Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Most Southwest departures use gates in Concourses A and B, but gate assignments can change. Check your boarding pass or the Southwest app on the day of travel before heading through security.
Quick Answer
Southwest Airlines is in Terminal 1 at FLL. Southwest currently lists gates A1–A5 and B2, B4–B9, although the exact gate may change. Use Terminal 1 for check-in and bag drop, then confirm the concourse and gate in the Southwest app or on airport flight displays.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest uses Terminal 1 at FLL, mainly in Concourses A and B.
- Current Southwest gate information lists A1–A5 and B2, B4–B9, but travelers should verify the gate on departure day.
- Southwest now uses assigned seating and boarding Groups 1–8; the old open-seating process ended on January 27, 2026.
- FLL provides free Wi-Fi, charging locations, dining, shopping, accessibility services, parking, rental cars, taxis, rideshare, and other ground transportation.
- Construction and airline schedules can change terminal access, routes, and gate assignments, so check official airport and airline information before leaving for FLL.
Note: FLL is the airport code for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. “Southwest Terminal” is common traveler shorthand, but Terminal 1 is an airport terminal shared with other carriers rather than a terminal owned exclusively by Southwest.
Southwest Airlines at FLL: Quick Facts
| Terminal | Terminal 1 |
| Typical Southwest Gates | A1–A5 and B2, B4–B9; verify the assigned gate before departure |
| Check-In | Online check-in opens 24 hours before the original scheduled departure; Terminal 1 has Southwest ticketing and bag-drop facilities |
| Boarding | Assigned seating with boarding Groups 1–8 |
| Airport Wi-Fi | Free airport-provided Wi-Fi |
| Pickup Level | Lower-level Arrivals curb; follow signs for the correct transportation zone |
History and Development of Southwest Airlines at FLL
According to the official FLL history timeline, Southwest began flying at FLL in January 1996, not in the early 1990s. The airline later expanded its Fort Lauderdale schedule and helped manage the design and construction of the airport’s Terminal 1 modernization project, including the five-gate Concourse A and international-processing facilities. Broward County reports that the broader Terminal 1 modernization was completed in November 2019.
Today, Southwest is a major operator at FLL, but it is more accurate to describe Fort Lauderdale as an important Southwest station rather than an airline “hub” unless Southwest itself uses that term for current operations. Flight frequency and route availability change by season, day of the week, and operating plan.
Terminal 1 Design, Layout, and Gate Areas
Terminal 1 includes Concourses A, B, and C. Southwest currently publishes gate locations in Concourses A and B. The concourses within Terminal 1 are connected, but travelers should still use the checkpoint and concourse shown on their boarding pass because walking time can vary.
Departing passengers should follow airport signs for Terminal 1 Departures and the Southwest ticket counter. After check-in and bag drop, use the security checkpoint shown by airport signage and continue to the assigned concourse. Large windows, updated signs, concessions, seating, and passenger-service areas were added or improved during the airport’s Terminal 1 modernization.
Warning: Do not rely on an old screenshot, saved itinerary, or general gate list as your final gate assignment. Gates can change because of aircraft swaps, weather, construction, or operational needs. Confirm the gate in the Southwest app and on FLL flight displays after you arrive.
Security Checkpoints and When to Arrive
FLL publishes Terminal 1 checkpoint hours and warns that they can change without notice. Check the airport’s current security information before travel, especially for early-morning departures, holidays, cruise-ship weekends, and other busy periods.
Southwest online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight’s original scheduled departure. Arrive with enough time to complete bag drop, document checks when required, security screening, and the walk to your gate. International travelers should allow extra time for passport and travel-document checks.
Pro Tip: Save your mobile boarding pass and take a screenshot before entering the terminal. Airport Wi-Fi is available, but having an offline copy prevents delays if your phone temporarily loses service.
Amenities and Services in Terminal 1
| Dining | Quick-service food, coffee, bars, and sit-down options; locations and hours can change |
| Shopping | Newsstands, travel essentials, gifts, and other retail concessions |
| Wi-Fi and Power | Free Wi-Fi throughout FLL, with charging stations or outlets in select terminal areas |
| Passenger Services | Restrooms, ATMs, accessibility assistance, lactation spaces, pet-relief facilities, and airport customer service |
| Lounges | Southwest does not list a branded lounge at FLL; access to any other lounge depends on its current location, entry rules, and your eligibility |
Concession names and opening hours change, so use FLL’s official Dine & Shop directory rather than relying on an old list of restaurants or stores. This is especially important for very early or late flights, when fewer businesses may be open.
Southwest Flight Operations and Destinations From FLL
Southwest serves domestic and international routes from Fort Lauderdale, but a fixed destination count can become outdated quickly. The airline’s current Fort Lauderdale page lists popular routes that may include Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Atlanta, Nashville, San Juan, Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby, Washington Reagan, Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Montego Bay, and Havana.
Some routes operate daily, while others are seasonal or run only on selected days. A city shown on Southwest’s network page may also require a connection for the dates you choose. Use the airline’s live booking tool to confirm whether a flight is nonstop, which days it operates, and whether an international itinerary is available.
The most reliable route information is the schedule for your exact travel date—not a static list of cities published months earlier.
Passenger Experience and Southwest Boarding at FLL
Passengers can check in through the Southwest website or app, use airport kiosks where available, drop checked bags at the airline’s Terminal 1 facilities, pass through TSA screening, and continue to the assigned gate. Free airport Wi-Fi and charging locations can help travelers monitor flight updates while waiting.
The article’s former description of Southwest as a no-assigned-seating airline is no longer correct. Southwest transitioned to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. Most fares allow seat selection during booking, while Basic fares generally receive a Standard seat assignment at check-in unless another benefit applies. Boarding now uses Groups 1 through 8 instead of the former A, B, and C boarding groups with numbered positions.
Families traveling on the same confirmation number are assigned to the same boarding group. Southwest says it will work to seat children age 12 and younger next to at least one adult in the party when seats are limited, but families should choose seats as early as their fare and benefits allow.
Sustainability Initiatives Affecting the Terminal Experience
Terminal facilities at FLL are owned and managed by Broward County, so airport features such as lighting, waste systems, building upgrades, and terminal construction should not be described as Southwest-only programs without project-specific evidence. Terminal 1 has received major modernization work, including updated passenger areas, concessions, signs, and building systems.
At the airline level, Southwest has published a goal of working toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, along with nearer-term carbon, circularity, and collaboration targets. These are companywide goals and should not be confused with a verified, separate sustainability program for Southwest’s FLL gate area.
Airline Partnerships, Connections, and Terminal Transfers
Southwest reported that it began introducing international airline partnerships in 2025, but travelers should not assume every partner itinerary at FLL includes through-ticketing, protected connections, or automatic baggage transfer. The rules depend on how the trip was booked and which airlines operate each segment.
Warning: On separate tickets, you may need to collect checked bags, change terminals, check in again, and clear security again. Leave a generous connection window and confirm baggage-transfer rules with both airlines before travel.
Within Terminal 1, Concourses A, B, and C are connected. FLL is also building terminal connectors intended to improve post-security movement between more terminals. Until construction is complete and the airport confirms a route is open, follow current signs and allow extra time for any terminal change.
Future Expansion and Development at FLL
Future work should be described as airport development rather than a confirmed Southwest-only expansion. Broward County’s November 2025 capital-project presentation described a terminal-connector project that includes a 14,200-square-foot expansion of Terminal 1, a connector between Terminals 1 and 2, and broader infrastructure improvements. The plans are subject to procurement, construction schedules, operational changes, and later revisions.
These projects may improve circulation and passenger amenities, but they can also create temporary walking detours, closed areas, traffic changes, or gate adjustments. Check FLL construction notices and your airline’s day-of-travel messages before arriving.
Transportation, Parking, and Pickup at Terminal 1
FLL offers taxis, rideshare services, rental cars, parking, shuttles, public transportation, and other ground-transportation options. Passenger pickup is generally on the lower-level Arrivals curb, while departing travelers follow signs for the upper-level Departures curb. Drivers should use the designated zone for the service they are using rather than stopping in an active traffic lane.
Rideshare pickup locations are marked on the lower level. Rental-car customers should follow signs for the Rental Car Center and airport shuttle or pedestrian directions shown at the terminal. Parking is available in FLL’s garages, and the airport also provides a cell-phone waiting area for drivers meeting arriving passengers.
Tips for Navigating Southwest Airlines at FLL
- Check in 24 hours before departure: This gives you access to your boarding pass and helps you review your seat and boarding group.
- Verify Terminal 1 and the gate: Confirm the latest information in the Southwest app and on FLL displays.
- Use the correct curb level: Departures are on the upper level; pickups and most ground transportation use the lower Arrivals level.
- Review checkpoint hours: FLL states that TSA checkpoint schedules can change without notice.
- Keep essentials in your personal item: Carry medication, identification, travel documents, chargers, and one change of clothing where you can reach them.
- Allow extra time for international travel or separate-ticket connections: Passport checks, baggage recheck, customs, and terminal changes can add time.
- Know who handles a lost item: Contact Southwest for items left on the aircraft or checked baggage issues; contact FLL Lost and Found for items lost in public airport areas.
For packing ideas, see our guide to the best carry-on luggage for international travel. A well-organized carry-on can make security screening, terminal walking, and unexpected delays easier to manage.
Conclusion and Outlook for Southwest Airlines at FLL
Southwest Airlines passengers should go to Terminal 1 at FLL and then confirm the exact concourse and gate for their flight. The most useful trip-planning details are the current gate assignment, live checkpoint information, assigned-seat and boarding-group rules, and the airport’s latest transportation and construction notices.
Terminal 1 has modern passenger facilities and a broad range of services, while ongoing airport projects are intended to improve future circulation and capacity. Because routes, concessions, gates, and construction conditions can change, travelers should use official Southwest and FLL sources for final day-of-travel decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What terminal is Southwest Airlines in at Fort Lauderdale Airport?
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Check your boarding pass on travel day because gate assignments can change.
Which gates does Southwest use at FLL?
Southwest currently lists gates A1–A5 and B2, B4–B9 in Terminal 1. Your assigned gate may differ because of operational changes, so verify it in the app and on airport displays.
How do I get to Terminal 1 at FLL?
Follow airport roadway signs for Terminal 1. Use the upper Departures level for airline check-in and drop-off. Arriving-passenger pickup and most ground transportation use the lower Arrivals level.
Where do I check in for a Southwest flight at FLL?
Check in online or in the Southwest app beginning 24 hours before departure. For airport check-in, bag drop, or document assistance, go to Southwest’s ticketing area in Terminal 1.
Does Southwest still have open seating?
No. Southwest changed to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. The airline now uses boarding Groups 1–8, and seat-selection rules depend on the fare, status, card benefits, and seat availability.
What amenities are available in Terminal 1?
Terminal 1 has dining, retail, restrooms, ATMs, free airport Wi-Fi, charging locations, and passenger-assistance services. Concession names and hours change, so check FLL’s current Dine & Shop directory.
Is there a Southwest lounge at FLL?
Southwest does not list a branded airport lounge at FLL. Entry to any lounge run by another company or airline depends on that lounge’s current access rules and your eligibility.
Where do rideshare drivers pick up passengers at FLL Terminal 1?
Rideshare pickup uses designated areas on the lower Arrivals level. Follow the signs and the pickup instructions in your rideshare app because airport zones can be adjusted for traffic or construction.
Where do international Southwest passengers clear customs at FLL?
FLL has U.S. Customs facilities in Terminals 1 and 4. The arrival location depends on the flight, so follow crew instructions, airport signs, and the arrival information for your specific service.
Sources
- Southwest Airlines: Flights from Fort Lauderdale — Terminal 1, current gate ranges, Wi-Fi, and route information.
- Southwest Airlines: Assigned Seating — assigned-seat rules, fare-based seat selection, family seating, and boarding Groups 1–8.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: Where Is My Airline? — airline terminal information and international-arrival processing.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: Guest Services — free Wi-Fi, charging locations, and terminal services.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: Ground Transportation — taxis, rideshare, rental cars, parking, and other transportation options.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: TSA Checkpoint Hours — current Terminal 1 checkpoint information and schedule warnings.
