Miami Airport Soars with Record Passenger Traffic and Long Flights

Miami International Airport achieved a record milestone in 2024, welcoming 55.9 million passengers, making it the tenth-busiest airport in the United States. This marks a notable 7% increase from the previous record set in 2023 and a significant 22% rise compared to pre-pandemic figures from 2019. Over the past five years, the airport has seen an impressive addition of 10 million passengers, solidifying its status as a vital hub for international travel, particularly to South America.

While Miami is the leading gateway to South America, it ranks as the eighth-busiest airport in the U.S. for long-haul passenger flights, according to data from OAG. It also holds the title of the ninth-busiest widebody airport, despite not being a primary hub for American Airlines.

Longest Nonstop Flights from Miami

As Miami gears up for the winter travel season, which begins on October 26, 2024, a new schedule will be in effect until March 28, 2025. During this period, the airport’s ten longest scheduled passenger flights will range from 10 hours 55 minutes to 16 hours 35 minutes. Notably, Icelandair’s new service to Keflavik is not included in this list.

The longest nonstop flight from Miami is operated by Emirates, with a duration of 16 hours 35 minutes on the route from Dubai. This service, covering 6,817 nautical miles (approximately 12,625 kilometers) each way, has been in operation since 2021. It replaced the less successful Dubai-Fort Lauderdale route, which had a seat fill rate of only 74%.

In contrast, the Miami-Dubai route has seen a seat occupancy of just 65%, with no month exceeding 81%. Despite this, Emirates has extended its operations to Bogotá since 2024, facilitating connections for passengers. In the year leading to July 2025, the airline transported 170,000 passengers between Miami and Dubai, with a significant portion connecting to other flights, particularly to Manila and Mumbai.

High Frequency Routes and Passenger Demand

Another major player in the long-haul market is Turkish Airlines, which operates the fourth-longest flight from Istanbul to Miami, lasting 13 hours. The airline maintains 11 weekly flights, with varying departure times to accommodate passengers. Between August 2024 and July 2025, Turkish Airlines carried 330,000 passengers on this route, achieving an 84% load factor. Most travelers on this route are estimated to connect to other destinations in Istanbul, with Athens and Moscow being particularly popular.

In addition to Emirates and Turkish Airlines, other airlines offer long-haul flights from Miami. Qatar Airways provides a 16 hours 30 minutes flight from Doha, while El Al services the Tel Aviv route with a flight time of 13 hours 50 minutes. LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa also feature prominently on the list with flights to Warsaw and Munich, respectively.

As the winter season approaches, Miami International Airport is poised to continue its momentum, drawing international travelers with its extensive long-haul flight offerings and robust passenger growth. With these developments, the airport reinforces its significance as a global travel hub, connecting diverse destinations and facilitating trade and tourism.