Ruth Haines
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 52,325,266 passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024. The airport has a rich history, dating back to the 1950s, and has undergone numerous expansions and upgrades over the years. With three parallel runways, a 326-foot-tall air traffic control tower, and multiple terminals, the airport is a hub for airlines such as American Airlines, Air France, and Southwest Airlines. The airport offers various amenities, including shuttle services, a museum, and restaurants, and is known for its friendly volunteer Navigators. Phoenix Sky Harbor continues to develop, with recent plans for a new terminal and infrastructure upgrades.
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What You'll Learn
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
- Terminal 2 was decommissioned in 2020 and demolished in 2021
- Terminal 3 was renamed after Senator John McCain in 2021
- Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates
- The airport has a museum displaying local aviation memorabilia
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
Phoenix Sky Harbor has a rich history, with the airport landing its first transatlantic flight in 1996, operated by British Airways. The airport has undergone numerous expansions over the years, including the addition of the N4 International Concourse in 1994, the N1 concourse for America West Airlines in 1998, and the S2 concourse for Southwest Airlines in 2004. The airport also offers a range of transportation options, including shuttle bus services, taxi, limousine, and ride-sharing services.
The airport has consistently broken passenger records, with 52,325,266 passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024, a 7.5% increase from 2023. To accommodate this growth, Phoenix Sky Harbor has invested in infrastructure upgrades, with plans for improvements to its central utility plant in Terminal 4 to enhance air conditioning. The airport also offers various amenities, including the Phoenix Airport Museum, which showcases artwork and local aviation memorabilia.
Phoenix Sky Harbor has earned the title of "America's Friendliest Airport", attributed to the collegial spirit of its volunteer Navigators. The airport prioritises elevating the customer experience, offering unique events and activities for passengers, such as Valentine's Day art events. With its continuous growth, record-breaking passenger numbers, and dedication to enhancing the customer experience, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport solidifies its position as one of the busiest airports worldwide.
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Terminal 2 was decommissioned in 2020 and demolished in 2021
Terminal 2 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was decommissioned in February 2020 and demolished in early 2021. The terminal was replaced by concrete stands for aircraft, which are accessible by bus from the remaining terminals. Airlines that previously used Terminal 2 were relocated to Terminal 3, which had completed renovations in January 2020.
The decommissioning and demolition of Terminal 2 are part of the ongoing changes at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airport has a long history of expansion and renovation, dating back to the construction of a new passenger terminal and runways after World War II. In the 1990s, the airport continued to expand, with the addition of new concourses and gates. Terminal 4, the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates, was also constructed during this time.
In recent years, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has continued to undergo significant developments. In 2024, the airport announced plans for infrastructure upgrades at its central utility plant in Terminal 4, aiming to improve the airport's air conditioning. Additionally, the airport has seen record-breaking passenger numbers, with over 50 million passengers travelling through in 2023 and 2024.
The airport also provides a range of services and amenities for travellers, including shuttle bus services, taxi, limousine, and ride-sharing options, as well as cultural activities and performances at the Culture Corner in Terminal 3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is known for its friendly atmosphere, attributed to the volunteer Navigators who assist travellers.
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Terminal 3 was renamed after Senator John McCain in 2021
Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was renamed after Senator John McCain in January 2021. The terminal had recently undergone a $590 million modernisation programme, which included a new south concourse, 15 new gates, and a remodelled north concourse. The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously in November 2017 to approve a proposal by Mayor Greg Stanton to rename the terminal after McCain.
Senator McCain was a former naval aviator and long-serving member of the US Senate, representing Arizona. Mayor Stanton said, "Senator McCain has given so much of himself to our country, to Arizona and to Phoenix. Giving something back to an American hero [...] is the least we can do."
Terminal 3 is not the only terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to be named after a prominent figure. Terminal 4 is named after former Arizona Senator and 1964 Presidential candidate Barry M. Goldwater. The airport's Executive Terminal is named after Phoenix civil rights leader Lincoln Ragsdale, Sr.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport covers 3,400 acres and has three runways, all of which can accommodate aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 lb or more. The airport provides shuttle bus services between the terminals and the rental car centre, and Valley Metro bus route 13 serves a stop near the Airport's Operations building, west of Terminal 3.
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Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates
Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates. Designed by DWL Architects + Planners, Inc., it is divided into seven satellite concourses connected behind security. The eighth and final concourse for Terminal 4 began construction in May 2019. Terminal 4 is named after former Arizona Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry M. Goldwater.
The airport provides a shuttle bus service between the terminals and the rental car center, with separate routes serving each terminal. The Valley Metro Rail has a stop at the nearby 44th St/Washington light rail station, which connects to the PHX Sky Train station. The Sky Train then travels onwards to stations at the East Economy Parking Lot and Terminals 3 and 4.
Terminal 4 has seen several developments over the years. In 2020, the Transportation Security Administration introduced backscatter X-ray machines at the airport. In February 2024, the airport announced plans for infrastructure upgrades at its central utility plant in Terminal 4, aiming to improve air conditioning.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has also witnessed significant growth in passenger numbers. In 2024, the airport surpassed 50 million passengers, with a 7.5% increase in year-end passenger numbers compared to 2023. The airport has broken passenger records, with 52,325,266 passengers in 2024, making it the busiest year in its history.
The airport has also seen various improvements and expansions over the years, including the addition of new concourses and gates, such as the N4 International Concourse, which added 10 gates, and the North 2 Concourse in Terminal 3, which added six new passenger gates.
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The airport has a museum displaying local aviation memorabilia
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, known by its airport code PHX, is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Covering 3,400 acres of land, the airport has three parallel concrete runways, with the tallest air traffic control tower in North America standing at 326 feet. Phoenix Sky Harbor is the largest hub for American Airlines, which merged with US Airways in 2015. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and runways.
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also features a unique museum showcasing aviation history and art. The Phoenix Airport Museum displays local aviation memorabilia, artefacts, documents, and artwork. The museum is dedicated to enhancing the airport environment and fostering a sense of community. It features exhibitions honouring Arizona's accomplished aviators, including those who faced racial prejudice and made significant contributions to military and commercial aviation.
The Aviation History Collection showcases the historic accomplishments made in Arizona air transport. It includes images, objects, and information relating to renowned pilots from Arizona, such as Lincoln J. Ragsdale and Janet Harmon Bragg, the first Black woman to receive a commercial pilot's license in the US in 1942. The museum also highlights the airport's colourful history, including the story of its open-air chapel, where celebrities and local residents once flew in to tie the knot.
The Phoenix Airport Museum can be found inside the terminal, with exhibitions throughout Terminals 3 and 4. Visitors can explore a diverse range of artwork, including sculptures, murals, glass installations, and over 80 works of art inside and outside the Rental Car Center. The museum also showcases artist-designed terrazzo floors, desert garden installations, and ever-changing exhibitions. The goal of the museum is to acquire contemporary art and create a warm and inviting atmosphere for travellers passing through the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is an airport in Phoenix, Arizona, covering 3,400 acres of land. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 52,325,266 passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024.
Airlines that operate at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport include American Airlines, Air France, Porter Airlines, Condor Airlines, and more.
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport landed its first transatlantic flight in 1996, operated by British Airways. In 2020, Terminal 2 was decommissioned and replaced by concrete stands for aircraft. The airport also has a museum displaying artwork and local aviation memorabilia.
