Phoenix Airport: What Onsite Services Are Offered?

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public airport serving Arizona. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix and is the largest and busiest airport in the state. The airport offers non-stop flights to 24 international destinations and over 120 domestic destinations. Phoenix Sky Harbor has an on-site car rental service, with companies such as Avis, Budget, Alamo, Enterprise, and Hertz operating from the airport. The airport also has an on-site museum, displaying artwork and local aviation memorabilia.

Car rental

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) offers several car rental options. The Rental Car Center is located adjacent to the runways to the west of the terminals. A free shuttle service is available to take passengers to and from the Rental Car Center, although this has been known to have long wait times. However, since December 2022, passengers have also had the option of taking the Sky Train extension, which connects Terminals 3 and 4 to the Rental Car Center.

A variety of vehicles are available for rent, including SUVs, convertibles, passenger vans, and minivans. For those planning to stay in Phoenix for a longer period, monthly car rentals are available, and vehicles can be switched by setting up an appointment.

Parking

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers both on-site and off-site parking options. While on-site parking is available, it is often expensive and overcrowded. For those looking for a more affordable option, off-site parking, such as Sky Harbor Airport Parking, Rightway Parking, and The Parking Spot, is available with free shuttle services to the airport.

On-site parking at the Phoenix Airport includes the West Economy Garage, East Economy Garage, Terminal 3 Garage, and Terminal 4 Garage. The daily rates for these options range from $10 to $43. The Terminal 3 and 4 Garages are the most convenient options for quick trips to the airport, with an hourly rate of $4 and a daily maximum of $30. The West Economy Garage, East Economy Garage, and East Economy Lot (uncovered) also offer short-term parking at $4 per hour. The cheapest on-site long-term parking option is the uncovered East Economy Lot, which costs $14 per day. Additionally, there are parking meters at the 44th St. PHX Sky Train Station, charging $4 per hour for short-term parking.

For those seeking a more affordable option, off-site parking is available with rates as low as $2.59 to $4 per day. These options include Sky Harbor Airport Parking, Rightway Parking, and The Parking Spot, all of which provide free shuttle services to the airport. Sky Harbor Airport Parking operates 24/7 and offers covered and uncovered parking spaces. Rightway Parking offers secure parking with rates as low as $2.99 per day, including a free shuttle bus to the terminal. The Parking Spot has three locations, with one being the closest off-airport facility to the airport, offering covered parking spots.

To ensure a guaranteed parking spot, it is recommended to reserve a space in advance, especially for on-site parking. Additionally, Phoenix Airport offers premium parking reservations, allowing for the closest available access to your gate, as well as valet services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For frequent flyers, loyalty programs are available, allowing customers to earn points for each parking reservation, which can be redeemed for free parking and other benefits.

Military base

Phoenix Goodyear Airport, located a few miles south of Interstate I-10, was once a thriving military base. During World War II, it served as a Naval Air Facility called NAF Litchfield Park. Today, it is a general aviation airport and reliever airport for Sky Harbor International Airport. It is also known as an aircraft boneyard, where old aircraft are stored and stripped for parts.

There are several other military bases in Arizona, including the Williams Air Force Base, located about 30 miles southeast of Phoenix. This base was active from 1941 until its closure in 1993 and served as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces and the USAF. It was the leading pilot training facility for the USAF, supplying 25% of all pilots.

Another notable military base in the area is the Luke Air Force Base, located in Maricopa County, about 15 miles west of Phoenix. It is a major training base for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, which trains F-35 and F-16 fighter pilots and maintainers. The base has a population of about 7,500 military members and 15,000 family members, with over 80,000 retired military members living in the greater Phoenix area.

Artwork and aviation museum

The Phoenix Airport Museum, located in Terminal 4 of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, was established in 1988 to enhance the guest experience by curating exhibitions and maintaining an ever-growing art collection. The museum's mission is to showcase Arizona's unique artistic and cultural heritage through its art collection, exhibition program, and aviation history collection.

The art collection at the Phoenix Airport Museum includes more than 1,000 pieces in various mediums, styles, and sizes, with recent acquisitions featuring colourful abstracts, realistic portraiture, and Southwest themes. The artworks are created by contemporary Arizona artists using traditional and unconventional materials, such as cactus spines, bones, glass, and metal. The collection also includes portable works, such as contemporary ceramics, fine art prints, and paintings, that can be easily transported and exhibited throughout the airport.

The museum collaborates with artists, collectors, and other museums to curate existing and new exhibitions. These exhibitions may include aviation history or natural history elements and are typically on view for six months. One notable exhibition is "Geology of Geometry," featuring the artwork of Arizona artist Merrill Mahaffey, who draws inspiration from the state's immense rivers and canyons to create paintings that study intricate rock formations, geologic layers, and abstracted water reflections.

In addition to the museum, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also features permanent art installations and sculptures, murals, and a glass installation integrated into the PHX Sky Train's buildings and structures. These artworks reinforce the idea that beauty and pleasure are integral to the travel experience in Arizona.

Nonstop flights

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) offers non-stop flights to 122 domestic destinations and 24 to 25 international destinations. The airport is served by 24 to 25 airlines, including major US and international carriers. It is one of the most reliable airports in the US and has one of the fastest customs times in the country.

The airport offers non-stop flights to a range of destinations, including:

• London Heathrow, United Kingdom
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Paris, France
• Various cities in Canada and Mexico
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Buffalo, New York
• San Diego, California
• Tucson, Arizona
• Denver, Colorado
• Chicago, Illinois
• Dallas, Texas

The longest non-stop route from Phoenix Sky Harbor is the 3,396-mile (5,465 km) route to Paris, France, operated by Air France. This flight takes around 10 hours and 25 minutes.

When booking a trip involving non-stop flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor, it is worth considering that the terminals are a 15-20 minute walk from each other. The airport also offers play areas for children located behind security, a unique sensory room, and a variety of dining options, including fast food and fine dining.

Frequently asked questions