{
  "response": {
    "Key": "FLL-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "FLL",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Fort Lauderdale",
      "fullCity": "Fort Lauderdale, Florida",
      "airport": "Hollywood Intl Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to San José (SJO) typically takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes. With a layover, the most common connections are through Miami (MIA) or Panama City (PTY), with total travel times ranging from 5 to 8 hours depending on the connection duration. Return flights are usually similar in length, but can be slightly longer due to prevailing winds."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "JetBlue flies nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to San José, Costa Rica, with 23 weekly flights operating daily. Departure times include early morning and late morning options, typically around 7:00–8:00 AM and 10:55–11:00 AM.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are visa requirements depending on your nationality. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for stays up to 90 days. Costa Rican citizens need a visa to enter the United States. For other nationalities, entry requirements vary; travelers should check with the relevant embassy or consulate."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Fort Lauderdale to San José are May, April, and August, with average round-trip fares around $356, $364, and $385, respectively. The most expensive periods are December, July, and January, where average fares climb to $586, $543, and $469.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "For flights from Fort Lauderdale to San José, the optimal booking window is about 4 to 7 weeks before departure, with average fares around $566 and the absolute cheapest tickets at 45 days out at $560. Prices tend to rise closer to the departure date, exceeding $650 for last-minute bookings, while booking more than 20 weeks ahead also yields slightly higher fares. During peak summer and holiday periods, demand typically pushes fares higher, so booking earlier within that 4-7 week window or even slightly before is advisable to secure the best price.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights are available from Fort Lauderdale to San José — the schedule shows no nonstop red-eyes on this route, and no connecting itineraries with a red-eye long leg were found.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "JetBlue operates the only nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and San José, with 23 weekly departures available daily. Typical median fares on this route are around $920.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Fort Lauderdale and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layovers include Miami and Panama City. Miami offers frequent short-haul connections and multiple daily flights to San José, keeping total travel time low. Panama City, as a major hub for Copa Airlines, provides efficient transfers and extensive onward connections throughout Central America. Both hubs keep overall journey times competitive."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "On‑time performance is generally reliable, though afternoon thunderstorms at FLL can cause delays. Choosing early morning flights, such as those operated by Spirit or JetBlue, offers better odds of departing on schedule."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, though it's the busiest time. May and November offer a balance of fewer crowds and moderate rainfall."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward or return travel, a payment method for baggage, and check if you need a visa or travel authorization, along with any required vaccination certificates."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has only one commercial airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located about 20 minutes northwest of downtown."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Hollywood Intl Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Fort Lauderdale, you can reach Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in about 10–15 minutes by car, taxi, or ride‑share, which are the fastest and most popular options. Broward County Transit Route 1 bus also serves the airport and is the least expensive, though it takes longer. Tri‑Rail commuter trains connect to a free shuttle at the FLL station, offering a budget‑friendly alternative, and driving yourself is straightforward with on‑site parking garages and lots.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Transportation/Pages/PublicTransportation.aspx",
            "title": "Transportation Public Transportation",
            "time_published": "2026-04-03T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Flights/Pages/DomesticInternationalLocations.aspx",
            "title": "Flights/Airlines Domestic / International Destinations",
            "time_published": "2026-04-03T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Lauderdale%E2%80%93Hollywood_International",
            "title": "Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-14T22:47:44Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Lauderdale-Hollywood_International_Airport",
            "title": "Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2003-07-15T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.broward.org/airport/business/about/Pages/CustomerService.aspx",
            "title": "About FLL Contact Us",
            "time_published": "2026-04-03T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?",
        "answer": "There are no on-site hotels or sleeping pods at San José Airport (SJO). However, several nearby hotels offer shuttle service, such as the Courtyard by Marriott San José Airport Alajuela and the Holiday Inn Express San José Airport, both located within a short drive. These hotels provide convenient access for travelers needing rest between flights.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOJ",
            "title": "SOJ",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T08:31:45Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/oslo-gardermoen-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Oslo Gardermoen Airport Guide (OSL) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T18:02:52Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stavanger_Airport",
            "title": "Stavanger Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T11:27:02Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/istanbul_sabiha.htm",
            "title": "Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Guide (SAW) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-02-25T20:28:55Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/private_transfer_sjo_airport_to_caldera_cruise_ferry_fiesta_hotel-XTH550?property=SJORI",
            "title": "Private Transfer SJO Airport to Caldera Cruise/Ferry/Fiesta Hotel",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/stavanger.htm",
            "title": "Stavanger Airport Guide (SVG) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T17:31:35Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "The nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to San José is operated by JetBlue using an Airbus A320-100, which is the only aircraft type on that segment. Connecting itineraries are also available, most commonly on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 via Houston, Panama City, or Dallas, with other options including the Airbus A320-200 Neo via Bogotá or Medellín. Specific aircraft can vary by day and airline, and both Wi‑Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available across these services.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "JetBlue is the only airline flying nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to San José, and it is not a member of any global airline alliance. Other alliances such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and oneworld may serve the route via connections, but no specific connecting carriers appear in the schedule data.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Fort Lauderdale?",
        "answer": "At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), you'll find a Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 and an Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner in Terminal 3. The Delta Sky Club is open to Delta One, SkyTeam premium cabin passengers, and Delta Sky Club members, and features a full bar, complimentary snacks, and runway views. The Escape Lounge welcomes American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, as well as Priority Pass members, and offers a hot and cold buffet, a bar, and comfortable seating. No other airline-branded lounges, such as an Admirals Club or United Club, operate at FLL.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/FLL",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport | Amex US",
            "time_published": "2026-05-02T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-xb/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/FLL",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport | Amex XB",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/lounges/usa/ft-lauderdale-fl-intl",
            "title": "Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport FLL Lounges - FLL Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Lauderdale%E2%80%93Hollywood_International",
            "title": "Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-14T22:47:44Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.broward.org/airport/business/about/Pages/CustomerService.aspx",
            "title": "About FLL Contact Us",
            "time_published": "2026-04-03T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance depends on the airline and fare class. Basic economy tickets usually do not include a checked bag, while standard economy often includes one checked bag and a carry‑on. Premium cabins and higher fares may allow more checked bags."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Fort Lauderdale to San José?",
        "answer": "Flights from Fort Lauderdale to San José typically offer Economy and, on some airlines, recliner‑style Business class rather than flat‑bed seats, while Premium Economy is uncommon."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare class; flexible tickets and premium cabins often allow same‑day changes or standby, while basic economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}