Immigration/customs clearance at 6:20 am

Question

We are scheduled to arrive MIA on American Airlines from Buenos Aires at 6:20 am on Thursday, October 9. Since we are in row 6 of a 787 we should be one of the first off the plane. We have 2:01 for our connection to DCA (Washington).

Assuming the arrival is on time, does this look to be enough connecting time? We have Mobile Passport Control on our phone. That has been very helpful at Washington/Dulles (IAD).

Do we have to go through security between my arrival from Buenos Aires and our domestic departure?

Will immigration/customs control for an American Airlines arrival be at all near to our departure from Terminal D?

We know we might have a long walk in D to my departure gate. We came back through MIA from Costa Rica once and have been to MIA several times before.

Thanks for your reply.

Answer

Arriving at Miami International Airport (MIA) from Buenos Aires at 6:20 am with a 2 hour 1 minute connection to DCA is tight but generally doable, especially if your flight is on time and you are near the front of the plane. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect and some tips:

Immigration & Customs:

Since you are arriving internationally, you will need to go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at MIA. Using the Mobile Passport Control app is a big advantage, as it often allows you to bypass the longest lines.
After immigration, you will collect your checked luggage (if any) and proceed to customs inspection. If you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, this can expedite the process even more.

Security for your connecting domestic flight:

Yes, after clearing customs at MIA, you will need to go through TSA security screening for your domestic connection to DCA.
The security checkpoints are well-staffed early in the morning, but lines can vary. Having carry-on only can save time, though checked luggage may add 5–15 minutes to your process.

Terminal layout & walking time:

American Airlines international arrivals from Buenos Aires usually land in the North Terminal (concourse F/G). Your domestic departure to DCA is likely in Terminal D.
MIA is a large airport, so even with moving walkways, it can take 15–20 minutes to reach Terminal D from customs, assuming normal crowds.
Since you’ll be one of the first off the plane (row 6), you will get a head start on other passengers, which helps.

Tips to make your connection smoother:

Use the Mobile Passport Control app to save time at immigration.
Have your boarding pass for the domestic connection ready; if not, consider using the AA app to check in in advance.
Travel light if possible—carry-on only speeds up your transit through customs and security.
Ask a gate agent if you can expedite the connection if your international flight is slightly delayed; American Airlines staff are usually helpful in these cases.

Overall: Two hours is generally enough at MIA for a connection like this, particularly if your flight arrives on time and you move efficiently through the lines. It will be a brisk walk and some processing queues, but for early morning arrivals with low crowds, it’s typically manageable. Keep an eye on your flight’s arrival and MIA app for gate and wait times to adjust your pace accordingly.

Immigration/customs clearance at 6:20 am

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