Oct 10, 2013, 9:54 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
AA in PHL
Link to downloadable PDF PHL airport map
Philadelphia International Airport
This is a snapshot of post 1 of this thread, and has been revised over time. Feel free to add/modify what is here as needed. This thread originated in the legacy US Airways Dividend Miles forum. Link to older archived posts.
General Information
The airport is located at:
8000 Essington Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19153
Note: The baggage claim for terminal F has relocated to its own building on the arrivals roadway.
Passenger Information Guide: https://www.phl.org/Documents/Passen.../InfoGuide.pdf
Main airport website: http://www.phl.org
Link to contact phone numbers and email addresses for paging, parking, airport police, etc.
Check-In Times
Last confirmed 26 June 2017 (Click for link to source)
The following are recommended by AA:
Terminals
At PHL, AA operates from five terminals:
Ticket Counter Locations, Hours, and Kiosks
Last confirmed 15 January 2018 (Click for link to source)
Ticket Counters are staffed daily:
Note: It is possible to use any AA ticket counter to check in and drop baggage, regardless of your flight's departure terminal.
Security at PHL
Last confirmed 7 October 2017 (Click for link to source)
TSA staffs checkpoints at all PHL terminals. All gates are connected airside, so it may be faster to use a checkpoint that is not associated with your gates.
PreCheck is only available at Terminal A-East, C, and D/E checkpoints.
In the evening and overnight (observed after 11 PM), not all exits may be available. Looks for the visual paging displays (located by most Flight Info Displays and throughout the terminals) for exit closing announcements! Exit B is always open.
How to Change Terminals
Shuttle: AA offers the following shuttle routes:
Walking
ATMs
Bank of America provides 17 ATMs at the airport. A current list may be found here.
Prepaid SIM cards
You can buy prepaid SIM cards in the Airport Wireless stores. Those are airside. Not sure what is available landside as the only "retail" store is a newsstand in the International Arrivals hall.
Parking at PHL
On-site parking is managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA).
Link to current rates.
Estimated parking availability in the garages is available from the Airport's homepage, www.phl.org.
NEW in June 2017: AAdvantage Aviator Cardholders (Barclay's) now have access to reserved parking. See this link for more info.
For off-airport parking lot information,
see this thread...
Where to eat and drink in the airport
There are all manner of restaurants in PHL, from wine bar to bistro to Asian to fast food. In addition to the establishments in each terminal, there is a food court between terminals B and C.
Food options vary throughout the airport, but there is a wide selection. Many open as early as 5:00 am, most are closed by 11:00pm. Due to renovations, there is no longer a 24/7 restaurant behind security. Philadelphia's beverage tax must be collected in city limits, which comprises of everything except Terminal A-West. Pepsi appears to be the preferred soda vendor throughout most of the airport, including Chick-Fil-A and Smashburger in the B/C food court. Coke products are still sold in some parts of the airport, but it may take some searching.
See this link for the current directory.
Terminal B was renovated in 2017-2018 to add iPads to most seats in the gate areas to allow ordering at the gate. A similar arrangement is used in some portions of Terminal F. (link to FT thread)
Admirals Clubs and Other Lounges
Last confirmed 15 January 2018 (Click for link to source)
Admirals Club: Terminal A-East, Lower Level, between gates A4 and A6A.
Open Daily 6:30 am - 10:30 pm
Admirals Club: Terminal A-West, Mezzanine Level, between gates A15 and A16.
Currently closed for renovation. Expected to be rebranded as a Flagship Lounge
Admirals Club: Terminals B and C, Third Floor over Food Court
Open Daily 4:30 am - 10:30 pm
Admirals Club: Terminal F, Upper Level Food Court in the Central Hub
Open Daily 6:30 am - 8:30 pm
British Airways Galleries Club Lounge / First Lounge:Terminal A-West, Gate Level by A14.
Open Daily 3:15 pm to 8:20 pm
Also serves Qatar Airways customers daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.
Note: This lounge has been known to disallow non BA passengers, regardless of OW entry rules.
American Express Centurion Lounge: Terminal A-West, Second Level by A14 (Over the BA Club).
Open daily 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
This is currently the only premium lounge at PHL with a shower facility. Shower is back in operation as of 25 May 2018.
The USO lounge is now (late April 2018) located in Terminal E. Showers are said to be available in this lounge as well.
Minute Suites is available airside in the A-East/B connector, and is a Priority Pass lounge. There are no showers.
First 30 minutes free for use by nursing mothers.
Open daily 24 hours.
Wireless in PHL
Airport Wifi was recently upgraded and is free for all passengers.
Where can I smoke at the airport?
Only in designated smoking areas on the pick up roadways outside baggage claim. There is no smoking airside at the airport.
Do I have time to go into Philadelphia?
If your layover is more than three hours (and I’m sure this is debatable), you may have time for a quick trip into the city.
Ground Transportation and How to Visit Philadelphia
The zones mentioned below refer to areas on either side of the baggage claims for each terminal. If you have hired a private car, or meeting with group transportation, it is common they will be waiting at the bottom of the escalators from your terminal. Zones 1-4 are typically on the Arrivals Roadway, Zones 5 through 8 are on the Commercial Roadway, adjacent to the railroad tracks.
It is against airport rules for any driver to solicit you from inside the terminal, but this is difficult to enforce.
AA in PHL
Link to downloadable PDF PHL airport map
Philadelphia International Airport
This is a snapshot of post 1 of this thread, and has been revised over time. Feel free to add/modify what is here as needed. This thread originated in the legacy US Airways Dividend Miles forum. Link to older archived posts.
General Information
The airport is located at:
8000 Essington Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19153
Note: The baggage claim for terminal F has relocated to its own building on the arrivals roadway.
Passenger Information Guide: https://www.phl.org/Documents/Passen.../InfoGuide.pdf
Main airport website: http://www.phl.org
Link to contact phone numbers and email addresses for paging, parking, airport police, etc.
Check-In Times
Last confirmed 26 June 2017 (Click for link to source)
The following are recommended by AA:
- For flights within the United States: 45 minutes before scheduled departure
- For all other flights: At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure
Terminals
At PHL, AA operates from five terminals:
- A-West for Gates A14 to A26
- A-East for Gates A2 to A13
- B for Gates B1 to B16
- C for Gates C16 to C30
- F for Gates F1 to F39
- Most flights in A-West and A-East are transatlantic (TATL) but there will be mainline domestic arrivals/departures and Republic regional flights, especially throughout the morning and early afternoon. If your flight is on an A330 or B767, it will almost certainly be at these gates.
- B and C are mainline domestic, Caribbean, and Canadian flights and also include E-170/E175 and E190 flights. Before the merger, international flights served by B757s would depart from either concourse.
- F is for regional flights (RJs with 50 seats or fewer as well as CRJ-700 and -900s and turboprops operate out of F) both domestic and Canadian.
- oneworld partners (British Airways and Qatar) check-in and gates are in A-West.
- AerLingus check-in and gate is in A-East.
- Alaska Airlines (and Virgin America) use terminal D.
Ticket Counter Locations, Hours, and Kiosks
Last confirmed 15 January 2018 (Click for link to source)
Ticket Counters are staffed daily:
- Terminal A-West: 4:30 AM - 9:00 PM
- Terminal A-East: 3:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- Terminals B and C: 3:30 AM - 9:00 PM
- Terminal F: 4:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Note: It is possible to use any AA ticket counter to check in and drop baggage, regardless of your flight's departure terminal.
Security at PHL
Last confirmed 7 October 2017 (Click for link to source)
TSA staffs checkpoints at all PHL terminals. All gates are connected airside, so it may be faster to use a checkpoint that is not associated with your gates.
PreCheck is only available at Terminal A-East, C, and D/E checkpoints.
- Terminal A West: 5:15 am - 9:25 pm
- Terminal A East: 3:30 am - 8:25 pm (PreCheck 3:30 am - 8:00 pm)
- Terminal B: Open 24 hours
- Terminal C: 4:15 am - 8:15 pm PreCheck ONLY
- Terminal D/E: 3:45 am - 9:25 pm (PreCheck 3:45 am - 8:00 pm)
- Terminal F: 4:15 am - 8:55 pm
In the evening and overnight (observed after 11 PM), not all exits may be available. Looks for the visual paging displays (located by most Flight Info Displays and throughout the terminals) for exit closing announcements! Exit B is always open.
How to Change Terminals
Shuttle: AA offers the following shuttle routes:
- Gate A1 (located between Terminal A-East and Terminal B) to Gate F10
- Gate C16 (located between Terminal C and Terminal D) to Gate F10
- Gate F10 (located in the Terminal F Food Hub) to Gate A1
- Gate F10 (located in the Terminal F Food Hub) to Gate C16
Walking
- Airside: It is possible to walk between all gates in all terminals. There are some moving walkways. "Normal" able-bodied adults can walk between almost any two gates in A, B, or C in about 15 minutes or less and between any two gates in F in about 5 minutes. Walking from F to A/B/C is longer; the distance from the furthest reaches of A-West to F is more than a mile.
- Landside: You must leave the parking garages/ticketing halls to move between terminals before security. An option is to use the SEPTA rail platforms to move between terminals, which are accessible on the walkways to each terminal from the garages, about half-way between TSA and baggage claim.
- Landside: It is also possible to use the Economy Parking Shuttle between terminals
ATMs
Bank of America provides 17 ATMs at the airport. A current list may be found here.
Prepaid SIM cards
You can buy prepaid SIM cards in the Airport Wireless stores. Those are airside. Not sure what is available landside as the only "retail" store is a newsstand in the International Arrivals hall.
Parking at PHL
On-site parking is managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA).
Link to current rates.
Estimated parking availability in the garages is available from the Airport's homepage, www.phl.org.
NEW in June 2017: AAdvantage Aviator Cardholders (Barclay's) now have access to reserved parking. See this link for more info.
For off-airport parking lot information,
see this thread...
Where to eat and drink in the airport
There are all manner of restaurants in PHL, from wine bar to bistro to Asian to fast food. In addition to the establishments in each terminal, there is a food court between terminals B and C.
Food options vary throughout the airport, but there is a wide selection. Many open as early as 5:00 am, most are closed by 11:00pm. Due to renovations, there is no longer a 24/7 restaurant behind security. Philadelphia's beverage tax must be collected in city limits, which comprises of everything except Terminal A-West. Pepsi appears to be the preferred soda vendor throughout most of the airport, including Chick-Fil-A and Smashburger in the B/C food court. Coke products are still sold in some parts of the airport, but it may take some searching.
See this link for the current directory.
Terminal B was renovated in 2017-2018 to add iPads to most seats in the gate areas to allow ordering at the gate. A similar arrangement is used in some portions of Terminal F. (link to FT thread)
Admirals Clubs and Other Lounges
Last confirmed 15 January 2018 (Click for link to source)
Admirals Club: Terminal A-East, Lower Level, between gates A4 and A6A.
Open Daily 6:30 am - 10:30 pm
Admirals Club: Terminal A-West, Mezzanine Level, between gates A15 and A16.
Currently closed for renovation. Expected to be rebranded as a Flagship Lounge
Admirals Club: Terminals B and C, Third Floor over Food Court
Open Daily 4:30 am - 10:30 pm
Admirals Club: Terminal F, Upper Level Food Court in the Central Hub
Open Daily 6:30 am - 8:30 pm
British Airways Galleries Club Lounge / First Lounge:Terminal A-West, Gate Level by A14.
Open Daily 3:15 pm to 8:20 pm
Also serves Qatar Airways customers daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.
Note: This lounge has been known to disallow non BA passengers, regardless of OW entry rules.
American Express Centurion Lounge: Terminal A-West, Second Level by A14 (Over the BA Club).
Open daily 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
This is currently the only premium lounge at PHL with a shower facility. Shower is back in operation as of 25 May 2018.
The USO lounge is now (late April 2018) located in Terminal E. Showers are said to be available in this lounge as well.
Minute Suites is available airside in the A-East/B connector, and is a Priority Pass lounge. There are no showers.
First 30 minutes free for use by nursing mothers.
Open daily 24 hours.
Wireless in PHL
Airport Wifi was recently upgraded and is free for all passengers.
Where can I smoke at the airport?
Only in designated smoking areas on the pick up roadways outside baggage claim. There is no smoking airside at the airport.
Do I have time to go into Philadelphia?
If your layover is more than three hours (and I’m sure this is debatable), you may have time for a quick trip into the city.
Ground Transportation and How to Visit Philadelphia
The zones mentioned below refer to areas on either side of the baggage claims for each terminal. If you have hired a private car, or meeting with group transportation, it is common they will be waiting at the bottom of the escalators from your terminal. Zones 1-4 are typically on the Arrivals Roadway, Zones 5 through 8 are on the Commercial Roadway, adjacent to the railroad tracks.
It is against airport rules for any driver to solicit you from inside the terminal, but this is difficult to enforce.
- Rental Cars: Both On- and Off-Airport agencies use company shuttle busses to their respective lots. Pickup is outside baggage claim, Zone 2.
- SEPTA Regional Rail's Airport Line travels between each of the PHL terminals, Penn Medicine (formerly University City) and three Center City stops. This train runs every half-hour (currently every hour on weekends due to pandemic related service reductions) and takes about 20 minutes to get to 30th Street Station. Train fare is $6.50 from Quick Trip machines at the airport stations or Ticket offices at Center City stations (cash or credit/debit card) or $8 cash only (change is available) on board to Center City. Fare is $8.50 from machines or ticket offices or $9 cash on board to all other Regional Rail stations. If you are traveling to one of the three Center City stops, be sure to hold on to your ticket as you now need it to exit through the kiosks at those stations.
- SEPTA Bus: Two city buses also serve the airport ($2.25 cash fare; exact change only). Bus berths are at Zone 1.
- Center City Taxi: Accessed at Zone 5. A base flat-rate $28.50 + up to $3 in passenger charges (based on number of passengers 12+) is in effect for all fares to and from the airport and the Center City area. This area encompasses: Fairmount Ave (North), South Street (South) Delaware River (East) and University City/ 38th Street (West).All cabs are supposed to accept Credit Cards, verify with your driver at the start of the trip.
- Metered Taxi: Metered rates are in effect for all destinations not in the Center City zone. Tolls and other surcharges may apply. All cabs are supposed to accept Credit Cards, verify with your driver at the start of the trip.
- Uber and Lyft both operate at the airport, follow their directions provided to request a ride.
AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc.
Jan 14, 2014, 5:46 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston Suburbrs
Programs: AA ExPlat, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 1,205
I want to thank everyone for the advice. I think I am leaning towards the CLT flight to Cancun. I would love to get there earlier but CLT sounds like a airport that would be easier to navigate through.
The return flight I am on the fence. I am not sure which way to go. A 2 hour layover in CLT which sounds like a easier airport to layover in or a 2 1/2 hour layover in PHL which can be a more difficult to layover in. Both flights leave Cancun 30 minutes apart.
What do you guys think?
The return flight I am on the fence. I am not sure which way to go. A 2 hour layover in CLT which sounds like a easier airport to layover in or a 2 1/2 hour layover in PHL which can be a more difficult to layover in. Both flights leave Cancun 30 minutes apart.
What do you guys think?
Jan 18, 2014, 3:32 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald), IHG Platinum Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 12
I am due to connect in PHL, between two separate bookings on two separate airlines.
Neither airline is US, but this thread seems to have by far the best advice on navigating PHL, and any answer may be useful to others too.
The plan is:
Arrive at Terminal D on a domestic Delta flight from Minneapolis (DL2488).
Depart from Terminal A on an international BA flight to London Heathrow (BA68) a little over 2.5hrs later.
The problems are: I'm booked on two separate itineraries so I assume I'll have to claim my baggage, exit to landside(?), switch terminals, go to bag drop and re-clear security. I also have no idea how punctual DL2488 might be.
My questions are really:
Can this be comfortably done? (I'm looking for very low risk)
If I've completed advance check-in online for my connecting flight, do I still have to exit to landside to drop my bags, or is there some other way while remaining airside?
If I do have to exit to landside, should I transit to Terminal A while still airside, or should I do it landside?
Are there any other tips I need to know to make this go smoothly?
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to give.
Neither airline is US, but this thread seems to have by far the best advice on navigating PHL, and any answer may be useful to others too.
The plan is:
Arrive at Terminal D on a domestic Delta flight from Minneapolis (DL2488).
Depart from Terminal A on an international BA flight to London Heathrow (BA68) a little over 2.5hrs later.
The problems are: I'm booked on two separate itineraries so I assume I'll have to claim my baggage, exit to landside(?), switch terminals, go to bag drop and re-clear security. I also have no idea how punctual DL2488 might be.
My questions are really:
Can this be comfortably done? (I'm looking for very low risk)
If I've completed advance check-in online for my connecting flight, do I still have to exit to landside to drop my bags, or is there some other way while remaining airside?
If I do have to exit to landside, should I transit to Terminal A while still airside, or should I do it landside?
Are there any other tips I need to know to make this go smoothly?
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to give.
Jan 18, 2014, 5:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
A US guide to PHL (The Philadelphia airport)
If you checked bags with Delta to PHL, you have to go landslide at term D to retrieve. I believe the only landslide connection from terminal D to terminal A is outside.
Jan 18, 2014, 5:51 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
I am due to connect in PHL, between two separate bookings on two separate airlines.
Neither airline is US, but this thread seems to have by far the best advice on navigating PHL, and any answer may be useful to others too.
The plan is:
Arrive at Terminal D on a domestic Delta flight from Minneapolis (DL2488).
Depart from Terminal A on an international BA flight to London Heathrow (BA68) a little over 2.5hrs later.
The problems are: I'm booked on two separate itineraries so I assume I'll have to claim my baggage, exit to landside(?), switch terminals, go to bag drop and re-clear security. I also have no idea how punctual DL2488 might be.
My questions are really:
Can this be comfortably done? (I'm looking for very low risk)
If I've completed advance check-in online for my connecting flight, do I still have to exit to landside to drop my bags, or is there some other way while remaining airside?
If I do have to exit to landside, should I transit to Terminal A while still airside, or should I do it landside?
Are there any other tips I need to know to make this go smoothly?
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to give.
Neither airline is US, but this thread seems to have by far the best advice on navigating PHL, and any answer may be useful to others too.
The plan is:
Arrive at Terminal D on a domestic Delta flight from Minneapolis (DL2488).
Depart from Terminal A on an international BA flight to London Heathrow (BA68) a little over 2.5hrs later.
The problems are: I'm booked on two separate itineraries so I assume I'll have to claim my baggage, exit to landside(?), switch terminals, go to bag drop and re-clear security. I also have no idea how punctual DL2488 might be.
My questions are really:
Can this be comfortably done? (I'm looking for very low risk)
If I've completed advance check-in online for my connecting flight, do I still have to exit to landside to drop my bags, or is there some other way while remaining airside?
If I do have to exit to landside, should I transit to Terminal A while still airside, or should I do it landside?
Are there any other tips I need to know to make this go smoothly?
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to give.
1) If checking bags, you will need to claim them at Terminal D baggage claim landside from DL, as DL no longer checks through to other carriers on separate tickets: http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthew...arate-tickets/ You would then either need to walk outside all the way down to Terminal A-West to check in with BA, something I can do with a shoulder bag & rollaboard in about 15 minutes, or perhaps a better option with heavy/large bags would be to hop on a rental car shuttle outside baggage claim, then take the next shuttle to A-West once you get to the rental car agency. Might be a tad awkward if you get the same driver and you might want to tip well:-) I would estimate this would take 15-25 minutes depending on how quickly you can get a shuttle back to A-West.
Off airport hotel and parking shuttles are not an option here, as they're not on airport property, but the rental cars are. You can also grab a taxi from baggage claim though they'll likely be a bit surprised by your destination, or you could even take the SEPTA train to the city from Terminal D station to Terminal A station, but these only run every 30 minutes (and though they should charge a fare for it, there's a decent chance they won't).
Is not checking bags an option? If you don't have checked bags, I would walk through the terminals inside security to the A-East exit, then head outside and left to A-West to check in with BA. If you have an AA Admiral's Club membership, OneWorld status enough for lounge access, or a business class ticket on BA 68, you could try continuing past the A-East exit to the BA lounge on the right past A-East security and before gate A14 and see if they can check you in there. I have no idea if they will or not but as it's not far past the A-East exit to landside, I would try it. Once, UA rebooked me from PHL-ORD-LHR to BA PHL-LHR and I tried to check in at the BA gate but they sent me out to the ticket counter to check in, so that's likely not an option. I didn't try the lounge at the time, but probably should have.
2) 2.5 hours would be OK so long as you don't "dilly dally" as my grandmother used to say, however there is really no buffer for delays. If you haven't booked this yet, I would book an earlier MSP-PHL or do a different routing. I didn't see a DL 2488 in the near term schedule (though a DL 2489 MSP-PHL does exist in March arriving in the 5pm hour) so its tough to check reliability, but since BA 68 leaves late evening, I'll assume your DL flight arrives 7-8 pm. This is unfortunately one of the most delay prone times of the day at PHL especially in poor weather.
So it's possible, even probable, that'd you'd make this most days. It will not be very low risk, over even less than medium risk, without a longer connection. Personally, I wouldn't book this, but if there were substantial savings and I could take an earlier MSP-PHL, I would consider it.
Jan 19, 2014, 4:30 am
#20
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald), IHG Platinum Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 12
Thank you both, particularly phlwookie, for the incredibly helpful responses.
The itinerary is a weird one, yes. PHL-LHR is the return leg of an ordinary transatlantic booking, which I will have arrived on ten days earlier. The domestic connection from MSP on my return day is just one of several domestic flights I'll be taking during my stay, including another flight earlier that day connecting into MSP itself. For a number of reasons, including the plans of my travelling companion, getting a through-ticketed itinerary isn't going to be possible. Unfortunately travelling without checked baggage won't work either.
My travel date is a few months away, in May. DL2488 is a 3:25pm departure on an MD-90, arriving PHL at 7:15pm, with BA68 then departing at 10pm, so actually I have 15 mins more than I said, which probably doesn't make much difference.
I will have BA Gold status (OneWorld Emerald), but with baggage I think it'll only really help me with priority check-in/bag drop.
My thinking on this itinerary was that 2 hours 45 should be enough to get off the domestic flight, pick up baggage and get to Terminal A check-in with the usual 2 hours to spare before my flight. But I can see how any incoming delay will substantially impact that.
My alternative itinerary is DL1188, arriving PHL at 1:39pm, connecting to the earlier BA departure BA66 from PHL at 6:10pm. This would give me 4.5hrs, which ought to be plenty and will allow some time to rest up in one of the lounges. But it means a horribly early start, as I'd have to be on a plane into MSP at 6:20am from my actual start point of the day in Montana.
I think, all things considered, I'm going to have to look at the earlier flight and the painful 5am check-in, or some other clever plan.
Thanks again. You've been really helpful. I'll be checking back nearer the time to see what the lounge situation is like a PHL after the 31 March changeover to OneWorld.
Any other thoughts much appreciated!
The itinerary is a weird one, yes. PHL-LHR is the return leg of an ordinary transatlantic booking, which I will have arrived on ten days earlier. The domestic connection from MSP on my return day is just one of several domestic flights I'll be taking during my stay, including another flight earlier that day connecting into MSP itself. For a number of reasons, including the plans of my travelling companion, getting a through-ticketed itinerary isn't going to be possible. Unfortunately travelling without checked baggage won't work either.
My travel date is a few months away, in May. DL2488 is a 3:25pm departure on an MD-90, arriving PHL at 7:15pm, with BA68 then departing at 10pm, so actually I have 15 mins more than I said, which probably doesn't make much difference.
I will have BA Gold status (OneWorld Emerald), but with baggage I think it'll only really help me with priority check-in/bag drop.
My thinking on this itinerary was that 2 hours 45 should be enough to get off the domestic flight, pick up baggage and get to Terminal A check-in with the usual 2 hours to spare before my flight. But I can see how any incoming delay will substantially impact that.
My alternative itinerary is DL1188, arriving PHL at 1:39pm, connecting to the earlier BA departure BA66 from PHL at 6:10pm. This would give me 4.5hrs, which ought to be plenty and will allow some time to rest up in one of the lounges. But it means a horribly early start, as I'd have to be on a plane into MSP at 6:20am from my actual start point of the day in Montana.
I think, all things considered, I'm going to have to look at the earlier flight and the painful 5am check-in, or some other clever plan.
Thanks again. You've been really helpful. I'll be checking back nearer the time to see what the lounge situation is like a PHL after the 31 March changeover to OneWorld.
Any other thoughts much appreciated!
Jan 19, 2014, 7:59 am
#21
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I'd be going with that earlier flight too, but is there anyway you can get out of checking bags? You're flying from what I can tell xxx-MSP-PHL with a checked bag then picking it up to go PHL-LHR, correct? If your first flight is delayed and your bag doesn't make it, where does that leave you? I wouldn't check a bag on a positioning flight for same day travel unless I really, really had to.
Jan 19, 2014, 9:57 am
#22
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald), IHG Platinum Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 12
Thanks again for all the helpful tips.
It's a good point about the positioning flight and what happens if my bags are delayed. I was thinking it's not the end of the world, as long as they reach me in the end. But if they can't complete the journey without me being present to claim and re-check them at PHL, then I'm in trouble.
My start point for the day is Billings, Montana, which has a pretty limited number of flights, and I think that's what's causing me some constraints.
On the plus side, it looks like Delta could interline my baggage from Billings right through to LHR, as Delta seems to have backed down from their plan to stop interlining between separate bookings. BIL-MSP-PHL would have been a single flight ticket.
Anyway, based on all these comments, I'm planning an alternative. I'm going to get out of Billings the previous evening and overnight in Denver. I can then get US481 to PHL, arriving 4:40pm, to leave me over 5hrs before the 10pm BA flight out. If anything, this seems like too much time.
I'm guessing a transfer from US domestic to BA transatlantic might be easier than my original plan, since they're both in Terminal A at PHL.
Some more questions then:
Are US likely to check my bags from Denver right through to London Heathrow, even though it's two separate bookings, but considering both are OneWorld members?
If not, do I still have to go landside at PHL to baggage claim and then bag drop at BA, or are things different now since I'll be arriving and departing Terminal A?
If bags will be checked straight through, should I be aiming for the earlier 6:10pm BA departure, giving me 90 mins to transfer within the same terminal? I'm inclined just to kick back and use the lounge, but I wonder whether on that kind of timeline it would be normal just to push through on the earlier flight.
Thanks again for all the excellent advice so far.
It's a good point about the positioning flight and what happens if my bags are delayed. I was thinking it's not the end of the world, as long as they reach me in the end. But if they can't complete the journey without me being present to claim and re-check them at PHL, then I'm in trouble.
My start point for the day is Billings, Montana, which has a pretty limited number of flights, and I think that's what's causing me some constraints.
On the plus side, it looks like Delta could interline my baggage from Billings right through to LHR, as Delta seems to have backed down from their plan to stop interlining between separate bookings. BIL-MSP-PHL would have been a single flight ticket.
Anyway, based on all these comments, I'm planning an alternative. I'm going to get out of Billings the previous evening and overnight in Denver. I can then get US481 to PHL, arriving 4:40pm, to leave me over 5hrs before the 10pm BA flight out. If anything, this seems like too much time.
I'm guessing a transfer from US domestic to BA transatlantic might be easier than my original plan, since they're both in Terminal A at PHL.
Some more questions then:
Are US likely to check my bags from Denver right through to London Heathrow, even though it's two separate bookings, but considering both are OneWorld members?
If not, do I still have to go landside at PHL to baggage claim and then bag drop at BA, or are things different now since I'll be arriving and departing Terminal A?
If bags will be checked straight through, should I be aiming for the earlier 6:10pm BA departure, giving me 90 mins to transfer within the same terminal? I'm inclined just to kick back and use the lounge, but I wonder whether on that kind of timeline it would be normal just to push through on the earlier flight.
Thanks again for all the excellent advice so far.
Jan 19, 2014, 3:17 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
Thanks again for all the helpful tips.
It's a good point about the positioning flight and what happens if my bags are delayed. I was thinking it's not the end of the world, as long as they reach me in the end. But if they can't complete the journey without me being present to claim and re-check them at PHL, then I'm in trouble.
My start point for the day is Billings, Montana, which has a pretty limited number of flights, and I think that's what's causing me some constraints.
On the plus side, it looks like Delta could interline my baggage from Billings right through to LHR, as Delta seems to have backed down from their plan to stop interlining between separate bookings. BIL-MSP-PHL would have been a single flight ticket.
Anyway, based on all these comments, I'm planning an alternative. I'm going to get out of Billings the previous evening and overnight in Denver. I can then get US481 to PHL, arriving 4:40pm, to leave me over 5hrs before the 10pm BA flight out. If anything, this seems like too much time.
I'm guessing a transfer from US domestic to BA transatlantic might be easier than my original plan, since they're both in Terminal A at PHL.
Some more questions then:
Are US likely to check my bags from Denver right through to London Heathrow, even though it's two separate bookings, but considering both are OneWorld members?
If not, do I still have to go landside at PHL to baggage claim and then bag drop at BA, or are things different now since I'll be arriving and departing Terminal A?
If bags will be checked straight through, should I be aiming for the earlier 6:10pm BA departure, giving me 90 mins to transfer within the same terminal? I'm inclined just to kick back and use the lounge, but I wonder whether on that kind of timeline it would be normal just to push through on the earlier flight.
Thanks again for all the excellent advice so far.
It's a good point about the positioning flight and what happens if my bags are delayed. I was thinking it's not the end of the world, as long as they reach me in the end. But if they can't complete the journey without me being present to claim and re-check them at PHL, then I'm in trouble.
My start point for the day is Billings, Montana, which has a pretty limited number of flights, and I think that's what's causing me some constraints.
On the plus side, it looks like Delta could interline my baggage from Billings right through to LHR, as Delta seems to have backed down from their plan to stop interlining between separate bookings. BIL-MSP-PHL would have been a single flight ticket.
Anyway, based on all these comments, I'm planning an alternative. I'm going to get out of Billings the previous evening and overnight in Denver. I can then get US481 to PHL, arriving 4:40pm, to leave me over 5hrs before the 10pm BA flight out. If anything, this seems like too much time.
I'm guessing a transfer from US domestic to BA transatlantic might be easier than my original plan, since they're both in Terminal A at PHL.
Some more questions then:
Are US likely to check my bags from Denver right through to London Heathrow, even though it's two separate bookings, but considering both are OneWorld members?
If not, do I still have to go landside at PHL to baggage claim and then bag drop at BA, or are things different now since I'll be arriving and departing Terminal A?
If bags will be checked straight through, should I be aiming for the earlier 6:10pm BA departure, giving me 90 mins to transfer within the same terminal? I'm inclined just to kick back and use the lounge, but I wonder whether on that kind of timeline it would be normal just to push through on the earlier flight.
Thanks again for all the excellent advice so far.
I would not rely on US to check the bags all the way through, though perhaps they will for OW partners - I honestly don't know if that's a feature of flying OW partners.
If you're sure Delta can check all the way to LHR, I'd stick with them just to minimize the hassle. Personally I'd still go with BA 68 and perhaps change to the earlier 66 if circumstances allow once physically at PHL assuming BA and your ticket allow that. The BA lounge is quite nice. I fly over to London quite a lot, and prefer either US 728 or BA 68 since they're later departures and it's more likely I can get into my hotel room arriving mid to late morning, but it sounds like you're from London so this might not be a factor for you.
Jan 20, 2014, 6:22 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
I would not rely on US to check the bags all the way through, though perhaps they will for OW partners - I honestly don't know if that's a feature of flying OW partners.
If you're sure Delta can check all the way to LHR, I'd stick with them just to minimize the hassle. Personally I'd still go with BA 68 and perhaps change to the earlier 66 if circumstances allow once physically at PHL assuming BA and your ticket allow that. The BA lounge is quite nice. I fly over to London quite a lot, and prefer either US 728 or BA 68 since they're later departures and it's more likely I can get into my hotel room arriving mid to late morning, but it sounds like you're from London so this might not be a factor for you.
If you're sure Delta can check all the way to LHR, I'd stick with them just to minimize the hassle. Personally I'd still go with BA 68 and perhaps change to the earlier 66 if circumstances allow once physically at PHL assuming BA and your ticket allow that. The BA lounge is quite nice. I fly over to London quite a lot, and prefer either US 728 or BA 68 since they're later departures and it's more likely I can get into my hotel room arriving mid to late morning, but it sounds like you're from London so this might not be a factor for you.
Jan 21, 2014, 8:30 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
I'm surprised I haven't seen this posted anywhere.
Runaway baggage cart crashes into Terminal F gate
Runaway baggage cart crashes into Terminal F gate
Jan 21, 2014, 9:24 am
#26
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,953
Another wonderful PHL service experience yesterday.
Checked in closer to the C checkpoint, no line so didn't bother to find the preferred lane. I had a car seat base in addition to my bag, for which I printed off a tag from the kiosk since I had the allowance. The agent then informs me I need to "take this to oversize." And she pointed to the belt RIGHT NEXT TO HER. I repeated, "That belt, there, right next to you?" and she confirmed. She didn't bother to bag my base as most agents do, and was apparently too lazy to put it on the belt herself. Also apparently too lazy to hand be a bin, as that's how I've seen most GAs at that airport put things on the oversize belt. I thought about looking for a manager on duty, and then decided I really wanted breakfast more than I wanted to complain. However, PHL consistently has the worst attitudes of any US staff anywhere.
Checked in closer to the C checkpoint, no line so didn't bother to find the preferred lane. I had a car seat base in addition to my bag, for which I printed off a tag from the kiosk since I had the allowance. The agent then informs me I need to "take this to oversize." And she pointed to the belt RIGHT NEXT TO HER. I repeated, "That belt, there, right next to you?" and she confirmed. She didn't bother to bag my base as most agents do, and was apparently too lazy to put it on the belt herself. Also apparently too lazy to hand be a bin, as that's how I've seen most GAs at that airport put things on the oversize belt. I thought about looking for a manager on duty, and then decided I really wanted breakfast more than I wanted to complain. However, PHL consistently has the worst attitudes of any US staff anywhere.
Jan 22, 2014, 12:55 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,953
I have, but only connecting on a UA flight 
I lived in south jersey for a long time, but never close enough to warrant EWR over PHL. I actually like the PHL airport experience for many reasons, just not US employees (or the lack of airside walk to/from F). I'd probably hate it if I didn't have pre-check, though, as the C checkpoint line has gotten out of control lately.
PHL has had consistently awful US employees. Shockingly, at least for me, 2nd place has been SAN. The only good experience I've had at that airport (flying US) has been my last trip. I'm not much of a complainer and I don't really say anything about it because I care more about pretty much anything else in the world than spending more time at the airport, but those have just been my observations.
FWIW, the "best" for me have been DCA (esp. the Shuttle checkin and center pier lounge), PHX (even the lounge dragons are really nice) and here at home - PWM.
I lived in south jersey for a long time, but never close enough to warrant EWR over PHL. I actually like the PHL airport experience for many reasons, just not US employees (or the lack of airside walk to/from F). I'd probably hate it if I didn't have pre-check, though, as the C checkpoint line has gotten out of control lately.PHL has had consistently awful US employees. Shockingly, at least for me, 2nd place has been SAN. The only good experience I've had at that airport (flying US) has been my last trip. I'm not much of a complainer and I don't really say anything about it because I care more about pretty much anything else in the world than spending more time at the airport, but those have just been my observations.
FWIW, the "best" for me have been DCA (esp. the Shuttle checkin and center pier lounge), PHX (even the lounge dragons are really nice) and here at home - PWM.
Jan 22, 2014, 5:32 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
A US guide to PHL (The Philadelphia airport)
You dislike PHL due to lack if airside connection to terminal F but you rate DCA as the "best"? DCA connections between piers is among the worst of any airport! Up and down metal stairs in bad weather to get to the bus? At least at PHL the steps are indoors to prevent accidents in bad weather.
Jan 22, 2014, 6:02 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PWM/MHT/BOS
Programs: UA (lame duck)1K, US Plat,HHonors Diamond, PC Plat, SPG Plat, MR Platinum
Posts: 605
I'm surprised I haven't seen this posted anywhere.
Runaway baggage cart crashes into Terminal F gate
Runaway baggage cart crashes into Terminal F gate