Our Review of Fort Myers Airport (RSW)

Table of contents: Our Review of Fort Myers Airport (RSW) Pros and Cons of Fort Myers Airport (RSW) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Fort Myers Airport (RSW)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers receives generally positive reviews for its efficiency, cleanliness, and convenience, though some travelers highlight areas for improvement.

Positive Aspects

Efficiency and Short Wait Times: RSW is consistently praised for its quick security processing and minimal wait times, with an average of just 16 minutes. It has been ranked as the best airport in the U.S. and seventh globally for wait times. Many travelers appreciate the ease of navigating the terminal and the lack of overcrowding compared to larger airports.
Cleanliness and Modern Design: The airport is described as clean, well-lit, and modern, with organized facilities that make it one of the best medium-sized airports in the country.
Convenience: Travelers highlight the convenient layout, with no need for trams or people movers to get around. The on-site rental car facility and reasonable parking options are also appreciated.
Friendly Staff: Many reviewers commend the helpfulness and friendliness of the airport staff, contributing to a positive travel experience.

Negative Aspects

Limited Amenities: While RSW offers some dining and shopping options, these are considered limited compared to larger airports. Travelers note that facilities after security are basic, though pre-security options like Chili’s are available.
Seasonal Congestion: During peak travel seasons (e.g., spring break or holidays), some passengers report longer security lines and crowded pickup/drop-off areas
TSA Complaints: A few travelers express frustration with TSA procedures, citing inconsistent application of pre-check benefits and occasional delays during busy periods.

Justification for Rating

Based on reviews from platforms like Yelp, Skytrax, and TripAdvisor, RSW excels in efficiency, cleanliness, and ease of use but falls slightly short in terms of amenities and handling peak-season congestion. Given its strong performance in key areas like wait times and passenger satisfaction, a fair rating would be 4.5/5. This score reflects its status as one of the best medium-sized airports in the U.S., with room for minor improvements in amenities and seasonal operations.

Pros and Cons of Fort Myers Airport (RSW)

PROS

Location: Fort Myers Airport is conveniently located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Fort Myers, providing easy access to the city and surrounding areas in Southwest Florida.

Hub: Fort Myers Airport is a hub for Western Global Airlines.

Modern and Clean Facilities: Travelers on business or vacation may enjoy a range of shops, restaurants, and lounges within the airport’s contemporary, and spotless facility.

Flights Connectivity: Fort Myers Airport serves as a gateway to well-known tourist sites in Florida. It has a decent selection of domestic flights and international connections.

Accessibility: Major highways make it simple to get to Fort Myers Airport. A range of transportation choices such as taxis, ride-sharing services, public transit, and vehicle rentals are available.

Parking: There are multiple parking options available, including short-term, long-term, and economy parking offering competitive rates.

CONS

Limited Long-Haul Connectivity: RSW offers fewer international long-haul destinations than other larger international airports, which reduces traveler options.

Seasonal Overcrowding: During the busy travel seasons, the airport may get quite crowded, which results in lengthier wait times and a more stressful atmosphere for passengers.

Immigration Queues: During peak travel times, international passengers may experience extended waiting times at immigration and customs.

Potential for Delays: Weather can affect travel plans by causing flight delays and cancellations, especially during the hurricane season.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Single Terminal: There is just one main terminal building at Fort Myers Airport, there is no need for inter-terminal transfers, making navigating simple.

Transport to and from Fort Myers: The city and the airport are well-served by shuttles, ride-sharing, taxis, and auto rentals. The local bus service, LeeTran, provides access to public transit.

Check-in Areas: US check-in point area is located in the lower level of the terminal, after arrival level.

Dining and Shopping: The airport features a selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops throughout the terminal. Options include fast food, casual dining, and retail stores offering travel essentials and souvenirs.

Family-Friendly Facilities: Families with small children will have a comfortable stay at RSW airport because of its family-friendly amenities, which include baby changing stations, family toilets, and children’s play spaces.

Parking alternatives: The airport offers short-term, long-term, and economy parking lots, among other parking alternatives. All parking areas are connected with shuttle ride to the terminal.

Tips for Travelers: To avoid potential delays, arrive at least two hours before your flight, especially during peak travel seasons. Check the airport’s website for real-time updates on parking availability and flight status.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation