“Books with an Altitude” event helps to calm busy winter travelers

On January 28, Miami International Airport offered passengers a welcome escape during the busy winter travel season with a pop-up literary celebration at its Books with an Altitude lending library.

As winter storm disruptions continued to impact air travel nationwide, MIA offered passengers a thoughtful way to unwind at the lending library experience near gate H5 in partnership with Miami Dade College, Miami Book Fair, and the Miami-Dade Public Library System.  

The activation coincided with Library Shelfie Day and featured a visit from one of MIA’s Miami Hound Machine therapy pets, Avi the poodle, who was accompanied by her owner, an MIA Volunteer Ambassador. Travelers of all ages snapped a “shelfie” with Avi, interacted with her, and enjoyed complimentary books or reading materials while they waited for their flights. 

With thousands of flights canceled across the country due to Winter Storm Fern, MIA has served as a critical support hub for airline partners repositioning aircraft and for passengers connecting to other destinations. In addition to operational support, the airport assisted passengers during extended wait times by providing additional support staff and a free overnight sleeping area. 

As winter storms disrupt air travel across the country, Miami-Dade County is proud to support our airline partners and the thousands of passengers affected by these conditions. Our airport is stepping up during a challenging time for our nation’s aviation system — providing a safe, welcoming space for airlines to operate and offering thoughtful amenities, like our Books With An Altitude initiative, to help ease the stress for travelers experiencing delays and cancellations.

Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava

MIA’s Books with an Altitude library creates a calm, welcoming space for travelers to browse, read, and relax – reflecting the County’s commitment to community partnerships, innovation, and customer service, even during periods of significant travel disruption.

MIA continues to work closely with its airlines and federal partners to manage the impacts of Winter Storm Fern while identifying creative, passenger-friendly ways to improve the terminal experience during challenging travel periods. Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status directly with their airline before coming to the airport and to allow extra time for travel during ongoing weather impacts.

Miami International Airport, America’s busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers, is receiving an unprecedented investment of $9 billion in capital improvements and maintenance upgrades. MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport and is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $181 billion and approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida annually.

To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language Interpreters, CART services and/or any accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) public meetings and events please email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-876-7747 five days in advance to initiate your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).