Southwest Airlines Terminal at Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)

Southwest Airlines uses Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale Airport for all its operations, including check-in, boarding, arrival, and departure. Southwest Airlines’ terminal at Fort Lauderdale Airport offers a range of amenities and services, including multiple dining options, duty-free shops, ground transportation, and parking, to make air travel comfortable and convenient. Terminal one features three concourses (A, B, and C) and 24 gates.

What Terminal is Southwest Airlines in Fort Lauderdale Airport?

Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal 1, also known as the Yellow Terminal, at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The terminal 1 layout at FLL airport for Southwest Airlines is as follows:

Southwest Departure at Fort Lauderdale Airport Terminal

Southwest Airlines departs from Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Services include check-in, security, dining, and shopping.

Southwest Airlines Check-in Counter FLL

Southwest self-check-in kiosks at Fort Lauderdale Airport are located at level 2 (ticketing level) in FLL Terminal 1, Concourse A. Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest terminal check-in counter opens 90 minutes before the first flight of the day. All checked bags must be dropped off at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. 

Online check-in facilities are also available, which open 24 hours before departure.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Security Checkpoint Terminal 1

Terminal 1 has only one centralized TSA security checkpoint, located near the terminal entrance, that serves all the concourses (A, B, and C). 

• Operating hours are generally from 4:00 am to 9:45 pm.
• The Fort Lauderdale Airport TSA wait times in Terminal 1 can vary between 15 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the passenger volume.
• The Southwest Fort Lauderdale Airport Terminal 1 custom office operates from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
• Expedited programs, such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, are also available at the FLL airport for passengers flying with Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Gate Number at FLL

Southwest Airlines arrives and departs from Concourse A and Concourse B. The respective Southwest Airlines boarding gate numbers for both concourses are:

Southwest Airlines Lounge at FLL

Currently, there is no particular FLL Southwest lounge or waiting area at Terminal 1. However, the FLL Southwest Airlines terminal has standard gate-area waiting spaces. However, Southwest Airlines’ passengers with a Priority Pass membership and an American Express Platinum Card can access other Lounges at FLL, such as the Escape Lounge. 

Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest Terminal Food

The most popular food and restaurants at Southwest Terminal 1 are:

• Air Margaritaville Fort Lauderdale – B-C Connector
• Starbucks – Lower level pre-security, Concourse A/B/C post-security
• Auntie Anne’s – B-C Connector
• BurgerFi – Concourse A
• Shula Burger – Concourse C
• Great American Bagel – Lower Level 
• Red Stripe – Concourse B
• Whisky River – Concourse B
• Burger King – Concourse B
• La Familia Tacos & Tequila – Concourse A
• Urban Market Kiosk – Concourse B
• Offerdahl’s – Concourse C
• Rocco’s Tacos – Concourse C
• Kona Big Wave Bar – Lower Level
• Sergio’s – Concourse B

Shops at Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest Terminal 

The Fort Lauderdale International Airport Southwest Terminal features duty-free retail shops for last-minute shopping.

• 3Sixty Duty Free & More – B-C Connector
• Sweet Indulgences – B-C Connector
• Rip Curl – B-C Connector
• 5th & Sunset – B-C Connector and Concourse A
• CNN – Concourse A
• Tech on the Go – Concourse A and C
• Island Of Bahama – Concourse A
• Intracoastal News – Concourse B
• M•A•C – B-C Connector
• Ink by Hudson – B-C Connector
• Harley Davidson – B-C Connector
• Hudson News – Concourse A
• Desigual – Concourse B
• Hudson – Concourse B
• NewsLink – Concourse C

Fort Lauderdale Airport Parking for Southwest Airlines Terminal

For self-parking near Fort Lauderdale Airport Terminal 1, options include Palm, Hibiscus, and Cyprus garages. 

Valet parking is available at the west end of the FLL Departures Level, right at the curbside of Terminal 1.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest Arrival Terminal

Southwest terminals arrive at Terminal (Concourse A and B) at FLL Airport. Southwest arrivals at Fort Lauderdale Airport are on the lower level, where baggage claim belts and oversized baggage services are located.

Southwest Baggage Claim Fort Lauderdale

The baggage claim is located on Level 1 (lower level), which can be accessed by following the marked signs. The baggage claim gate number is mentioned on the boarding pass. However, the belt/carousel number is mentioned on the digital screen within the terminal.

Large or oversized luggage arrives on a different carousel. Make sure to check with the airlines.

FLL Airport Southwest Airlines Lost and Found

For the items lost in the aircraft, the boarding area, the check-in area, or the car rental area, passengers should contact the airline or the car rental company immediately. The FLL lost and found office does not handle items lost in these areas.

FLL Airport Southwest Terminal Ground Transportation

Ground transportation pick-up is available on the lower-level curbside, which is clearly marked. The most common Southwest Terminal FLL airport ground transportation options include:

• Public Transit
• Shuttle 
• Taxi/Limos
• Ride-Share Services
• Hotel Shuttle
• Car Rental

How to Get to Terminal 1 at FLL Airport

Located on the southwest side of the airport, the Southwest Airlines Terminal at FLL airport is easy to access.

By Car: Follow the airport signs for Terminal 1 or Departures if dropping someone off, and Arrivals if picking someone up. From I-595, US-1, or I-95, follow the “Airport/Terminal 1” directions.

By Public Transit: Broward County Transit and Tri-Rail shuttles provide easy connections to the southwest terminal in Fort Lauderdale Airport. Upon arrival, follow the FLL Terminal 1 directions to the Southwest Terminal FLL signs to reach the check-in area.

By Bus: The Palm Tran 100 bus provides service from downtown Fort Lauderdale to Terminal 1 at FLL, with a travel time of about 30 minutes.

By Shuttle: Airport shuttles stop are locations near Terminal 1 entrances. Look for the signs showing Terminal 1.

Car Rental: The FLL car rental center is located at Terminal 1, 600 Terminal Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. For returning the car, follow the “Rental Car Center” signage.

Taxi or Ride Share: The drop-off for Southwest Airlines terminal at Fort Lauderdale Airport is on the Departures Level, and pick-up areas are on the lower-level curbside.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest Terminal 1 Map

The FLL airport map makes it easy to find the Southwest Airlines check-in counters, access boarding gates, locate the baggage claim area, the lost and found office, parking areas, ground transportation, and other facilities.

News or Recent Updates on FLL Airport Southwest Terminal

Fort Lauderdale International Airport is working with Southwest Airlines for major improvements in Terminal 1.

• Terminal 1’s major modernization project includes a new five-gate concourse, a connector structure between concourses B and C, an 80,000 sq ft airside court, and a 12-lane centralized security checkpoint to streamline the passenger flow.
• The connector walkways project is estimated to cost ~$260 million and is targeted for completion in late 2027.
• The Fort Lauderdale Airport Southwest Terminal’s expansion plan includes new gates, improved concessions, and better way-finding signage throughout Terminal 1, aligning with growth in international and domestic traffic.

In addition, construction of Terminal 5, a new $404 million facility with five gates, is set to open by mid-2026, helping reduce congestion.

Quick FLL Southwest Airlines Travel Tips

Following a few smart FLL airport southwest travel tips can make air travel easy.

• The best time to arrive for the Southwest flight FLL is at least 2 hours before departure for smooth check-in, security, and boarding.
• If travelling with checked baggage, allow enough time for the Southwest baggage drop at FLL.
• Use the self-service kiosks for early check-in for Southwest at FLL and bag tagging when possible.
• Check Southwest’s app or the airport monitors to track Southwest flight delays at FLL.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)