Exciting news for frequent flyers and premium passengers traveling through Miami International Airport (MIA): Air France has plans to open its own dedicated lounge featuring something unique for the airport—an outdoor terrace. This development represents another positive step in the ongoing improvement of MIA’s lounge offerings, which have historically lagged behind other major international gateways.
According to Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time, who discovered this information in a Miami-Dade Airport Committee Agenda document, the new Air France Lounge will be a significant upgrade from the current situation, where Air France premium passengers are directed to the often crowded Delta Sky Club.
Based on the information revealed in the 96-page airport document, the planned Air France Lounge will feature:
The lounge’s position in Concourse H is interesting since Air France flights currently typically depart from the higher gates of Concourse J. As Schlappig notes, it wouldn’t be surprising if Air France shifts its departures to Concourse H once the lounge opens, as there are suitable wide-body gates available in that concourse as well.
While this is exciting news, passengers will need to be patient as the lounge isn’t expected to open in the immediate future. According to the airport documents:
As with any major airport construction project, this timeline could shift, but it gives us a general idea of when to expect this new premium facility.
While specific details about the lounge amenities haven’t been revealed yet, we can make some educated guesses based on Air France’s existing lounges in the United States.
Air France is known for consistency in its lounge offerings, with facilities currently in Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles. These lounges typically feature:
One Mile at a Time also points out that since Miami is an airport that consistently receives Air France’s La Première (first class) service, the lounge will likely include a dedicated first class section, similar to other US Air France lounges that serve routes with first class cabins.
The announcement of the Air France Lounge comes amid a broader improvement in MIA’s premium facilities. As Schlappig notes, Miami International Airport—which he calls his home airport—”isn’t exactly award-winning” and has historically had a “rather grim” lounge situation.
However, several developments are changing this picture:
This expansion of lounge options is particularly welcome in Concourses H and J, which currently only have the Delta Sky Club, Avianca-TAP Lounge, LATAM Lounge, and Turkish Airlines Lounge.
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the planned Air France Lounge is its 1,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. This will be the first lounge at Miami International Airport to offer such a feature, providing passengers with an opportunity to enjoy Florida’s climate before boarding their flights.
Outdoor lounge spaces have become increasingly popular at airports worldwide, offering a breath of fresh air in the otherwise enclosed airport environment. Notable examples include:
Given Miami’s generally favorable weather conditions throughout much of the year, this outdoor space could become a signature feature of the lounge and a competitive advantage in attracting premium passengers.
While official access policies haven’t been announced, we can expect the lounge to follow Air France’s standard access guidelines:
The lounge will likely also welcome premium passengers from other SkyTeam airlines operating at MIA, potentially including Delta, Aeromexico, and others.
The planned Air France Lounge at Miami International Airport represents a significant upgrade for premium passengers traveling through MIA, particularly those flying with Air France and other SkyTeam carriers. With its spacious design, outdoor terrace, and Air France’s reputation for quality lounges, this facility should substantially improve the pre-flight experience.
As Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time concludes, “Air France does an excellent job with its outstation lounges,” and this new addition to Miami’s airport should be great, in line with Air France’s typical lounge offering in the United States.”
While the expected 2028 opening date means we’ll need to be patient, it’s encouraging to see continued investment in improving Miami International Airport’s facilities and passenger experience. This development, along with other planned lounge additions, suggests that MIA is finally addressing one of its historical weaknesses and working to create a more competitive premium travel experience.
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