You’ve checked the weather in South Florida, and it looks like paradise. Highs in the mid-70s, maybe a stray shower—the kind of stuff that makes people in the Northeast want to burn their winter coats. But honestly, if you’re looking at fort lauderdale flights today, the clear blue sky outside Terminal 3 isn't the only thing that matters.
Flying into or out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) on Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a bit of a mixed bag. The FAA is currently reporting "Normal" status for the airport, but as anyone who spends too much time in Terminal 4 knows, "Normal" in aviation is a relative term.
The Reality of FLL Delays Right Now
Don’t just trust the green "On Time" light on the big boards. Right now, FLL is seeing about a 7% delay rate on both arrivals and departures. That’s not a catastrophe, but it’s enough to ruin a tight connection to a cruise ship.
Most of these hiccups are short. We’re talking gate holds and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less. However, if you’re flying in from the Northeast or the Midwest, the "local" weather isn't your problem. Systemic delays from hubs like Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) are already trickling down. Specifically, Delta and JetBlue flights arriving from the New York area are seeing some pushback today.
Current Flight Status Snapshots
- Spirit Airlines: Multiple flights, including NK 1800 to LGA and NK 249 to Nashville, are moving, but Spirit is notorious for cascading delays if one plane gets stuck.
- JetBlue: They’re the big dog at FLL now. They just launched a massive expansion including routes to Cali, Colombia, and increased service to Boston. Check your app; with their growth, terminal congestion is real.
- Southwest: Generally stable today, though they have a standing advisory for anyone heading to Montego Bay due to infrastructure issues down there.
Why the Runway is a Headache This Week
Here is something most travelers miss because they don't read the NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions). The North Runway (10L-28R) is currently in the middle of a major maintenance project.
They are repairing the EMAS—that’s the "crushable concrete" at the end of the runway designed to stop planes that overshot. This work is continuous through April. Because of this, FLL is leaning heavily on the South Runway.
Starting tonight and running through January 23, they’ll be doing overnight painting and maintenance. If you’re on a red-eye or a late-night arrival, expect to land on the South Runway. If you live in the neighborhoods west or south of the airport, you’re going to hear a lot more jet engines than usual.
The Cruise Ship Chaos Factor
It’s Sunday. In Fort Lauderdale, Sunday is "Cruise Day."
With multiple massive ships docked at Port Everglades, the airport is a zoo. Most airlines at FLL have a strict rule on these peak days: they won't even let you check your bags until two hours before your flight. If you show up four hours early thinking you’ll breeze through security and grab a beer at Casavana, you’re going to be standing on the sidewalk with your luggage for a long time.
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Parking and Ground Transport: A Total Mess
If you are driving yourself to the airport today, good luck. Seriously.
The Hibiscus and Palm garages are filling up fast. FLL uses a "Space Finder" system with green lights to show open spots, but on a busy January Sunday, those lights are mostly red.
- Valet: Curbside valet is available but often closes temporarily when it hits capacity.
- Rideshares: Uber and Lyft wait times at FLL have been spiking. Drivers are struggling with the gridlock around the arrivals level. If you can, take the Brightline or a shuttle—it might save your sanity.
What Most People Get Wrong About FLL Weather
People see "73°F and Partly Cloudy" and assume everything is fine.
But look at the wind gusts. We’re seeing gusts up to 21 mph today. For a smaller plane or a pilot dealing with a crosswind on the South Runway, that can lead to "go-arounds" or spaced-out landing patterns.
Also, there’s a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) over Cape Canaveral today for space operations. While that’s north of us, it compresses the air traffic corridors over Florida. When the "space highway" is closed, every other plane has to squeeze into the remaining lanes. It’s a traffic jam in the sky.
Your Move: Actionable Tips for Today
Don't just sit at the gate and fume. If your fort lauderdale flights today are looking shaky, do these three things:
- Download the FLL Airport App: It has a real-time parking tracker that is actually accurate. It beats driving in circles for twenty minutes.
- Monitor the "Inbound" Flight: Don't just check your departure time. Use a tracker to see where your plane is coming from. If your plane is currently stuck in a snow squall in Detroit, it’s not making it to Fort Lauderdale on time, no matter what the gate agent says.
- Check Terminal 5 Progress: If you haven't been here in a bit, Terminal 5 is under construction. It’s meant to handle 4-5 million more people by the end of this year. For now, it just means more fences and slightly confusing signage. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to navigate the detours.
If you’re stuck, grab some food in Terminal 3—the options are way better than the cramped corners of Terminal 1. Stay hydrated, keep your app notifications on, and remember that everyone else is just as frustrated by the cruise crowd as you are.
The best way to handle FLL today is to expect a 20-minute delay and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen. Check the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center website if you want the "unfiltered" view of how the Florida airspace is behaving. Safe travels.