BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — If you are traveling in or out of Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport over the next week, prepare for potential problems. Huge crowds and packed garages may had significant time to your plans. FLL issued this advisory to BocaNewsNow.com:
Thanksgiving Day marks the start of the bustling year-end travel period. For the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), it’s always a wonderful time to serve countless families and friends as they fly through our facility to destinations all over.
FLL officials anticipate serving over 744,000 travelers during the airport’s traditional* seven-day Thanksgiving Day holiday travel period, from Tuesday, November 26, to Monday, December 2, 2024. That reflects a 2% dip from 760,000 passengers projected for the same 2023 holiday period. Factors contributing to the slight year-over-year decline include fewer scheduled flights during this period vs. last year. Still, FLL expects above-normal activity for this travel period, buoyed by record-breaking industry predictions and other trends indicating Fort Lauderdale’s popularity for Thanksgiving trips.
During this Turkey Day travel timeframe, FLL’s busiest days are expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, followed by the Saturday and Sunday after the holiday. Overall, FLL anticipates an average of 106,000 daily passengers during this 2024 holiday travel period.
“We are so thankful for our airport guests, employees, and business partners whose contributions help make FLL great every day,” said Mark Gale, FLL CEO/Director of Aviation. “Your commitment and support this year has meant a lot. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day.”
Here are some Thanksgiving holiday tips for passengers traveling through FLL:
ARRIVE EARLY
Typically, travelers are advised to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours if flying internationally. However, during peak holiday periods, it’s best to follow any updated guidance from your airline, as more time may be required for check-in/bag processing. Security processing may also take longer due to increased passenger activity.
PARKING (ON-SITE)
With the ongoing high demand for curbside valet service and self-parking options at FLL this year, especially during the holidays, we recommend getting dropped off by family, friends, or a ride-share service instead. Note: We expect the on-site FLL garages to fill up, so our off-site Overflow Parking Lot will likely be activated if current demand trends hold.
FLL offers travelers a variety of parking options in its garages: Long Term Parking is $20 a day, and Short Term Parking, intended for dropping off or picking up passengers, is available for $2 per 20-minute intervals with a maximum daily rate of $36. Download the free FLL Airport App** for information on parking, flights, restaurants, and shops before arriving at the airport. If you plan to park at FLL, allocate extra time to get here and secure a spot among the self-parking garage’s 11,000-plus spaces, which are expected to fill up for the holiday weekend. Tap into the garage’s smart parking technology to find the closest open spot.
Travelers can use SunPass Plus as a convenient way to pay for parking using a SunPass transponder in the airport’s three parking garages. The traveler must use a SunPass Plus lane to enter and exit for the account to be charged. SunPass Plus entry does not require a ticket.
Curbside Valet Parking service is offered at two drop-off/pick-up locations. Both valet stations are on the upper-level (Departures) roadway at the west ends of Terminals 1 and 4. The first location serves guests traveling to/from Terminals 1 and 2, and the second site caters to travelers in Terminals 3 and 4. Valet Parking is $30 per day.
OVERFLOW PARKING (OFF-SITE)
In anticipation of the airport’s parking garages filling for the Thanksgiving holiday period, FLL’s Overflow Parking Lot will begin accepting entries only when on-site parking reaches maximum capacity. Watch for parking updates on the airport’s social media pages. Travelers opting to use the Overflow Parking Lot should allow at least 45-60 minutes extra time to park and board a shuttle to their departure terminal.
The Overflow Parking Lot is in the western part of the airport at 2755 SW 42nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Go south on Perimeter Road to Griffin Road and take Griffin Road west past I-95 to Anglers Avenue. Then turn right (north) and then left (west) on Southwest 42nd Street and follow the orange wayfinding signs. A flat rate of $10 per day applies, as does a maximum stay of seven days. Payment via credit card is preferred. The free shuttle service to and from the Overflow Lot will have designated stops along the upper-level airport roadway between Terminals 1 and 2 and Terminals 3 and 4. View the attached parking map at the bottom of the page.
PICK-UP/DROP-OFF
The Cell Phone Waiting Area is located under the main entrance roadway to the airport. As you approach FLL’s entrance, stay in the left lanes, follow the sign to All Parking, and bear left. Then, follow the signs to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. This road will bring you around the Rental Car Center to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. If the free Cell Phone Waiting Area is full, please proceed to Short Term Parking in the garages, available for $2 per 20 minutes with a grace period of under 20 minutes at no charge. Please remember that the curbside areas are for immediate pick-up and drop-off only. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
TRAVEL & GUNS
If you plan to travel with a licensed firearm, follow the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protocols to pack and transport your weapon safely as checked luggage. If you are caught with a gun at a TSA passenger screening checkpoint, this will disrupt your travel plans, and you could face a hefty penalty and an arrest.
Roadway traffic: Terminal roadways are expected to be busier, with increased vehicular activity during this holiday. When picking up family or friends at FLL after 9AM (and especially after 6PM), if traffic is congeste
