Sarasota Bradenton International Airport — Local services in Sarasota

This is thee best airport to fly into if you’re flying into Sarasota - Bradenton. In October of 2022, I flew into Southwest Florida via Tampa International, rented a car and drove south to Sarasota. The traffic was bumper to bumper and I didn’t know the roadways well enough to navigate my travel w/ease. Upon my return to the airport, I lost a day of tourist sightseeing because I had to drive north to Tampa to return the vehicle and secure a hotel room at the airport. I vowed never to fly into Tampa again. The traffic was a virtual moving sidewalk: congestion made for a tedious commute.

I was encouraged to fly in SRQ(Sarasota-Bradenton) upon my next visit(May 2023)to the state. Well I followed that advice and it was the best choice.

SRQ, I assumed, would be a tiny airport, lacking good conveniences, but I was willing to take that gamble as to not have to travel into Tampa, with massive traffic delays.

To my delight, SRQ is one of the more, larger-smaller airports that I’ve ever flown into. As a matter of fact, it has all the convenience of the larger airports across the country.

Not only is it attractive, it’s easy to navigate. The staff was uber friendly and welcoming. The rental car area was a charm, as was getting to the rental car.

This airport is undergoing a huge expansion w/major constructions, yet there was no hinderances or delays at all.

The airport is clean: gates, restrooms and eateries. It does not feel like a small airport nor does it feel like an overly compact mid-to-large airport. I was pleasantly shock by this airport’s look and convenience.

Upon leaving to fly home, check in was extremely easy, TSA was thorough and easy as well. I like that the agents were customer friendly and had great sense of humor. It’s was as easy as blinking your eyes.

My two hour wait at my gate was comfortable. The seating was adequately spaced. The airport is modern and feels so. Newspapers, coffee, food and restrooms were right at my immediate disposal.

I’ll reiterate again, SRQ, is not a shotty, unkept airport at all. It feels and looks like a large airport that’s extremely easy to navigate.

The airport entry is beautiful, with lush landscapes, as is it’s grounds. Signage is well place, crisp, well displayed and easy to read: you won’t have any difficulties viewing its signs and accessing its roadways, on the airport’s ground.

I’ll travel this airport again. I paid more to fly into SRQ, verses Tampa International, but it was well worth it, plus I didn’t loose a day of sightseeing the Sarasota-Bradenton region.

Let me close by saying every staff encounter had was a breathe of fresh air! The ppl servicing this airport are some of the overall best that I’ve ever encountered.

On a personal note: it was while awaiting my flight home at SRQ, I heard the sad news of Tina Turner passing. I’ll always remember that I was sitting in SRQ the day that the iconic rocker, Tina Turner passed away.

PLEASE NOTE: I’d more photos added to the initial review. For some reason Google has deleted them and I’ve struggled trying to get the support needed to inquire why photos of the airport review have been removed. I’ve reached out to Google support via emails for days now. My experience with/at SRQ was superlative and excellent one and my photos added to the review for others to see. Google has not responded...

The one star review comes solely because of the non helpful, non caring, parking lot supervisor on duty on 05/05/24. I arrived at the airport on 05/02 looking to park in long term parking lot as I have before. The gate was closed as lot was "full" even though I could see empty spots and cars leaving. I kept going into the short term parking and parked there. I haven't had this happen before, didn't know where else to park, and had a flight to catch. I figured I'd explain the situation to the cashier and maybe still pay the $16/day vs $28/day in short term. This is exactly what I did and cashier Aaron was polite and explained to me the "shaded lot" (which was closed on 05/02 btw), and there is an overflow lot. I had no idea about these before and didn't see the signs for them as I've never had to use them. Apparently they're before the Long term parking lot entrance... but never does it say that the lot is full, so go park over there. Aaron didn't have the authority to change the pricing. I understand that. He called his supervisor, a shorter curly haired lady. Aaron and I explained the situation. Her attitude, demeanor, and face just said "I really don't care". After explaining the whole situation, I politely asked if she could help me out this one time... "no I can't do that", was her response. I should have known about the other lots, it's my problem, pay up, she isn't here help anyone out.. got it. Being in sales management and training for many years, this is the type of manager that is detrimental to any business. Someone that has no compassion or willingness to help others. I wasn't going to argue with someone like that.. I paid my $112 bill instead of $64 and went on my way. This review probably won't go anywhere, but I hope Aaron takes over this lady's position. That way people can leave the airport with a smile...

SRQ used to be my airport of choice when flying with Allegiant. However, due to two issues with outrageous parking incidents/prices I will either fly out of Punta Gorda, TPA or PIE. Back to back issues with long term parking being full. The first trip I made was a week long to visit family & the trip was 7 days. They charge $29 a day for Short term parking. I paid the almost $200 & asked if I was in this situation again… what was I to do. I was told by the cashier to “notify them the next time this happened and the long term parking would be honored”

Fun fact: they don’t. Arrived 8/22 to fly out to Indianapolis & once again long term parking completely full. With signs showing cellphone lot/overflow. I’m not parking in a cellphone lot so I can have my truck towed at my expense. So short term parking it is. I go to cash out after a 4 days stay and have a $127 short term parking ticket to pay. So I go to the cashier, explain what the previous cashier told me a few weeks prior. The rude cashier named “OT” snarled under his breath when I explained the situation to him & called his manager “Beatrice” up to “Explain it to me in a way it made sense”. As if I’m a moron. Beatrice arrives and tells me I was told false information & they don’t do that. That should have parked in the “shaded parking”. Let me be clear here. I’m no Elon Musk, but I’m also not a low iq DA who can’t follow simple directions.

Something as trivial as parking will keep me from doing any future business with this airport. I will also be letting friends, family & 42k followers of mine know to beware of their shiesty parking policies & to seek...