Fort Lauderdale Airport

My mother and I travel frequently and we had a layover in Fort Lauderdale before reaching Cancun, Mexico. We also had a layover here on our way back home to Tampa, Florida. The people that work there are so rude. It gets worse every year, but this year it prompted me to write this review because some of the workers made me really upset. Before I begin, I do understand that the workers have a job to do and that they have to take it seriously because it is an airport. However, they do not need to be disrespectful in any way to get the job done. As we were going through security, an old man, in his 80s, could barely speak English. They put him through hell at security. I felt so bad for how disrespectful one of the security guards was towards this man. They made this man walk through the machine at least 8 times and it kept beeping. One of the male security guards became very irritated and started to roll his eyes and murmur things under his breath. He then raised his voice at the man, which, keep in mind, did absolutely nothing wrong. I don't understand why they didn't just pat him down instead of keep making him go through the machine over and over and over again. On our way back home, we had to go through Border Customs. We had bought items in Mexico's airport from the Duty-Free shop. This is where they bag everything specially so that you can take it on board the plane with you. The border customs officer was rude to my mother and I. We asked a million times how many cartons of cigarettes we could take and how many bottles of alcohol even though we went in June of 2015 and the customs officers told us everything we had was fine and the correct amount. We were told 2 cartons of cigarettes per adult and 3 bottles per adult, which in June is what we had. This customs officer told us that we were wrong, and it was 1 carton of cigarettes per adult and only 1 bottle of liquor per adult. He then began to lecture us on how he's been here for years and he knows the rules. He told us we would be charged $10 per item that we brought "illegally". Then said he would, "let it slide this time". I do not appreciate being told different things by different workers at the same airport and being talked to like I'm incoherent. I showed utmost respect to this officer and he still gave me an attitude and tried to argue with me. I was very tempted to begin yelling but I made the decision not to and will never return to that airport ever again. I wish I could've gotten the officers name because I was disappointed with him. All I ask for is respect in return. Not to mention the food/dining was horrible. Every airport has a Starbucks, this one didn't. My flight was delayed and I needed coffee to keep me awake, but could not find any okay coffee place. I would give a 0/10 if I could.

When arriving here our flight could barely deplane because of the crowds and chaos inside the terminal. When we went to depart they wouldn't let us check-in our luggage for 6 hours, when they finally allowed us to check in for our flight, TSA informed us that we still had another hour wait prior to getting through security because the terminal was too crowded. None of the individuals we encountered were polite, friendly or helpful. Additionally, the food choices are limited-especially when you can't wait in the terminal. Terrible layout, terrible service, worst travel experience ever. Save yourself some trouble and fly out of another airport if possible. We certainly will next time.

I don't even want to complain about the old airport, and dirty carpets. What I am complaining is a real issue, in the last 2 years (maybe even more) the airport waiting times keep increasing, no matter the airline or even the hour that you travel there is always a delay, not a 15 min delay, this is a minimum of one hour. The planes never have a free gate to go to. Always have to wait for ever to be able to get a gate, then you go into a line at Immigration and customs because they never have enough staff to handle the amount of travellers. This is a embarrassment.

I have been using this airport only when I cannot fly out of West Palm Beach. For the last five years I don't think I have had one half decent experience. This airport is an embarrassment to the US. Quite possibly the worst. I mean come on, Fort Lauderdale is a tourist haven, a great place to visit and vacation and its an embarrassment. Firstly, the parking is awful. Every time I have flown out of this mess I have had trouble parking. Even to the point where I have tried remote parking several times which is actually a relief believe it or not, but time consuming. Today I followed the sign into the economy parking which actually puts you into the exit route. I was not the only one who did this so having toured the huge parking garage twice I finally somehow ended up in Valet parking but I was not supposed to be there. So 35 minutes later I finally find a parking spot. The new green light red light parking spot indicator does not work at all. So having found the elevator to see level 4 elevator is actually level 3 parking garage and then when you get out at the terminal departure level you have to walk up a set of stairs to get on the overpass to the terminal. Who designs a garage that does not have an elevator that stops on the floor for the main overpass to the terminal. I am really looking forward to flying back in on Sunday to go through this all again in reverse. Fort Lauderdale do something about this. Secondly, the services, restaurants and bars in the terminals are dire. The AC does not seem to work properly.

Terminal H is horrible. Very little food selection. Once through security there is only access to minimal facilities. Only a few outlets for charging phones - many don't work! Generally, too many passengers and too busy in the terminal.

We flew with Air Canada to Ottawa. There is no Lounge access for Status Customer and/or BC Traveler. Departure was on time. Boarding were earlier than announced. Security check was fast but unfriendly.

Worst airport I've traveled to. Customs is a joke especially if you are trying to catch a connecting flight. They don't care if you are going to miss your flight and have no respect towards customers. I have never seen such an unorganized international airport. I will be avoiding this airport at all costs. Spend a little more money and do what you can to avoid this stress.

Having travelled the world this is one of the worst airports I've had the unfortunate pleasure to experience. Third world countries have more organized and passenger friendly airports than FLL. Not one employee seems to be engaged in their job and there is terrible to no choice to find something to eat. The restaurant staff do not offer a smile let alone "please come and spend money with us" and there was even an employee in uniform sleeping on one of the seats at a gate. Get your act together Ft Lauderdale your airport is an embarrassment.

Worst experience ever for going through customs at Ft Lauderdale airport. They treat passengers horribly. Won't travel internationally through this airport ever again.

Of all the airports I've been to both domestic and internationally FLL ranks at the bottom of the list. While I had no problems getting in or out processing through security or boarding or de-boarding the plane it is the airport itself which has no personality or amenities for passengers. For someone with a few hours to kill you need more than two massive overly crowded food courts. Here all they offer are two food and drink areas both massively packed. I was relegated to five chicken strips and a domestic beer standing up while eating (no where to sit) for about $15. Most airports have many different areas like several basic food areas more upscale options and several more sports pub/bar areas. Not here it is all thrown into one area with confusing cafeteria style lines and nowhere to sit. I would avoid this airport at all costs. My home airport LAX is a joke but seems like a luxury compared to this place.