
Phoenix, Arizona, is served by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a civil-military public airport located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix. It is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, and among the largest commercial airports in the United States. The airport serves as a hub for several major airlines and has two terminals, with the largest being Terminal 4, designed by DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport covers 3,400 acres of land and has three parallel concrete runways that can accommodate aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 pounds or more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport |
| Airport Code | PHX |
| Location | 3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States |
| Elevation | 1,135 feet / 346 meters |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Runway Lengths | 10,300 feet (Runway 7R/25L), 9,081 feet (Runway 7L/25R), and 8,806 feet (Runway 8/26) |
| Area | 3,000 acres (12.14 km2) |
| Owner | City of Phoenix |
| Operator | City of Phoenix Aviation Department |
| Passenger Traffic | 46,275,309 (2021) |
| Website | https://www.phoenix.gov/skyharbor |
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What You'll Learn
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona
- The airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix Aviation Department
- Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates
- The airport is 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix
- The airport is home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona
With 86 gates divided into seven satellite concourses, Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor. International carriers such as American and Southwest Airlines primarily operate out of this terminal. Terminal 3, named after Senator John McCain, is also a significant hub, accommodating both arrivals and departures for Alaska Airlines and housing the airport's 326-foot-tall (99 m) air traffic control tower.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. In 1994, the N4 International Concourse was added, providing 10 additional gates and a sterile walkway to the S4 concourse. The N1 concourse, completed in 1998, offers 14 gates specifically for America West Airlines. More recently, construction on the eighth and final concourse for Terminal 4 commenced in May 2019, continuing the airport's expansion to meet the demands of its high passenger traffic.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also has a military presence, serving as the base for the 161st Air Refueling Wing (161 ARW) of the Arizona Air National Guard. The unit operates the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and performs both domestic and overseas roles. The airport's convenient location and extensive infrastructure have contributed to its status as one of the largest commercial airports in the United States, ranking as the 14th busiest airport in the country and 33rd busiest worldwide in 2021.
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The airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix Aviation Department
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix Aviation Department. The airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona and among the largest commercial airports in the country. The airport serves as a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
The Phoenix Aviation Department also manages two other airports in the area: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport and Phoenix Goodyear Airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, however, stands out as the primary airport serving the city of Phoenix and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing air traffic and passenger demand. Terminal 4, the largest and busiest terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, boasts 86 gates (now 92 gates according to a different source) across seven satellite concourses. In 2020, Terminal 2 was decommissioned, and Terminal 3 was renamed in honor of Senator John McCain.
The airport covers 3,400 acres of land and features three parallel concrete runways capable of accommodating large aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 pounds or more. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also has a prominent military presence, housing the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, known as the Goldwater Air National Guard Base.
With its dynamic growth, strategic location, and efficient management by the Phoenix Aviation Department, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport plays a vital role in connecting Phoenix to the rest of the world, catering to both domestic and international travellers.
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Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport. Terminal 4, designed by DWL Architects + Planners, Inc., is the largest and busiest terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. With 86 gates, it is significantly larger than Terminal 3, which contains 25 gates. Terminal 4 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 terminal has undergone several expansions over the years, with the N4 International Concourse being added in 1994, followed by the construction of the N1 concourse for America West Airlines in 1997, and the S2 concourse for Southwest Airlines in 2002.
Terminal 4 serves as a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. The airport itself covers 3,400 acres and has three parallel concrete runways, all capable of accommodating large aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 pounds or more.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has a significant role in both domestic and international aviation. It was ranked as the 14th busiest airport in the United States and the 33rd busiest in the world in 2021. The airport's central location in Maricopa County, Arizona, just 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, makes it a convenient travel hub for the region.
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The airport is 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Arizona and is among the largest commercial airports in the United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix Aviation Department, which also manages Phoenix Deer Valley Airport and Phoenix Goodyear Airport.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport covers 3,400 acres of land and is situated at an elevation of 1,135 feet. The airport features three parallel concrete runways, capable of accommodating aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 pounds or more. The runways are designated as Runway 8/26, Runway 7L/25R, and Runway 7R/25L, with varying lengths and widths.
The airport serves as a significant hub for several airlines, including American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Terminal 4, designed by DWL Architects + Planners, Inc., is the largest and busiest terminal at the airport, boasting 86 gates across seven satellite concourses. Terminal 4 is a hub for international carriers such as American and Southwest Airlines.
In addition to its commercial operations, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also has a military presence. The airport is home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, based at Goldwater Air National Guard Base. The unit operates the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and serves both domestic and overseas roles.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new concourses and terminals to accommodate increasing air traffic and demand. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport continues to be a vital transportation hub for the region, offering convenient access to downtown Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
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The airport is home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport. It is located 3 miles (or 4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The airport is home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing (161 ARW), an Air Mobility Command (AMC)-gained unit of the Arizona Air National Guard.
The 161 ARW is a military unit stationed at the Goldwater Air National Guard Base, which is located within Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The 161st Air Refueling Wing's principal mission is air refuelling, and it enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. The unit also provides aerial refuelling support to Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as aircraft from allied nations. The 161 ARW is comprised of various units, including the 161st Copperheads, who served in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in 1999.
The base is located on the southern end of the airport on a 50-acre parcel of land, with a total of 16 buildings, including 2 administrative and 14 industrial buildings, amounting to approximately 236,000 square feet. The 161 ARW flies the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and is one of two flying units in the Arizona Air National Guard.
The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations, and aerial refuelling. The Air National Guard also has total responsibility for the air defence of the entire United States. The 161 ARW is a valuable asset to the Air Force, providing critical air refuelling capabilities and enhancing the reach and power of the Air Force's global operations.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Phoenix is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix.
Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with 86 gates (now 92 gates according to a more recent source).
In 1998, a proposal was made to rename the airport after former Arizona Senator and 1964 Presidential candidate Barry M. Goldwater. However, the public expressed a strong preference for retaining the familiar name "Sky Harbor".
Unfortunately, I cannot find specific information on the modes of transport to get to the airport. However, the airport has an official website that may provide further details on transport options.









































