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.
May 26, 2009, 1:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Chick-Fil-A Red, Wawa, Red Cross blood donor
Posts: 4,824
AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc.
The original post content has been updated and moved to the wiki post.
The original post can be read in the archive of 2013 and prior years' posts here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...rport-lus.html
Our thanks to bitburgr for starting this important thread and contributing the extensive seminal information.
American Airlines | AAdvantage forum moderation team
The original post can be read in the archive of 2013 and prior years' posts here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...rport-lus.html
Our thanks to bitburgr for starting this important thread and contributing the extensive seminal information.
American Airlines | AAdvantage forum moderation team
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 8, 2015 at 3:06 pm Reason: Move content to wiki, archive older posts, add mod note
Jan 2, 2014, 2:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
• A 1,500ft extension of runway 9L-27R that increases the total runway length to 12,000ft, providing the capability to accommodate large, long-haul aircraft flying to any point on the globe
• A redesigned and enhanced Terminal B and C ticketing area, which will include an automated baggage handling and screening system and a more spacious, centralised passenger security screening checkpoint to provide for greater efficiency and enhanced passenger flow
• Replacement of the current rental car facility surface lots with a multi-story consolidated rental car facility
• An initial design for an automated people-mover system between concourses that will make it easier for passengers to connect to other flights
• Airside improvements to include new taxiway/aircraft holding bays/apron to better queue for departure
• Continued rehabilitation of other existing airport infrastructure projects, including security upgrades, roof and window replacements, escalator upgrades, airport restrooms, roadways, concession programs and flight information display systems.
At the same time the above was agreed, US and the airport extended their lease agreement to June 30, 2015. I don't believe the above can be dismissed, except in Bankruptcy.
The ? is, what are the new AA's future plans for PHL and how will that affect further funding committments (by Parker) ?
For example, do A-West and A-East have sufficient gate space to support significant international expansion? A while back, the city proposed to expand A-West by decreasing gate seperation and/or extending the end of the terminal to the existing south hanger, which I believe was the old TWA hanger. Of course now with the merged US/AA, it would possibly be easier to just make A-East an all new (AA) terminal and connect all (unconnected) gates to the CIS.
Jan 11, 2014, 8:14 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
Enough connection time in PHL
I am looking at booking a flight from BWI to CUN for this April. I was hoping you guys here could give me some advice on the connection time. The flight will layover in PHL on the way to CUN. The flight I was considering has a 48 minute connection. Do you guys think this would be enough time to connect from domestic to international at PHL airport?
Jan 11, 2014, 9:41 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott LTT + Ambassador
Posts: 79
I am looking at booking a flight from BWI to CUN for this April. I was hoping you guys here could give me some advice on the connection time. The flight will layover in PHL on the way to CUN. The flight I was considering has a 48 minute connection. Do you guys think this would be enough time to connect from domestic to international at PHL airport?
Jan 11, 2014, 10:17 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
The only other option I have is a 3 1/2 layover. I would really hate to sit in the airport for hours and hours if not needed. But I hate to pick a layover that is to tight and I miss my flight. I am not sure what to pick.
Jan 11, 2014, 2:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
You aren't alone (loving PHL as home base). Three clubs. I can get nearly anywhere in 2 flights or less, most places in one, and some pretty small places (through F). Many kinds of good food to eat before an outbound. If it was more robust to WX and the parking indicators worked better in the garages I'd be thrilled.
Jan 11, 2014, 6:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
I wish the parking roadway had a scoreboard of spaces available, before turning into one of the garages. Yeah, the counts can be waaaay off, but sometimes it would be nice to know C D E/F are full before passing B...
Jan 13, 2014, 10:18 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,229
Thanks. Is there any way to find out ahead of time what terminal the flight will land in?
The only other option I have is a 3 1/2 layover. I would really hate to sit in the airport for hours and hours if not needed. But I hate to pick a layover that is to tight and I miss my flight. I am not sure what to pick.
The only other option I have is a 3 1/2 layover. I would really hate to sit in the airport for hours and hours if not needed. But I hate to pick a layover that is to tight and I miss my flight. I am not sure what to pick.
I would recommend the 3.5hr option.. particularly if that is the only flight to CUN of the day or it is very important to get there on time.
Jan 13, 2014, 11:07 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
Coming from BWI, I assume you are on an express carrier and will almost certainly land in F. It is doable, but keep in mind boarding will start at least 30 minutes before. You will need to wait for the shuttle from the F terminal, take a short ride, then it still could take another 5 minutes to get to the gate.
I would recommend the 3.5hr option.. particularly if that is the only flight to CUN of the day or it is very important to get there on time.
I would recommend the 3.5hr option.. particularly if that is the only flight to CUN of the day or it is very important to get there on time.
Thanks for the advice.So I decided to add a extra day to my vacation and I will be leaving a day earlier. I have a few more options on flights and would everyone's thoughts on which one to choose.
We have the choice for the flight there to be:
layover in PHL for 65 minutes to arrive in Cancun at 10:45am
layover in CTL for 1 hr and 20 minutes to arrive in Cancun 11:40 am
I wouldn't mind being in cancun almost a hour earlier but I don't know if this is enough time in PHL. Out of those two which one do you guys recommend?
We were thinking about picking a flight to return home with a layover in CTL of 2 hours. Do you guys think that will be enough time to clear everything? There was another option of layover in PHL for 2 1/2 hours. Do you guys think one airport is easier to deal with then another?
Thanks for all the advice of everyone here
Jan 13, 2014, 11:59 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
Just as a heads up, and sorry to complicate things; There are some flights BWI and PHL that use bigger equipment (I think there is even an A319). These flights will land in AE, B or C - I have seen them at each pier. When you book, pay attention to what equipment type... The Dash-8 will certainly park at F.
Jan 13, 2014, 12:39 pm
#14
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
Jan 13, 2014, 2:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
Coming from BWI, I assume you are on an express carrier and will almost certainly land in F. It is doable, but keep in mind boarding will start at least 30 minutes before. You will need to wait for the shuttle from the F terminal, take a short ride, then it still could take another 5 minutes to get to the gate.
I would recommend the 3.5hr option.. particularly if that is the only flight to CUN of the day or it is very important to get there on time.
I would recommend the 3.5hr option.. particularly if that is the only flight to CUN of the day or it is very important to get there on time.
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?