TPA will offer its highest-ever number of nonstop international flight options this summer

After its busiest spring break on record, Tampa International Airport is now looking ahead to a steady stream of passengers over the summer, with an estimated 6 million passengers expected during the busy summer travel months between Memorial Day and mid-August when local students return to school. TPA will average 512 daily flights over the summer with approximately 72,000 passengers daily.

While it's too early to say if the summer of 2025 will break any passenger records, the Airport does expect to see more passengers reaching new nonstop destinations than ever before. This year will see a record number of available international flights and seats for both leisure and business travelers. 

Both Avianca and Aeromexico will celebrate their first full summer of operations out of Tampa, with Avianca offering four flights a week to Bogota and Aeromexico providing daily nonstop service to Mexico City.

Airline schedules indicate a 170% increase vs. 2019 in scheduled available seats out of TPA to destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean including Cancun, Grand Cayman, Havana, Panama City, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.

This will also be TPA’s biggest summer for European travel, forecasting a 16% yearly jump in available seats with the return of four-times-a-week nonstop flights to Amsterdam on Delta Air Lines and expanded five-days-a-week service to Zurich on Edelweiss. Discover will continue offering daily service to Frankfurt, with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both offering daily nonstops to London (LGW and LHR).

For the first time ever, Air Canada and WestJet will offer nonstop west coast Canadian service to Vancouver to help accommodate demand for flights to the Pacific Northwest during the peak Alaskan cruise season. Air Canada flights will depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while WestJet will depart on Saturdays only. 

June 1 and July 13 are forecast to be two of the busiest travel days for TPA over the summer, with approximately 81,000 passengers a day.

As always, during anticipated busy periods, passengers should plan to arrive at the Airport at least two hours before domestic flight departures and three hours before international departures to ensure plenty of time to park, check-in, clear the security checkpoint and grab any last-minute snacks or items before boarding.

Here are some other tips to help make summer travels go smoothly at TPA:

CHOOSE EXPRESS: Want even faster drop-off and pick-up? The innovative Blue Express Curbsides are an easy alternative to the regular Departures and Arrivals lanes, particularly for those who don’t need to stop at the Ticketing or Baggage Claim levels to get in and out of the Main Terminal. Drivers can follow the signage to Express for a less crowded drop-off and pick-up experience. Red Express Curbsides are nearing completion and are expected to open to the public in the coming months.

SKIP THE DRIVE: Let someone else take the wheel and take advantage of some of the public transportation options to TPA. Beginning June 1, Groome Transportation is offering express shuttle service between The Villages and TPA with additional pickup and drop-off locations available by reservation in Brooksville and Wesley Chapel starting at $25. If you’re coming from Pinellas or downtown Tampa, PSTA offers convenient service to the Airport on their 300X Airport Express route. Take advantage of free parking at the Ulmerton Park & Ride lot or hop on the bus from downtown Tampa for a quick trip to the Airport.

PLAN AHEAD FOR PARKING: TPA offers online booking for parking, guaranteeing a space will be available when you arrive at the Airport. Online bookings help TPA anticipate demand and manage its garage space availability, making parking easier for everyone.

CHECK THE WEATHER: It's summer in Florida, which means pop-up thunderstorms and lightning happen almost daily. Fortunately, most storms are brief and cause only short pauses in flight schedules, but it's always best to be aware of the weather forecast and check with your airline ahead of time to ensure your flight is still departing on time. Keep in mind that early morning flights typically have a better chance of staying on schedule.

AVOID CIRCLING: Circling the roadways or lingering at the curbs is not allowed, so drivers picking up passengers should use the Cell Phone Waiting Lot, which has restrooms, free Wi-Fi, EV charging stations and info boards listing flight arrival times. Once a passenger is ready and at the curb, their driver can get there in a flash without adding unnecessary traffic to TPA’s roadways.

SKIP THE LINES: TPA offers two types of amenities to help passengers avoid lines and breeze through the airport experience: Self-serve boarding pass kiosks and online food ordering via Uber Eats. Check-in kiosks are available at both the Ticketing Level (2nd Floor) and on the Transfer Level (3rd floor) near the shuttle entrances, so those dropped off from the Blue Express curbs can head straight to the shuttles, stopping at the kiosks if needed. Once you get to your gate, relax and order breakfast, lunch or dinner using the Uber Eats app and pick it up when it's ready.

LEAVE YOUR FURRY FRIENDS AT HOME: Animals are not allowed at TPA except those traveling or providing a service. Those traveling with pets must keep them in a carrier or on a short leash while inside the terminals for the safety of other guests and pets. For more information on airline policies and TPA's pet relief areas, go here.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES: TPA has Nursing Rooms and Pet Relief areas at every airside, water bottle filling stations near the drinking fountains, a USO office for military families, Travelers’ Aid and Sunflower Lanyards for passengers with hidden disabilities. Stop by the Information Desk located on Level 3 of the Main Terminal, in the Rental Car Center or in the Baggage Claim areas for directions or info.

To learn more about Tampa International Airport before your travels, go to tampaairport.com