Tampa Airport (TPA) Flights & Information

Tampa Airport (TPA) serves the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater metro area, and it is the primary gateway to the Gulf Coast of Florida offering an array of international and domestic flights. This airport is constantly growing, especially with more people moving to the Sunshine State and it being a top vacation destination.

Currently under development, the airport is working on an entirely new airside concourse that will grow the size of the terminal exponentially when it opens in 2028. The airport wants to expand from the current 24 million passengers to 35 million in 2037. For now, TPA provides western Floridians and those that want to visit the area with ample choice for flights. Here’s what you need to know to improve your experience.

Airport layout

TPA is designed around a central terminal building with four concourses (the airport calls them “airsides”) that branch off around it and are connected via train. This design is efficient because it divides the security lanes by concourse thinning the queues considerably for travelers.

While passengers do not clear security until after they take the train to their departing airside concourse, only ticketed passengers have access to the train. If you want to say buy to a loved one, you’ll have to do it before they show a boarding pass to get on the train.

Disappointingly, there are no CLEAR lanes at any airside security entrance at TPA.

When the new airside opens in 2028, it will add 16 gates and a larger immigration facility, paving the way for more international flight capacity. This will help the airport compete for more traffic as Orlando (about two hours away) has more long-haul overseas flights.

What to expect airside

I really like how the airport is arranged because it reduces crowds, but it does limit travelers from easily using facilities in other concourses. If you have a favorite restaurant that is in a different area, it is a pain to have to clear security twice since each of the four concourses is not connected past security.

That’s why it is best to dine at the main terminal if you are traveling with people heading out on different airlines as you will have to split up to go to each airside.

It is worth the effort though to go to RumFish Grill in Airside C to see its 1,300 gallon fish tank. It is home to 75 fish species native to the region and colorful coral as their backdrop. It really is a crowd pleaser, but save time to reclear security if flying from another concourse.

Once through security, each airside has its own dining venues. Among my favorites are Bavaro’s for its Neapolitan wood-fired oven pizza in Airside C and Beers of the World in Airside E, where you can prepare for an overseas trip by sampling from a menu of dozens of beers spanning four continents.

The only lounges at the airport are the Delta SkyClub (Airside E) and American Admirals Club (Airside F). For an airport this size, it would be nice to have other airline or credit card-accessible options. Space for more lounges will be available in the new concourse being built.

Priority Pass cardholders have a dining credit to use at the Cafe by Mise en Place in Airside F, but you need to plan extra time to get there if not departing from that concourse.

A friendly reminder: If you have Priority Pass through a credit card (rather than paying for a Priority Pass annual membership), chances are you are not eligible for this credit due to recent rule changes.

This is also the concourse that handles most of the airport’s international arrivals. Lines at TPA immigration are not excessively long, but having Global Entry or Mobile Passport can help.

None of the airline lounges in the airport has shower facilities, which is disappointing if connecting to another flight after a long journey. But, if there is time, the Tampa Airport Marriott offers day use rates.

What to expect landside

It is great to see how TPA is focused on making things as simple as possible for travelers. There are numerous landside amenities that help both travelers and the people sending them off (or welcoming them home).

Dining and shopping

From local souvenirs to books, golfing gear and sundries, there is a shop selling what you need. There are some feisty dining choices, too, like a Hard Rock Cafe that always seems busy and P.F. Changs, which I really enjoy.

Blue and Red Express Curbside lanes

Not everyone is checking a bag before departure or needs to pick up a boarding pass since they have it on their phone or have already printed it at home. Arriving passengers may not need to visit baggage claim, either. TPA helps these people avoid the crowds with Blue Express Curbside.

This special “blue” lane is marked clearly upon entering the airport to direct drivers to a dropoff and pickup area that allows those without bags to make a beeline to the gate or to their car. The “red” lanes on the other side of the airport will serve the same role when they open in 2025.

Tampa Airport Marriott

Connected to the terminal, this hotel offers easy access to the terminal with a direct elevator from the lobby. Many guest rooms have excellent views of the airfield, perfect for plane spotting. There is also an outdoor pool deck for a refreshing dip after a long flight.

For years, the circular feature atop the hotel was a revolving restaurant, but it has now stopped its continuous, 360-degree spin in favor of serving as banquet space.

Airport art collection

From the moment you see the oversized flamingo statue in the main terminal, you quickly realize this airport really leans into its Floridian vibe. This pink bird is 21 feet tall and one of my favorite airport art pieces in the world. I have never walked past without people snapping photos with its beak.

All from local talent, the terminals’ woven tapestries, photographs, statues and murals add travel and nature-themed art surprises throughout the airport. If you have extra time before departure, it is worth walking past your own gate to explore what is on display.

Parking

There are a substantial number of parking options from covered decks to cheaper offsite lots. The long-term parking lots now have moving walkways, which is a big plus when traveling with bags in the hot and muggy summer weather.

My strong recommendation is to reserve your parking spot in advance to be sure you will have one when you arrive. But, the most common criticism here is that there are not enough electric vehicle parking spaces.

If you have an EV, I recommend contacting an airport hotel like the Homewood Suites by Hilton or Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Avion Park, both in Westshore. They have overnight rates that include long-term parking, electric car chargers and free shuttles to the airport.

The airport has a public bus route as well as an offsite rental car center. Both of these are accessible by taking the free SkyConnect train from the transfer level of the main terminal (where most of the shops are).

Perks for aviation buffs

If you are not flying, but love aviation like me…you are in luck. The airport offers free guided tours to schools, organizations and even individuals. You can book in advance on the airport website to get a behind-the-scenes look of one of Florida’s busiest airports.

I highly suggest visiting the outdoor terrace on the ticketing floor between the main terminal and the SkyConnect train station. From here, you can survey those engines revving up for the runway and taxiing planes on the airfield. It is a great spot to wait for arriving passengers, especially if wanting to entertain kids.

Alternate airport

While Tampa serves the larger area, there is another airport named St. Petersburg/Clearwater here, too. Its primary airline is Allegiant Airlines, which sells discount flights and vacation packages. The potential savings by flying from there can be impressive.

I tried it once (with hesitation since it skimps on the perks) and was surprised at how cheap it was to travel with a small carry-on bag. The main thing to be aware of is that the airport is bare-bones (no lounges or impressive art sculptures), and Allegiant’s flights are not daily.

If one gets canceled, you may have to wait days for the next departure. Allegiant will not protect travelers on delayed or canceled flights on alternate airlines from another airport. This is part of the tradeoff for the much cheaper airfare flying Allegiant.