Exploring Philadelphia Airport: Seamless Connections And Efficient Travel

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has a unique layout, with arrivals and departures in separate buildings. This can make it a little inconvenient if you need to collect your luggage for an onward connection. However, the easy-to-navigate layout means transferring between domestic flights is straightforward. All terminals are connected past the security checkpoints, so passengers can head directly to their next flight without re-entering the TSA checkpoint.

Transport to and from the airport

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is easily accessible by car, with a mailing address of Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA 19153. The airport is located off of I-95 and Route 291, and there is a designated Cell Phone Waiting Lot for those waiting to pick someone up. Vehicles are permitted to pull up curbside for active loading and unloading, but will be towed if left unattended.

For those travelling by public transport, the SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Line runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Center City Philadelphia. The Airport Line runs through Center City Philadelphia to Glenside, with some trains continuing to Warminster, and others continuing to Fox Chase. The line runs daily from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, with trains every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends and holidays. The airport train stations are located next to the baggage claim at each terminal, with elevator and escalator access from each terminal's skywalk.

There are also several hotels near the airport that offer complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport, including the Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport and the Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport. The Philadelphia Airport Marriott is connected to Terminal B via skywalk.

Terminal layouts and connections

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has six terminals with a total of 126 gates. Terminal A is divided into two sections, east and west. Terminal A-West is the main international terminal for airlines such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa, but it also operates some domestic flights. The terminal has 13 gates numbered A14 to A26 which are situated on level 2. The international arrivals area (level 3) and baggage claim (level 1) are shared with Terminal A-East, which has 11 gates. A-West has two security checkpoints, one at either end of the ticketing area on level 2, and offers a selection of shops and restaurants.

Terminals B and C are connected outside the secure area, as are Terminals D and E. Terminal E has 16 gates numbered E1 to E16. Ticketing and baggage claim are located on level 1, and a bridge connects the terminal to the parking garage. Terminal E shares a security checkpoint with Terminal D, and there is a range of shops and restaurants in the terminal connector. Terminal F has 37 or 38 gates, numbered F1 to F9, F11 to F35, and F37 to F39. It is a regional terminal used by American Eagle and Contour Airlines for North American flights. It includes special jet bridges that allow passengers to board regional jets without walking on the apron.

Passengers can walk between all terminals past the security checkpoints. The walk from Terminal A-West to Terminal F takes approximately 45 minutes. There is also a courtesy shuttle bus connecting Terminal F with Terminals A and C. The shuttle buses run every 10 minutes and the ride takes about 5-7 minutes. Shuttle bus stops can be located by following the "Shuttle Bus" signage placed throughout the terminals.

The SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Line runs every 30 minutes between the Airport and Center City. The Airport Line runs through Center City Philadelphia to Glenside, Pennsylvania. Half of the trains continue to Warminster, Pennsylvania, on the Warminster Line, while the other half of the weekday trains continue past Wayne Junction to Fox Chase, Philadelphia, on the Fox Chase Line. The Airport Line runs from 5:00 a.m. to midnight daily, with trains every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends and holidays.

Facilities and amenities

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located in Philadelphia/Tinicum Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and is the state's busiest airport. It is one of the largest hubs for American Airlines and offers services to over 28 million passengers annually. The airport has seven terminals with various facilities and amenities for passengers.

For travellers who need to rest before their flight, there are private suites available for an hourly fee in the Minute Suites, located in the secure area in the connector between Terminals A and B. The suites include a sofa, a workstation, and a TV. Priority Pass holders can access the suites for one hour with up to three guests. Additionally, Priority Pass members can access the Be Relax Spa in Terminal C near gate C18 and the Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, although additional visits to the latter are charged at $75 per visit.

The airport provides various dining options, with 75 restaurants, cafes, and food stations located mainly in the gate areas. There are also several shops located throughout the terminals. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, provided by AT&T.

For passengers with disabilities, the airport offers accessible parking spaces close to elevators in the garages, bus stops in the Economy Parking Lot, and bag claims in the Short-Term parking area. Accessible drop-off areas with curb ramps are provided throughout the arrival and departure vehicle loading zones. The airport's restrooms, elevators, signage, telephones, restaurants, drinking fountains, diaper-changing facilities, and other amenities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Animal Relief Areas are located inside the terminals and on the exterior of the buildings, providing facilities for service animals, pets, and other visiting animals.

The airport also offers a range of transportation options, including car rental facilities with free shuttles between bag claims and the rental car facility. The SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Line provides train service between the airport and Center City, running every 30 minutes. Additionally, there are multiple parking options available, such as Short-Term, Garage, and Economy parking.

Hotels near the airport

Philadelphia International Airport is located 6.6 to 7.2 miles from downtown Philadelphia. There are several hotels near the airport that are a short drive, taxi ride, or shuttle ride away. Here are some options:

Philadelphia Airport Marriott

The Philadelphia Airport Marriott is connected to the Philadelphia International Airport Terminal B via a skywalk, making it a quick trip to the airport. The hotel is also near downtown Philadelphia attractions such as Penn's Landing, the National Constitution Center, and Eagle's Stadium at Lincoln Financial Field.

Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport

The Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport is located just half a mile from the airport and offers a free airport shuttle. It is also within a thirty-minute drive of major highways leading to Delaware and the suburbs. Guests can enjoy complimentary drinks, a free made-to-order breakfast, and an excellent fitness centre.

Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport

The Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Philadelphia International Airport and downtown Philadelphia attractions.

In addition to these options, there are 17 hotels within a mile of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and many more within a short distance. The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package includes free parking at your hotel and other perks, making it a great way to experience Philadelphia during your visit.

History of the airport

The history of Philadelphia International Airport can be traced back to the early 1920s. In 1925, the City of Philadelphia entered the aviation industry by providing the Pennsylvania National Guard with 125 acres of land for training purposes. The site, known as Hog Island, was located in the Southwest section of the city, approximately six miles from the city centre, and near the Delaware River. The following year, in 1926, the city signed an agreement with the Ludington Exhibition Company, the precursor to Eastern Airlines, to operate the facility as the "`Municipal Aviation Landing Field`.

On October 22, 1927, the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh landed at the Philadelphia Airport in the Spirit of Saint Louis. During his visit, Lindbergh ceremoniously dedicated the airport as the "Philadelphia Municipal Airport". At the time, the airport served as a training airfield for the Pennsylvania National Guard and the United States Army, and it did not have a proper terminal building until 1940. The major airlines serving Philadelphia—American, Eastern, TWA, and United—operated through Camden Central Airport in nearby Camden, New Jersey, across the Delaware River.

In 1930, the city purchased Hog Island from the United States Shipping Board for $3 million to facilitate the airport's expansion. However, due to the Great Depression, construction was delayed until 1937. The Philadelphia Municipal Airport officially opened on June 20, 1940, and served 40,000 passengers in its first year of operation. The airport's weather station became the official point for Philadelphia weather observations and records by the National Weather Service in 1940.

During World War II, the airport played a significant role in defending the Delaware Valley area. Various fighter and bomber groups were organised and trained at the airport before being deployed for advanced training or overseas assignments. In 1945, the Air Force reduced its use of the airport, and it was returned to civil control. The same year, American Overseas Airlines commenced direct flights to Europe, marking the airport's transition from solely domestic flights to international operations, and leading to its renaming as Philadelphia International Airport.

In the following decades, the airport underwent several expansions and improvements. A new terminal was constructed in 1953, and by 1957, the airport was providing numerous weekday departures on various airlines. The first scheduled jets, TWA 707s, arrived in the summer of 1959. In 1972, a new 10,500-foot all-weather runway and high-speed taxiways were built, further enhancing the airport's capabilities. By 1987, the airport was serving 15.5 million passengers annually, showcasing its growth and importance in the region. Today, it is considered one of the busiest airports in the United States, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Frequently asked questions