; Solstice; Etcetera; Peace-Love-Miami; TGI Friday's; The Shoppes of Ocean Drive; and shops developed by Duty Free Americas for Thomas Pink and Emporio Armani.

The wide variety of eating options at MIA's North Terminal caught the attention of the Miami New Times weekly newspaper, earning it “2010 Best Food Court” honors in the publication's annual “Best of Miami” issue. The newspaper noted that, “the selections at Miami International Airport's North Terminal (post-security, especially) give travelers a good taste of some pretty recognizable local offerings, so it deserves cred. Tourists who get to the airport late or go straight to South Beach would miss out on Little Havana's top menu items (AKA some of the finest Cuban eats in the city), if not for Café Versailles and La Carreta representing at MIA.”