Sky Harbor Airport: Managing Busy Skies And Traffic

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US, recording about 4.3 million passengers in November 2023. The airport is preparing for one of its busiest holiday seasons, with Thanksgiving 2024 expected to be as busy as 2022 and 2023, which were among the busiest travel periods ever at the airport. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically Sky Harbor's busiest day of the year outside of special events, with heavy traffic all day. The airport offers various services to reduce security wait times, such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus, which can speed up the security screening process. On average, it takes less than 10 minutes to get through security, but waits can be longer during peak periods.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus: expedited security services

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is a busy airport, with security wait times depending on the volume of travellers, time of day, and other factors. To help passengers reduce their security wait times, Phoenix Sky Harbor offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus, which are expedited security services.

TSA PreCheck is a service that expedites the security screening process for eligible travellers at participating airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The benefits of TSA PreCheck include the ability to keep shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as the convenience of not having to remove laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids from carry-on bags during security checks. TSA PreCheck is available at the Terminal 3 Checkpoint and Terminal 4 Checkpoints A, B, C, and D within Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The service is open to frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveller programs. The TSA PreCheck Hours at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport are daily from 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Terminal 3 Checkpoint and from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Terminal 4 Checkpoints.

CLEAR Plus is another expedited security service designed to save time and reduce stress for air travellers. With CLEAR Plus, members can move faster through dedicated CLEAR lanes at participating airport locations. CLEAR Plus is available at Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Within Terminal 4, the service is available at Checkpoints A, B, C, and D. CLEAR Plus hours and enrollment at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport are daily from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM. CLEAR Plus is a membership service available to travellers who enrol and pay for the service, with some promotional offers available for new members, such as two months free.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus can be used together to further expedite the security process at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. CLEAR Plus allows members to skip the security line completely and approach a CLEAR kiosk for verification through biometric technology. After verification, a CLEAR agent escorts the member to the front of the security line. TSA PreCheck then allows members to go through a shorter security line and undergo less strict screening requirements. Together, CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck offer the fastest route to the gate at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck can be done online through the TSA website, and applicants can then visit an enrollment centre for a brief interview. Enrolling in CLEAR Plus can be done at CLEAR enrollment centres located at Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Peak hours wait times

Peak hours at Sky Harbor Airport can be busy, with average security wait times of 45 minutes. The volume of travellers, time of day, and day of the week all influence security wait times. It is recommended that travellers arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight's scheduled departure time, especially during peak hours.

To streamline your security experience, consider enrolling in expedited screening programs such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR Plus. TSA PreCheck is available at Terminals 2, 3, and 4, and allows eligible travellers to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on during screening. Laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids are also permitted to remain in carry-on bags. CLEAR Plus is available at Terminals 3 and 4, offering dedicated lanes to speed up the security process.

For domestic flights, it is generally recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure, while international flights may require three hours. During peak hours, it is advisable to give yourself a time buffer to navigate through security.

To further optimise your time at Sky Harbor Airport, utilise resources such as the interactive airport terminal map to navigate to your gate and locate dining and shopping options. Additionally, consider reserving a time for security screening using the PHXRESERVE program. This service is available at Terminal 4 and can help you bypass lengthy lines.

By planning ahead, enrolling in expedited screening programs, and staying updated on security wait times, you can effectively manage your time during peak hours at Sky Harbor Airport.

Immigration wait times

The immigration wait times at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) depend on the volume of the arriving flight, time of the day, etc. The average wait time typically ranges from 10 to 30 minutes. However, it's important to note that these times are just estimates, and exceptional circumstances can always cause delays or affect wait times.

To ensure a smooth journey, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight's scheduled departure time. Additionally, passengers should consult their airline for information about wait times at the ticket counter and any potential changes to their flight schedules. This information, along with the estimated wait times, will help passengers make an informed decision about when to arrive at the airport.

To further optimize your experience, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers expedited security services such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus. These programs are designed to reduce security wait times and enhance the overall airport experience. With TSA PreCheck, eligible travellers can expedite their security screening process, including the convenience of keeping their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as not having to remove laptops and compliant liquids from their carry-on bags. CLEAR Plus is another option that allows members to move through dedicated lanes more quickly. Both of these services are available at Terminals 3 and 4 of the airport.

For international travel, it is important to note that all travellers, including citizens, must have valid passports to enter the United States by air. Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has authorized the CBP Mobile Passport Control application (MPC) as the only app for entry into the country. This app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Check-in and luggage drop-off

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers a range of options for check-in and luggage drop-off. The airport recommends arriving at least an hour or two before your flight to navigate security procedures comfortably and account for unforeseen delays.

Most airlines at the airport offer self-service check-in kiosks, which can be twice as fast as waiting in line for a customer service agent, even if you are checking luggage. If you are not checking any bags, you may be able to bypass the ticket counter altogether by printing your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. Some airlines also offer self-service kiosks near security checkpoints.

If you are checking bags, you should do so at least 45 minutes before your flight to ensure your luggage makes it onto the plane.

For added convenience, curbside Sky Caps outside Terminal 4 allow you to check your bags without going inside. However, it is worth noting that these lines can sometimes be longer than those inside, and there may not always be staff available.

The airport's website provides security wait times and allows you to reserve a time slot for security screening in Terminal 4, helping you skip long lines. Additionally, the airport offers lounges in Terminals 3 and 4 for relaxation, which typically offer luggage storage services.

Sky Harbor's free PHX Reserve program

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the top 10 busiest airports in the US. The airport offers a free virtual queuing program called PHX Reserve to reduce wait times at security checkpoints. The program is available at Terminal 3, 24 hours a day, and at Terminal 4, Checkpoint D, from 3:45 am to 7 pm.

The PHX Reserve program allows passengers to reserve a time slot for their security screening, reducing their wait time. It is open to all travellers and can be used by groups of up to 10 people travelling together. Passengers can make a reservation online or by scanning a QR code on PHX Reserve signs at the airport. They will then receive a QR code to scan at their assigned checkpoint.

The program is designed to eliminate uncertainty and stress for passengers by speeding up the security process. It is important to note that PHX Reserve is separate from TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus, which are expedited screening programs with membership requirements. While PHX Reserve is free and open to all, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus offer additional benefits such as keeping shoes and light outerwear on during screening.

The average security wait time at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is 17 minutes, with non-peak hours averaging 10 minutes and peak hours averaging 45 minutes. However, on exceptionally busy days, such as the day after the Super Bowl, wait times can be significantly longer. In such cases, PHX Reserve can be a valuable tool to expedite the security process.

Frequently asked questions