BROWARD COUNTY, FL – There's no doubt this year's Thanksgiving Day holiday will feel different, and with the growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, families are trying to figure out the best options for hosting their traditional festivities. No matter the decision, if you opt to travel to celebrate the holidays, the best way to do so is to adhere to the safety guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of the virus. As the terminals get busier during the holiday season, Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is continuing its enhanced sanitization efforts to provide a clean, safe and healthy environment for everyone. As part of our FLLy Safer, FLLy Smarter, FLLy Better public confidence campaign, face coverings are required inside the airport’s terminals and Rental Car Center (RCC), and we encourage passengers to practice good hand washing hygiene and social distancing by staying six feet apart from non-family travelers.
FLL officials predict that approximately 480,000 travelers will pass through the facility from Tuesday, November 24 to Monday, November 30, based on travel demand a week before Thanksgiving Day. That's a 40 percent decrease in passenger traffic when compared to the same seven-day holiday period in 2019. With an estimated average of 68,581 passengers daily, the airport's busiest travel days are expected on Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, with more than 80,000 travelers each day.
“We recognize that not everyone may be fully comfortable flying during the pandemic, but for those who are traveling, please know the FLL Team is working hard each day to ensure our facilities are clean and safe. However, we urge all of our passengers to take the basic precautions to protect yourself and fellow travelers by wearing a face mask, social distancing, and washing hands frequently during travel,” said Mark Gale, CEO/Aviation Director. “We are immensely grateful for your patronage during these challenging times and wish you and your families a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.”
Consider these key FLL holiday travel tips:
PARKING
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 parking garage's 8,000-plus spaces, which could fill up during the holidays. Tap into the garages' smart parking technology to find the closest open spot. In the garage driving lanes, look at the monitors mounted to the ceiling for the number of open spaces in each aisle.
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. No ticket is required with SunPass Plus entry. FLL offers travelers a variety of parking options in its garages: Long Term Parking is $15 a day, and Short Term Parking, intended for dropping off or picking up passengers, is available for $3 an hour with a maximum daily rate of $36.
FLL's Overflow Parking Lot has more than 4,000 spaces and will only open if the garages are at full capacity. It is located west of the airport at 2755 SW 42nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Take Griffin Road just west of I-95 to Anglers Avenue, turn right (north). Then turn left (west) on Southwest 42nd Street and follow the orange wayfinding signs. A flat rate of $10 per day applies, and only credit card payments will be accepted. View the attached parking map found under "Release Properties" at the bottom of the page.
Note: Curbside Valet Parking service remains suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PICKUP/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 RCC to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. If the free Cell Phone Waiting Area is full, please proceed to our Short Term Parking in the garages, which is available for $3 per hour with a grace period under 20 minutes at no charge. Please remember that the curbside areas are for immediate pickup and drop-off only. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
REMINDERS
FLL participates in several expedited security and Customs processing programs, including Simplified Arrival, TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, Mobile Passport, and CLEAR, available in select locations and security checkpoints. Please visit their respective websites to learn more about the programs, how they work, and any associated costs.
If you are a traveler with a disability or have a medical condition, you can plan ahead with TSA Cares or call their toll-free helpline at 1-855-787-2227 to enhance your airport experience.
About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
The Aviation Department is a self-supporting department of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. In 2019, the Airport served 36.7M passengers with more than 380 departures a day and offered nonstop service to 84 U.S. cities and global connectivity to more than 66 international destinations in 33 countries. The Aviation Department also operates North Perry, a general aviation airport for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit fll.net.
DATE: November 23, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Arlene Satchell, Assistant Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
PHONE: 954-359-6201
EMAIL: asatchell@broward.org