Miami Airport Voted Best for Layovers and No One Is Buying It

Nothing like a relaxing layover at MIA, where green liquid falls from the ceiling and the escalators are constantly broken.

By Naomi Feinstein

May 6, 2025

Image: A crowded terminal at Miami International Airport (MIA) with passengers walking through Concourse D, showcasing the airport’s heavy traffic and growing demand

No better place to spend a long layover than Miami International Airport, said no one ever. Photo from Miami-Dade Aviation Dept

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$2,200

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Between random green liquid pouring out of the ceiling, broken escalators and elevators, the constantly out-of-service Skytrain, and the outdated carpeting running through the terminals that makes it impossible to roll a suitcase, Miami International Airport (MIA) is anything but an easy or relaxing travel experience.

However, Global Traveler magazine, as part of its 13th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards, found MIA to be the best airport for layovers. According to a press release announcing the news, the magazine's readers answered open-ended questions between September 2024 and January 2025 to determine the winners.

"Congratulations to the entire MIA team for once again earning this global recognition for outstanding service," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava added in the press release. "As MIA's $9 million 'Modernization in Action Plan' continues to transform MIA and enhance the airport experience with new shops, restaurants, and lounges, MIA is setting a new standard, and I'm confident that this is just the beginning of many more honors to come."

While the mayor believes the new award is a testament to the improvements and enhancements made at the airport, Miamians aren't buying it. As news about the survey results hit the Twittersphere, AKA the platform now known as X, Miami social media users had some thoughts about their local airport's ranking as the best for layovers.

"That's a joke 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣," one comment reads. "Caribbean has better airports than MIA."

New Times' very own sports columnist and writer Ryan Yousefi chimed in.

"Legitimately one of the wildestly wrong things I've ever seen on this app," Yousefi wrote on X. (That's saying a lot considering the social media platform is constantly flooded with fake news and bots.)

Legitimately one of the wildestly wrong things I've ever seen on this app. https://t.co/fEhGHXcCsW
— Ryan Yousefi (@RyanRYousefi) May 6, 2025

Another user may have an explanation for why the results ended up in MIA's favor.

the people who disagree couldn't fill out the survey because they are still walking across the airport waiting for the train to be finally fixed https://t.co/ySLrGD97ik
— Luis Gonzalez (@byLuisGonzalez) May 5, 2025

"The people who disagree couldn't fill out the survey because they are still walking across the airport waiting for the train to be finally fixed," the user responded.

One user does not think very highly of MIA, while another called it a "third-world country airport."

"MIA is the worst airport in the U.S. by far," another person responded.

MIA is the worst airport in the U.S. by far
— Luis Merida (@louduva5150) May 5, 2025

In other MIA news, the airport came in at no. 9 on Food & Wine's Top 10 U.S. Airports for food and drink last month. Food & Wine clout aside, though, we know our city. And we will never forget the sad-looking rectangle MIA pizza that Redditors roasted on the platform last summer.

Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as a summer intern in 2019, then returned as a fellow in August 2022 before joining the staff full-time in February 2023. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, the Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

A message from Naomi Feinstein: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today