Sarasota Bradenton Intl Airport (SRQ) Flights & Flight Status

Western Florida has numerous airport options for travelers, which can be helpful for those that want to compare prices between airlines or are looking for nonstop flights to their destination. Sarasota/Bradenton Intl Airport (SRQ) is an easy to use departure point for locals and a favorite destination for those looking for some fun in the sun. The airport serves mostly domestic flights, it has a solid mix of traditional and low-cost airlines. If you want to avoid crowds and make a beeline for the Gulf Coast beaches the area is famous for, Sarasota/Bradenton is an ideal choice. These tips can help you plan your trip with ease.

Small, convenient terminal

The terminal is one long concourse with just over a dozen gates labeled B1-B14. Ironically, there are no A concourse gates (this is where the airline check-in desks are). Once through security, the gates are in a row with a few restaurants and shops in between them.

One of the gates is designed for international arrivals with direct access to a passport control area, but there are not many scheduled international flights here. Still, the airport wants to be ready to welcome them, which is why it has this gate.

Air Canada serves SRQ, but travelers pre-clear immigration in Canada before boarding their flight. This means when they land at Sarasota/Bradenton, they do not have to clear passport control or customs and can exit the airport as if they were on a domestic flight.

Several coffee shops have grab-and-go snacks and drinks, and when I have time before a flight, the bacon melt burger at Dewar’s Clubhouse is not to be missed. This is the only sit-down restaurant in the departure area.

It is disappointing that there is no lounge here, but the airport is too small to have one. I do like that the airport’s website has links to flight tracking services for real-time flight details so you don’t have to arrive too early before your flight.

Given the small size of the terminal, when multiple flights are departing at once, the space can seem very crowded with limited seating and power outlets. At least, the Wi-Fi is fast and free.

For those waiting for arriving passengers, there are a few shops and a cafe in the landside of the airport before passing through security.

Airlines

All major U.S. airlines serve the airport with the most frequent flights being to nearby hub airports like on Delta to Atlanta and on American to Charlotte.

There are numerous low-cost airlines like Frontier, Allegiant and Avelo at the airport, too. This helps the airport to drive up competition and lower the cost of airfare.

Allegiant Air operates the most expansive route network from the airport to cities across the East Coast and Midwest. Its flights do not appear in online search engines. Instead, you have to book directly on its website or search using an aggregator website like Kayak.

Allegiant usually serves smaller airports, and its flights are not daily. But, you can find excellent bargains when booking one of its seasonal or year-round flights to or from SRQ.

Air Canada is the only international airline to serve the airport.

Security checkpoints

The airport has one central security checkpoint, and lines can be long first thing in the morning when nearly a dozen flights are scheduled to depart.

TSA PreCheck lanes help those with this expedited service to bypass most of the queue.

Getting to or from SRQ

Aside from the standard rideshare services and taxis, there is also the option to take public transportation to several hotels.

The “Breeze 76 Flyer Trolley” stops at eight hotels in the Sarasota area. The Breeze Rider app has more details on the schedule for the bus, which operates every half hour most of the day.

Sarasota County Area Transit also operates a public bus that stops at the airport. Numerous hotels in the area also have their own complimentary shuttles, which is a great perk for travelers that do not want to rent a car.

At times, there are no taxis stationed at the airport, but a courtesy phone in the arrival area links riders directly to the taxi company to send one to the airport. I usually prefer taking a rideshare service since you can track where they are via an app.

I like how the airport has rental car counters in the arrivals area of the airport without the need to take a shuttle to another location to pick up the keys. Cars are within walking distance of baggage claim. That is one of the benefits of using a smaller airport; everything is so simple and user-friendly.

If driving your own car, there is ample parking at the terminal or in remote lots with park-and-ride shuttles. I recommend pre-booking a parking spot, especially during the summer months when the parking lots can quickly fill up.

The airport draws travelers from Fort Myers to the south and Tampa/St. Petersburg to the north. Sarasota/Bradenton is in between both neighboring metro areas, and all three are popular vacation destinations.

Airport hotels

Early-morning departures make me nervous about oversleeping or finding a ride to the airport. That’s why I am a big fan of staying at an airport hotel before an early flight.

There is no hotel directly connected to the airport, but several are within the vicinity and have a free shuttle. The closest is the Courtyard by Marriott Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, and this is my preference since it is across the street from the airport entrance. If you oversleep, you could technically walk to the airport in a pinch.

Other options include Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton-Airport and Hyatt Place Sarasota/Bradenton Airport, each with a free shuttle to the terminal and free breakfast.

Unfortunately, none of them is close to the beach, but they do have a swimming pool if you want some time in the sun. Some airport hotels also have special rates that include parking while you are away from town. This can be a great deal instead of paying a daily fee at the airport lots.

What to do near the airport

If you have to check out of your hotel, but your flight is not until later, there is a lot to do in the area of the airport.

The Ringling Art Museum

On Mondays, the museum is free, and the gardens around the museum are always open to the public. This museum is home to the circus museum with historic galleries that detail the life for those that performed in the circus.

Through art, statues and detailed mockups, it is entertaining for all ages to learn about how Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey created “the greatest show on earth.” The museum is a two-minute drive from the airport.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Automotive fans will enjoy perusing the vehicle collection at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. Historic cars from the late 1800s to unique models from well-recognized brands like Porsche and Ferrari are on display. It is a two-minute drive from the airport.

The future of SRQ airport

Coming soon at SRQ airport is a major expansion plan that will help relieve some of the pressure inside the terminal, which can be very crowded at times.

The airport is handling 3.5 million more passengers than just a decade ago, and by early 2025, there will be more facilities in place to meet the growing demand.

A terminal extension will add five more gates on the ground level with passengers walking on the apron to climb stairs and reach awaiting aircraft. This new departure area will host Allegiant’s large operation of flights.

Other improvements in the terminal include more escalators down to the baggage claim area to reduce congestion when multiple flights arrive at once. The airport is also investing in a $50 million upgrade to its baggage system to improve the speed of getting bags from the plane to their owners.

A new transportation center will make the roadway in front of the terminal easier to navigate. This will be where public buses, taxis and rideshare services will pick up travelers from the airport. It will be a short walk from the terminal.

Eventually, the airport plans to triple its capacity by adding two new concourses (A and C) with nearly two dozen more gates. A new parking garage may also be in the works in the coming years to add more spaces.