Miami International Airport Expansion

[omegaet]

We recently attended one of the Grand Introduction parties for the newly opened South Terminal at Miami International Airport. After several years delay in construction and many, many millions of dollars over budget (apparently more than $1.1 billion is the final price tag), the facility is open and functioning (supposedly a total of 28 of the 40 new gates are soon to be in service). Aside from the modern architecture, spacious concourses, and alleged state-of-the-art baggage system, the greatest asset may prove to be the 40 new customs booths available for international passenger processing.In the past, lines at customs have been agonizingly long......just what you don't need at the end of a long-haul flight.

If your upcoming travels call for you to arrive or connect through MIA, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. We have avoided MIA like the plague during the past several years and chosen to use FLL whenever possible or even use generally congested ATL rather than face the frustrations and inconveniences of MIA.

After seeing the new facilities, weve decided to book an upcoming international trip through MIA and hopeful experience better service. The industry"buzz" alludes to the near future possibilities of non-stop service from MIAto Asia and Africa, in additional to improved existing service to Europe and South and Central America.

You can check their web site http://www.airports-site.com/miami-MIA-airport.htm and see if one of your upcoming flights will be using the new facilities.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Omegaet. Pleasant surprise. Thank you. We use Miami for Central American travel and some Caribbean travel. Haven't found it as bad as some other airports however, its nice to hear positive renovations. Please tell us what the South Terminal will be used for; domestic or international? Our next trip to Costa Rica would normally have been through Miami but American Air has expanded their offerings through Dallas. (I know, a little out of the way but the price was much less than via Miami.) Thanks.

[omegaet]

bonniejoy03...so far, the airlines scheduled to use the new south terminal at MIA are:



CONCOURSE H CONCOURSE J

Aeromexico Aerolineas Argentinas Lufthansa

Air FranceAir CanadaSwiss Air

AlitaliaAviancaTACA

ContinentalCaribbean AirUnited

COPA El AlUS Airways

DeltaLAN

TAMLTU

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks. I see USAir will be there. Can't wait to try it. Is it offically opened? Will you take the light rail to the terminal or is it walking distance? Is Caribbean Air, Caribbean Sun? Thanks for keeping us updated!

[omegaet]

bonniejoy03...just a short update on recent conditions at MIA.



My last two first hand experiences would indicate the expansion of the gates in the new South Terminalhas at last begunimproving the passenger experience. This is still very much a work in progress, but they are showing signs of improvements. Both the expanded Immigration and Customs operations are speeding passenger flow as well.....baggage claim is much easier and transfer locations are closer to transit passengers. Good luck when you pass through MIA on your next Caribbean trip.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks Omegaet. We typically fly through Charlotte or San Juan to the Caribbean (just returned on Friday with USAir via Charlotte.) We do have our tickets booked for February to fly down via Miami to Guatemala. Can't wait to see the new terminal! I never really had problems with Miami airport. It was still so much better than many.