PHX · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Overview

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the principal commercial airport serving Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding Southwest region. Ranked number 13 on the most recent list of the busiest airports in the United States, it handled approximately 48.7M passengers in its last reported year, placing it firmly among the country's most consequential aviation gateways. The airfield operates 3 active runways and presents travelers with 2 passenger terminals, organized into a layout that has been refined across decades of capital improvement programs and changing carrier strategies.

For most arriving travelers, the first impression of Phoenix is shaped here. The airport functions as a hub for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which means a substantial share of the traffic on the field consists of connecting passengers who never leave the secure side of the building. That dynamic affects everything from how the concourses are laid out to how long the security lines run during the morning and late-afternoon banks. Understanding which airline you are flying and which terminal it uses is the single most useful piece of information for navigating PHX smoothly, because the journey between terminals can range from a short walk to a dedicated train ride depending on the configuration.

Beyond raw passenger counts, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport plays an outsized role in the local economy. Tens of thousands of jobs — from ramp agents and TSA officers to chefs, retail workers, and corporate aviation staff — are tied directly to operations on the field, and the surrounding cargo, logistics, and hospitality industries that orbit the airport employ many thousands more. Concession programs have also shifted in recent years toward locally owned restaurants and regional brands, so the food and shopping you encounter inside the terminals are increasingly an extension of the Phoenix dining and retail scene rather than the generic chain-store airport experience of an earlier era.

This guide is organized into focused sections so that you can jump straight to the information you need. The terminals page walks through each building and concourse, including which airlines operate where and how to move between them. The airlines page lists the major carriers that serve PHX along with their typical destinations. The parking page explains the on-site garages, economy lots, cell phone waiting areas, and off-site alternatives. The ground transportation page covers rideshare pickup zones, taxis, public transit, rental cars, and shuttle options. The amenities page surveys lounges, dining, shopping, family services, and accessibility features. Each page is written for first-time visitors and frequent flyers alike, with the expectation that you will check official airport sources for last-minute construction notices and operational changes.

Background: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (IATA: PHX, ICAO: KPHX, FAA LID: PHX) is a civil-military public international airport 3 miles (2.6 nmi; 4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.[3] It is Arizona's largest and busiest airport. Among the largest commercial airports in the United States, PHX was the 11th-busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger boardings and 38th-busiest in the world in 2025.[5] The airport serves as a hub for American Airlines and a base for Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.