Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX); an Airport Guide

Often, traveling can be stressful, significantly when you add in airport travel encircled by thousands of other bustling people to make their adventure the next chapter. That’s why understanding what you are going into and having a good plan already in place can be essential. You can find travel advice here to help you navigate the flight without delay at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Guide

PHX, a civilian-military public airport three miles southeast of the downtown area, is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona and one of the largest commercial airports in the U.S. There were 44,943,686 passengers served by PHX in 2018. At an elevation of 1,135 ft, PHX occupies 3,400 acres. There are three parallel concrete / grooved runways at the airport.

One of the eight service centers for Medevac Airline Air Evac is the airport’s private airplane field.

Inside three terminals, PHX has 116 aircraft gates; amidst over 250 daily departures to 102 destinations in 5 nations, the airport is the sixth-largest hub for American Airlines. In Phoenix, the airline hires more than 9,500 persons. As of 2017, passengers from American Airlines accounted for more than 46 percent of all PHX travelers. PHX is also one of Southwest Airlines’ main operational bases, with 188 daily departures to 53 cities throughout the U.S.

Aside from American and Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, United Airlines, JSX, Spirit Airlines, Delta Link, Contour Airlines, Condor, Advanced Air, Alaska Air, Air Canada Rouge, Canada Express, JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Eurowings, Boutique Air, American Eagle are carriers carrying PHX passengers.

Airport Terminal Information

There are 2 passenger terminal buildings at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Terminal 3 and Terminal 4. Each terminal has its car park, stores, services, restaurants, and ground transport facilities, including an inter-terminal courtesy shuttle bus stop. There are no car rental counters; services are available via the Rental Car Hub, to which you can get by shuttle bus.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor is Phoenix Airport’s main terminal, handling all international flights. It hosts over 80% of the movement of passengers from the airport.

Provided its features and concessions, Terminal 4 has received several awards.

The airport is named after Barry M. Goldwater, the legendary American politician and Arizona senator.

Levels

Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor consists of the levels shown below:

Level 1

Baggage Claim Area and Arrivals.

After baggage retrieval and customs clearance, international arrivals are placed.

Services: exchange of currencies, telephones, information counters, cafés, among others.

Access to Levels 4 to 9 East Parking.

Other facilities, such as ATMs, currency exchange, and ground transportation options, can be found for travelers, located in both the eastern and northern hubs.

Level 2

level of check-in and ticketing.

Passengers can also notice many available facilities.

Level 3

This is the level of departures.

Services: North and south sides of food, drink, retail concessions, information counter, payment, and charging stations.

Inside 7 concourses, it has 84 gates (A1-30, B1-28, C1-19, and D1-8).

A&B: Hand of the North

D & C: Southside

Passengers can notice all sorts of available facilities.

Take the Sky Train to Terminal 3, the Valley Metro Rail, and East Economy Parking.

Terminal 3

It is also known as John S. McCain III.

PHX Terminal 3 handles domestic and international flights for the most part.

Levels

The three stages of Sky Harbor Terminal 3 are as follows:

First Level

Area for Arrivals. That’s the level of the driveway.

This is the baggage claim and the field with counters for tickets and check-in.

Passengers have such facilities at their disposal, such as cafés, food concessions, and play areas for children.

Passengers can use travel options such as buses, taxis, and rideshares.

Second Level

Find your protection checkpoint here.

Fourth Level

The boarding gates are exclusively dedicated to this standard.

Find the E1 to E10 and F1 to F15 boarding gates here.

Services: ATMs, nursing station, pet relief zone, shoeshine, concessions for food, drink, retail, Farmers Market, and charging station.

Find access to the Sky Train at this stage and go to Terminal 4, Economy Parking, or Valley Metro Rail.

Inter-Terminal Transportation

The PHX Sky Train, an electric train that runs between the airport terminals (T3 and T4), East Economy Parking, and Valley Metro Rail at 44th and Washington avenues, links the terminals.

For passengers and the general public, the service is free.

Every 3-5 minutes, departures are carried out. Hours of Service: 24/7.

See the position of the PHX Sky Train at each terminal below:

Terminal 3: Level 2

Terminal 4: Level 3

On the other hand, terminal 3 and Terminal 4 are conveniently linked by the Rental Car Shuttle to the Rental Car Hub. This service departs from the curb at each terminal’s baggage claim level. The frequency is every couple of minutes.

Lounge and Clubs at PHX

Clubs and lounges are a perfect place to relax when flying or to have a refill. At Sky Harbor, you’ll find an option of 3 clubs and 1 lounge.

United had a Terminal 2 lounge, but it was relocated to Terminal 3, from which they will now fly. You can also see the newly opened Delta Sky Club in terminal 3.

Terminal 4 will house the Admiral Club of American Airlines. Here, to enter this member’s only section, you have to have a boarding pass for the same day. If you’re a uniformed military man and you’re traveling on the American side, then you can get to this club. Finally, there is the British Airways Lounge, situated in Terminal 4 as well.

Additional services at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (Phx)

WI-FI

Free Wi-Fi for all passengers at the airport is available. “Connect to a network” Free PHX Boingo Wi-Fi.

LOST AND FOUND

Please contact at +1 602-273-3333 or send an e-mail to lostandfound@phoenix.gov if you have lost something in the general areas of Phoenix Airport and the terminals, buses, parking areas, or the Sky train.

SMOKING AREAS

In designated outdoor areas, smoking is only allowed.

Terminal 3: Ground level on the east, west, north, and south sides of the terminal.

There are 11 places in Terminal 4: 4 on the north side, 3 on the south side at ground level, 2 on the north side, and 2 on the south side of Level 2.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Car Rental

Renting a car at Phoenix Airport is an excellent choice for traveling around the area.

Please check with all the service providers and reserve your vehicle to select the best choice for you! We suggest that you book your car in advance before arrival at Phoenix Airport. Vehicles are limited.

Location

The Rental Car Centre, located at 1805 E, has its premises—Sky Harbor South’s circle.

There is a shuttle bus that serves every 5-10 minutes connecting the terminals (baggage claim areas) and the Rental Car Center.

5 Hotels close to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Phoenix Airport

This motel provides free Wi-Fi rooms and features free 24-hour shuttle service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, just 6.4 km away. The city center of Phoenix is 5 minutes away by car.

A seating area and cable TV and premium channels are provided at Best Western Phoenix Airport’s SureStay Hotel. It contains an en suite bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer.

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Phoenix Airport provides visitors with a business center and conference space. A continental breakfast is served at the motel.

Western Lodge Phoenix Airport/Downtown

This hotel is a 15-minute drive from Old Town Scottsdale and provides free parking. A 24-hour reception serves guests.

Each air-conditioned room at Western Lodge Phoenix features a desk, a TV, and coffee-making facilities. Also included is an en suite bathroom.

At Phoenix Western Lodge, laundry facilities are available on site. The facilities of fax and photocopying are provided.

A 10-minute drive from the hotel is Chase Field. Western Lodge Phoenix is 7.1 km from the U.S Airways Hub.

Days Inn by Wyndham Airport

A complimentary transfer service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is 6.4 km away, is available at this hotel. It provides an outdoor pool during the year and serves a continental breakfast every day. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all guest rooms.

Each air-conditioned room at the Days Inn Phoenix Airport features a cable TV. A work desk, a hairdryer, and coffee making facilities are provided in all rooms.

Guests at the Phoenix Airport Days Inn will enjoy a 24-hour reception. There is a business center accessible, including fax and photocopying facilities. A guest laundry service is provided on-site for convenience.

This hotel is 4.8 km from Central Phoenix and the Phoenix Convention Center. Legacy Golf Resort can be reached in 15 minutes by car.

Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North

Offering a range of free facilities and services, including a 24-hour shuttle service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, this hotel provides convenient access to modern accommodation and area attractions.

Ideally located just minutes from the Phoenix light rail system, the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North provides instant access to the downtown area. Arizona State University can also be found nearby, along with a variety of corporate offices.

The Phoenix Airport North Hilton Garden Inn offers comfortable accommodation with wireless Internet connectivity and flat-screen TVs. In-room microwaves and refrigerators, along with coffee makers, are also available to visitors.

Guests will also enjoy dining at the Great American Grill restaurant or easy snacks at the 24-hour convenience store on-site at the Phoenix Airport Hilton Garden Inn. There are also new fitness facilities at the hotel, along with an outdoor swimming pool.

In particular, couples like the place.

Holiday Inn Express Phoenix

Including a hot tub and an outdoor swimming pool, this hotel is a 15-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and provides a complimentary airport shuttle service 24 hours a day. Guests will enjoy a hot buffet breakfast regularly. Wi-Fi is given free of charge.

Guest rooms at Holiday Inn Express Phoenix-Airport University Drive come with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves. It contains a private bathroom.

A gift shop and fitness center are additional facilities at the hotel. The hotel also offers 24-hour front desk service.

Arizona State University is 9.1 km away, and the Holiday Inn Express Phoenix-Airport / University Drive is 11 km from the Phoenix Zoo.