Oct 10, 2013, 9:54 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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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

It is a good idea to verify which gate your flight is operating from before arriving. Generally you can assume the following:

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

Kiosks are provided in the connector bridges between the parking garages and TSA Checkpoints at A-East, B, C, and F. There are also kiosks available by most AA gates. Mobile boarding passes for AA are accepted at all checkpoints.

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

Notes: International Arrivals following the connecting flights path will be directed to the A-East Checkpoint. If you have PreCheck, you may need to exit that queue and proceed to the far left, as you face the checkpoint, for TSA PreCheck access. Generally, if a checkpoint does not have full PreCheck available, you will get PreCheck Light, meaning you will have to remove liquids and laptops from your bag but will be able to pass through the metal detectors with shoes on as in a PreCheck checkpoint.

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

Note: The shuttles at A1 and C16 only serve Terminal F. It is not necessary to reclear TSA when using shuttles.

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.

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Nov 6, 2021, 4:21 pm

#1711

jimmyz1

Join Date: Jul 2011

Posts: 131

There is a big problem brewing w phl on site parking.... they are not planning on reopening the economy lot and as more and more people are flying I find myself circling the lots.... I fear it's just gonna get worse

MASTERNC likes this.

Nov 6, 2021, 6:29 pm

#1712

jimchic

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgahat

Why not park at the PHL garage? Isn't about $16/day if parking more than a few days? Not being critical, just wondering. I can travel out of PHL, BWI or DCA about as easy. My few trips out of PHL last year was surprisingly pleasant parking wise, used the garage parking.

For me, it's simple: The garages don't offer Reservations. With the economy lot now gone, those displaced customers will now head to the garages first.

MASTERNC likes this.

Nov 6, 2021, 7:04 pm

#1713

mcgahat

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: W29

Programs: It's Complicated...

Posts: 6,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimchic

For me, it's simple: The garages don't offer Reservations. With the economy lot now gone, those displaced customers will now head to the garages first.

Yes. Now that I think about it.....that is a good point. I have been parking at PHL during the pandemic so their hasn't been a problem with spaces. Particularly in the A parking area where I am typically parking. I can imagine with travel on the increase and no economy lot that will put a strain on the garage and guessing that attractive rates will go by the wayside.

jimchic likes this.

Nov 14, 2021, 12:09 am

#1714

deebee7

Join Date: May 2017

Posts: 29

I'm missing the MCT at PHL in the wiki? Looking for MCT international to domestic (arriving 1:20pm on a saturday from AMS in april and departing 3:20pm for MCO. No global entry, 2 kids in tow and checked luggage). Tickets are booked already just wondering if 2 hours will be enough. (both AA flights but booked through Iberia)

Nov 14, 2021, 5:18 am

#1715

mcgahat

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: W29

Programs: It's Complicated...

Posts: 6,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by deebee7

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE .40 1.30 1.30 1.30
OFFLINE .40 1.30 1.30 1.30

If your flight arrives on time, you "should" be fine. Who knows how crazy travel will or will not be in April though.

Nov 14, 2021, 7:08 am

#1716

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,495

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgahat

That is not the correct way to read the MCT table. The "standard" MCT's are typically irrelevant as there are almost always airline and flight specific MCT's that override this.

In this case the AA to AA international to domestic MCT at PHL is 1:10. So OP, with 2:00 to connect, you have almost double the MCT. Really nothing to worry about, folks make that kind of connection every day, even without GE and with kids, etc.

Quote:

AA-AA ID 1.10

Nov 14, 2021, 10:45 am

#1717

deebee7

Join Date: May 2017

Posts: 29

Thanks so much for clarifying that for me! I also found historic data tool and compared it to april 2019 on a saturday (several saturdays of april 2019). And I must say it got me more worried. Max waiting time just to clear immigration was 71 minutes. That is without disembarking, clearing customs, getting baggage and rechecking and making our way to the new gate. So i'm pleasantly surprised that the comments here are more positive.

Nov 14, 2021, 11:41 am

#1718

mcgahat

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: W29

Programs: It's Complicated...

Posts: 6,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by deebee7

I am assuming you are traveling for spring break? That can be interesting depending on timing of flights and if people pump up the volume on intl travel, which I think will happen. I dont think the MCT is as much of a factor as luck in those situations. If multiple flights all come in at the same time and slam immigration and baggage etc...nothing you can do about it. Again, normal times you should be fine. Are you on separate tickets or one ticket for your itinerary? For some reason I assumed two.

Nov 14, 2021, 12:01 pm

#1719

deebee7

Join Date: May 2017

Posts: 29

We are travelling on saturday 2nd april.(arrival 1pm) No idea if that is spring break in the US. 1 ticket all the way through.

Nov 21, 2021, 11:16 am

#1720

MASTERNC

Join Date: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,138

I’m at PHL right now while my fiancée does a GE interview. The message signs on the highways closer to the airport all earn of the economy lot closure. I went through arrivals and then to the cell phone lot so I could not check on the parking situation. That said, there were short term spaces on the ground level near A West. Arrivals road was a mess, as would be expected.

Dec 7, 2021, 6:30 pm

#1721

artemis908

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 66

I'm flying BA out of A West - I have TSA precheck, Would it be worth to walk to a A East or even C for precheck or is it not worth the walk and time spent to get there?

Dec 7, 2021, 7:15 pm

#1722

fatmac70

Join Date: Sep 2005

Location: Philly

Programs: AA, BA, NH, TP

Posts: 743

Quote:

Originally Posted by artemis908

I'm flying BA out of A West - I have TSA precheck, Would it be worth to walk to a A East or even C for precheck or is it not worth the walk and time spent to get there?

Are you planning to visit the AA lounge before the flight - BA lounge is currently closed. The AA club is between B & C and therefore C Pre-Check maybe viable - are you checking luggage and even hand baggage only you may have to go to BA check-in for a doc check if so A East Pre-check maybe better.

Dec 7, 2021, 8:23 pm

#1723

LlamaJesus

Join Date: Jan 2021

Posts: 264

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if they're checking luggage they'll need to drop it at A-West first anyway, right? In that case, IMO not worth it to then walk over to A-East just for precheck. Why is there no precheck in A-West anyway? Not sure I'd realized that (or had forgotten, anyway) since out of habit I go through the precheck only security in C 99% of the time.

Jan 31, 2022, 8:27 am

#1724

PHLondoner

Join Date: Feb 2014

Location: PHL, LHR

Posts: 219

Anyone know if the TSA PreCheck is back open at Terminal A? Last time I flew through A in mid-November it was closed for some ungodly reason and I was forced to either wait in a crazy long line or hoof it all the way over to Terminal C….

Jan 31, 2022, 10:30 am

#1725

LlamaJesus

Join Date: Jan 2021

Posts: 264

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHLondoner

Not super recent but I know it was open the week between Christmas and New Years. But I think the security lines are all a bit YMMV due to staffing issues though. The precheck only line at C was closed when I tried to go through at ~630pm the other day even though I think it's normally open until 8pm (which is what a sign I just saw there indicated as well), and is apparently only open until noon right now, according to the website - https://www.phl.org/flights/security...eckpoint-hours. Anecdotally, there seems to be a lot more action in A East and West over the last 2-3 months than at any other point in the pandemic so I think it'll likely be open.