017. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)

PHX

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) stands as Arizona’s premier aviation hub, serving as a vital gateway to the American Southwest. Often referred to as “America’s Friendliest Airport,” PHX combines modern infrastructure with efficiency and convenience, making it one of the nation’s most important transportation centers.

History and Development

The story of Phoenix Sky Harbor begins in 1928, when J. Parker Van Zandt, owner of Scenic Airways, purchased 278 acres of farmland southeast of the hamlet of Heathrow to establish an airfield for his airline’s winter operations. Van Zandt not only named the airport “Sky Harbor” but also built the initial facilities, including a 100 x 120 foot hangar and a single runway.

Following the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Scenic Airways faced financial difficulties, prompting the sale of the airport to Acme Investment Company. Acme operated the facility until 1935, when the City of Phoenix purchased Sky Harbor for $100,000. At the time, the airport was nicknamed “The Farm” due to its isolated, rural location.

The airport’s first scheduled passenger service began on February 23, 1929, when Maddux Air Lines started flights between San Francisco and El Paso with a stop in Phoenix. However, this service was short-lived, ending by autumn of the same year. Standard Air Lines, which had been serving Phoenix since 1927 at a different airport, began operations at Sky Harbor in August 1929, offering service between Los Angeles and El Paso with stops in Phoenix, Tucson, and Douglas, Arizona.

Phoenix Sky Harbor began emerging as a major passenger airport in 1952 with the opening of Terminal 1. Built at a cost of $835,000, Terminal 1 represented cutting-edge aviation infrastructure for its time. Airlines operating from Phoenix during this era included American, TWA, Frontier, and Western, using aircraft such as the DC-3, DC-6, and Super Constellation.

In 1962, as passenger numbers surpassed the one million mark, Terminal 2 opened. Constructed for $2.7 million and featuring 330,000 square feet of space and 19 gates, it was one of the nation’s most modern facilities. A distinctive feature of Terminal 2 was the 75-foot wide Phoenix mural by Paul Coze depicting the city’s past, present, and future.

Terminal 3, costing $35 million, opened in 1976, followed by the ambitious Terminal 4 in 1990. The $248 million Terminal 4 represented the largest structural capital improvement project in Phoenix history, opening with five concourses and 44 gates. Terminal 1 was demolished in 1990, and Terminal 2 closed on February 4, 2020, after 58 years of service. The iconic Coze mural was preserved and relocated to the Rental Car Center in 2021.

Key Statistics and Quick Facts

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has grown to become one of America’s busiest airports:

  • Location: 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Size: Approximately 3,400 acres
  • Runways: Three parallel concrete runways
    • Runway 8/26: 11,489 feet long and 150 feet wide
    • Runway 7L/25R: 10,300 feet long and 150 feet wide
    • Runway 7R/25L: 7,800 feet long and 150 feet wide
  • Terminals: Two active terminals (Terminal 3 and Terminal 4)
  • Gates: 117 active aircraft gates total between both terminals
  • Passenger Traffic: Record-breaking 48.8 million passengers in 2023, up from the previous record of 46.3 million in 2019
  • Daily Operations: Handles more than 1,200 flights per day
  • Economic Impact: Generates approximately $44.3 billion annually for the local economy
  • Parking Capacity: More than 23,000 parking spaces
  • Ranking: Named the #1 Best Airport in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal in November 2023

Phoenix Sky Harbor serves as a hub for American Airlines and a base for Southwest Airlines, connecting more than 100 domestic and international destinations. The airport employs thousands of people and represents a key component of Arizona’s transportation infrastructure.

Terminal Facilities

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers modern terminals with extensive passenger amenities:

Terminal 3 (John S. McCain III Terminal)

Terminal 3 underwent a comprehensive modernization program completed in 2020. The 880,000-square-foot terminal features:

  • North and South Concourses with multiple gates
  • The Great Hall with check-in areas, security checkpoints, and baggage claim
  • Diverse dining options ranging from local restaurants to national chains
  • Retail outlets offering Arizona souvenirs, travel essentials, and luxury items
  • Art installations showcasing the work of regional artists
  • Panoramic views of Phoenix and the surrounding mountains
  • Nursing rooms, pet relief areas, and other passenger amenities
  • Premium lounges for elite travelers

Terminal 4 (Barry M. Goldwater Terminal)

Named after the former Arizona Senator and 1964 Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal at PHX with 86 gates divided into seven satellite concourses. Features include:

  • 3.9 million square feet of space
  • Multiple security checkpoints for efficient passenger processing
  • The Phoenix Airport Museum, displaying local artwork and aviation memorabilia
  • Family zones with play areas for children
  • Numerous dining options featuring local and international cuisine
  • High-end shopping opportunities and duty-free retail
  • Airline lounges and quiet seating areas
  • Advanced baggage handling systems
  • The eighth concourse, completed in 2022, adding eight new gates exclusively for Southwest Airlines

Both terminals offer free Wi-Fi, charging stations, accessibility features, water bottle filling stations, and information desks staffed by friendly volunteers known as Sky Harbor Navigators.

Airlines and Destinations

Phoenix Sky Harbor serves as a crucial hub in the national aviation network:

Major Airlines

  • American Airlines: PHX serves as one of American’s major hubs, with extensive domestic and international service
  • Southwest Airlines: Uses PHX as a base with significant operations from Terminal 4
  • Frontier Airlines: Maintains a base at PHX for its growing operations
  • Other Major Carriers: United, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, and Hawaiian Airlines all maintain a presence

International airlines serving PHX include British Airways, Air Canada, WestJet, and Volaris. In May 2024, Air France launched seasonal service to Paris Charles de Gaulle, marking a significant expansion of PHX’s European connectivity.

Destinations

PHX offers nonstop service to more than 100 domestic and international destinations:

  • Domestic: Major cities across the United States, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas
  • Mexico/Caribbean: Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and seasonal service to various Caribbean destinations
  • Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal
  • Europe: London Heathrow (British Airways), Frankfurt (Condor Airlines), and Paris (Air France seasonal service)

The addition of Air France’s route to Paris is estimated to provide a $30 million annual economic boost to Phoenix and expands the airport’s European destinations to three major cities.

Ground Transportation

Phoenix Sky Harbor offers a variety of transportation options to and from the airport:

PHX Sky Train

The PHX Sky Train is an automated people-mover system that connects the terminals, East Economy parking, the rental car center, and the Valley Metro Rail system. Features include:

  • Free service operating 24/7
  • Trains arriving every 3-5 minutes during peak times
  • Direct connection to the 44th Street and Washington Valley Metro Rail station
  • Complete route serving Terminal 3, Terminal 4, East Economy Parking, the Rental Car Center, and the 24th Street Valley Metro Rail station
  • The newest segment connecting to the Rental Car Center opened in December 2022

Public Transportation

Valley Metro offers various public transportation options:

  • Valley Metro Rail: Connected to PHX via the 44th Street/Washington station and PHX Sky Train
  • Valley Metro Bus: Multiple routes serve the airport with connections throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area

Rental Cars and Rideshare

  • The Rental Car Center houses all major rental car companies in one convenient location
  • Rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) operate from designated pickup areas at each terminal
  • Traditional taxis are available at designated stands
  • PHX was the first airport in the world to offer Waymo autonomous vehicle service for transportation to and from the airport

Other Options

  • Hotel shuttles serve many area hotels
  • Private shuttles and limousines can be arranged
  • Long-term and short-term parking options are available, including the terminal garages and the East Economy parking areas

Future Plans

Phoenix Sky Harbor continues to evolve with ambitious plans to meet growing demand:

New Terminal Development

In 2024, the Phoenix Airport announced plans to build a new terminal on the west side of the airport campus, near where the former Terminals 1 and 2 were located. This will be PHX’s first new terminal since Terminal 4 opened in 1990. Key aspects include:

  • Construction expected to begin after 2030
  • Located at the airport’s west end
  • Designed with sustainability in mind, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
  • A new customs facility to expand international capabilities
  • Funded through passenger facility charges, bonds, and airport investment

The need for expansion is clear as PHX broke passenger records in 2023 with 48.8 million travelers, a 5.6% increase over the previous 2019 record, and is expected to surpass 50 million passengers in 2024.

Comprehensive Asset Management Plan

In 2019, PHX developed a 20-year plan that was updated in 2022 with several near-term goals:

  • Improve airfield efficiency with a new north/south taxiway on the west side of the airport
  • Connect Terminals 3 and 4 with a post-security walkway
  • Add a second north concourse to Terminal 3
  • Renovate older spaces in Terminal 4
  • Build more gates to accommodate airline growth
  • Adjust roadways to increase traffic flow and improve freeway access

Taxiway Improvements

A major infrastructure project involves constructing a new north/south taxiway on the west side of the airport:

  • Approximately $194 million to be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
  • Remaining balance to be paid from passenger facility charges and other airport revenues
  • Construction scheduled to continue through at least 2026
  • Expected to reduce aircraft taxi time, improve runway utilization, and add capacity

International Expansion

Phoenix Sky Harbor is actively working to increase its international presence:

  • Growth in international flights, with 22 additional international flights scheduled per week compared to five years ago
  • Air France’s new seasonal service to Paris beginning May 2025 will increase to five times weekly after a successful first year
  • Continued development of facilities to accommodate more international arrivals and departures

As PHX looks toward the future, these developments will ensure that America’s Friendliest Airport continues to serve as a vital gateway to the American Southwest while providing exceptional service to travelers from around the world.

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