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AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc.

Old Oct 10, 2013, 9:54 am
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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 Im 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.
Print Wikipost

AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc.

Old Aug 2, 2022, 5:08 am
  #1786  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
Originally Posted by footballfanatic
Is there any dining pre-security?
Short answer: no

If you want to get technical: there's some food stalls (i.e. hot dogs, soft pretzels) in the baggage claim areas. You could also visit the hotel restaurant at the Marriott near the Terminal B baggage claim.
patmcpsu is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2022, 6:54 pm
  #1787  
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: UA DL
Posts: 3
scheduled to land from VCE to PHL at 315pm. Need to fly back to Europe on a different itinerary the same day.

Would I be able to clear immigration, get bags and make a 1806 flight form PHL To DUB?

Have global entry and pre check. 1 checked bag, 1 carry on solo traveler
livesupinsmoke is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2022, 9:03 pm
  #1788  
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Posts: 12,362
Originally Posted by livesupinsmoke
scheduled to land from VCE to PHL at 315pm. Need to fly back to Europe on a different itinerary the same day.

Would I be able to clear immigration, get bags and make a 1806 flight form PHL To DUB?

Have global entry and pre check. 1 checked bag, 1 carry on solo traveler
Shouldn't be any problem.
JJeffrey is offline  
Old Aug 23, 2022, 10:53 am
  #1789  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
Just keep in mind, due to "staffing" there is currently only full-prechk at checkpoint C and D/E. You should be able to receive "light" prechck at the A checkpoints.

(Following the paths, you wind up at the A-East checkpoint)

If your outbound is on a carrier other than AA (or I think Aer Lingus) baggage check will be in A-West.

But, overall yes - should be doable.
Flyer78 is offline  
Old Aug 25, 2022, 5:43 pm
  #1790  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,391
AA ticketed LAX-PHL-ZRH with layover time of 37 min at PHL.

Am I going to make it? I will probably just have 1 carryon luggage. I'm thinking this may be problematic if I have to switch terminal.

AA608 LAX-PHL arrive 6:52 PM (Flightaware says average delay of 40min to 1 hour)
AA92 PHL-ZRH depart 7:29 PM

It was booked by a bot that work made me use... I wouldn't have booked it like this myself
bzcat is offline  
Old Aug 25, 2022, 5:49 pm
  #1791  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,020
Originally Posted by bzcat
AA ticketed LAX-PHL-ZRH with layover time of 37 min at PHL.

Am I going to make it? I will probably just have 1 carryon luggage. I'm thinking this may be problematic if I have to switch terminal.

AA608 LAX-PHL arrive 6:52 PM (Flightaware says average delay of 40min to 1 hour)
AA92 PHL-ZRH depart 7:29 PM

It was booked by a bot that work made me use... I wouldn't have booked it like this myself
Your PHL-ZRH flight will already be boarding by the time you land (assuming you're on time). From LAX, you may land in terminals A, B or C. Your Zurich flight will definitely be in A. If you can move well, it'll take about 10-15 minutes if you end up being the furthest gates apart. Plus, if you're not in the front of the plane, it'll take time to deplane. I think it's pretty risky, but if everything is on time (or early) on your first flight, you have a decent chance of making it.
GNRMatt is offline  
Old Aug 26, 2022, 12:27 pm
  #1792  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,497
Originally Posted by bzcat
AA ticketed LAX-PHL-ZRH with layover time of 37 min at PHL.

Am I going to make it? I will probably just have 1 carryon luggage. I'm thinking this may be problematic if I have to switch terminal.

AA608 LAX-PHL arrive 6:52 PM (Flightaware says average delay of 40min to 1 hour)
AA92 PHL-ZRH depart 7:29 PM

It was booked by a bot that work made me use... I wouldn't have booked it like this myself
Keep in mind there are 2 flights to LHR that depart after the ZRH flight so you may be able to get rebooked on those and connect to ZRH. Also, if your LAX-PHL flight is delayed to the point you will likely miss the connection and are still in the terminal, go to customer service and try to get rebooked on one of the LAX-LHR-ZRH.

Finally, there should be 1-2 LAX-PHL flights before yours, you can always try to standby/confirm on those and give yourself a longer connection.
lowfareair is offline  
Old Aug 26, 2022, 12:34 pm
  #1793  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,391
I have a paid J ticket so I will be in front of the plane LAX-PHL. I guess the connection is legal otherwise AA wouldn't ticket.

Called AA to try to switch to an earlier LAX-PHL flight but the agent said she can only book me in coach for LAX-PHL on the earlier flight (for more money!) even though I can see front cabin inventory on Expertflyer. Very strange. I guess it has something to do with the ticketing class on the TATL portion. I will just stick with it for now.

My exact routing is bookable on AA.com too with 37 min connection. In fact, it is the first choice. I thought maybe the bot joined some illegal hidden city pair to get this routing with short connection time but evidently it is just a regular published AA schedule.

Last edited by bzcat; Aug 26, 2022 at 12:40 pm
bzcat is offline  
Old Aug 26, 2022, 1:47 pm
  #1794  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,020
Originally Posted by bzcat
My exact routing is bookable on AA.com too with 37 min connection. In fact, it is the first choice. I thought maybe the bot joined some illegal hidden city pair to get this routing with short connection time but evidently it is just a regular published AA schedule.
Unfortunately, 37 minutes is a "legal" connection. AA seems to be offering many of these connections that require everything to go absolutely perfectly for people to make their flights. I would think having so many misconnects would cause them problems and money, but apparently either that is incorrect or the people who come up with these don't speak to the areas that have to deal with the misconnects. Either way, a "legal" connection doesn't make it a "sensible" connection. I truly hope it all works out for you, but definitely have backup plans ready in case they don't.
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GNRMatt is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2022, 4:59 am
  #1795  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
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Posts: 1,136
Originally Posted by GNRMatt
Unfortunately, 37 minutes is a "legal" connection. AA seems to be offering many of these connections that require everything to go absolutely perfectly for people to make their flights. I would think having so many misconnects would cause them problems and money, but apparently either that is incorrect or the people who come up with these don't speak to the areas that have to deal with the misconnects. Either way, a "legal" connection doesn't make it a "sensible" connection. I truly hope it all works out for you, but definitely have backup plans ready in case they don't.
Totally agree on the backup plan front and proactively monitoring the two segments.

What Ive noticed this year in particular is that they will hold flights a tad (one a day or last flights out) to allow for connecting passengers to make connections.

Im usually fine with tight connections (currently on a 48 minute connection at LAX that will probably come down to the wire), but this one is a bit much for me! Good luck.
ryanbriar is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2022, 3:43 am
  #1796  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Wife has three hours at PHL today, arriving international at noon and leaving on a puddle jumper from F. She has GE and thus PreCheck, plus will have AC access - what's the best plan for her? Sounds like Pre is still only at C...? Any preference on AC to visit...?
etiene is online now  
Old Aug 31, 2022, 9:18 am
  #1797  
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 855
Originally Posted by etiene
Wife has three hours at PHL today, arriving international at noon and leaving on a puddle jumper from F. She has GE and thus PreCheck, plus will have AC access - what's the best plan for her? Sounds like Pre is still only at C...? Any preference on AC to visit...?
Right now, there are only two AC locations at PHL. The first is between terminals B/C and the other is in the regional F terminal.

Theres also a Centurion in terminal A, if she has the AMEX Plat.
FlyFreakquently is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2022, 8:06 pm
  #1798  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,123
Originally Posted by GNRMatt
Unfortunately, 37 minutes is a "legal" connection. AA seems to be offering many of these connections that require everything to go absolutely perfectly for people to make their flights. I would think having so many misconnects would cause them problems and money, but apparently either that is incorrect or the people who come up with these don't speak to the areas that have to deal with the misconnects. Either way, a "legal" connection doesn't make it a "sensible" connection. I truly hope it all works out for you, but definitely have backup plans ready in case they don't.
Things usually go perfectly enough to make these connections, so they may not "cost' as much as you think. This connection would stress me out too, but I would choose it over an extra couple of hours in PHL unless arriving on time was critical.
Aliquot is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2022, 8:14 pm
  #1799  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
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Posts: 7,540
Originally Posted by Aliquot;[url=tel:34562510
34562510]Things usually go perfectly enough to make these connections, so they may not "cost' as much as you think. This connection would stress me out too, but I would choose it over an extra couple of hours in PHL unless arriving on time was critical.
This is just a tough airport to connect into Its probably my least favorite because of the potential distance between gates, especially from domestic to international. But the longest walk is probably 20 minutes or so Not fun with carry-on bags, etc. but manageable if your plane arrives on time.

But it sounds like AA has probably studied the science of Just in time practices so that checked baggage can make it within these time constraints.

The biggest issue that the airline cant do anything about and that makes the whole thing a big risk is that this kind of connection requires an on-time arrival. Thats a crapshoot.
nologic is offline  
Old Sep 12, 2022, 2:32 am
  #1800  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,391
Originally Posted by bzcat
AA ticketed LAX-PHL-ZRH with layover time of 37 min at PHL.

Am I going to make it? I will probably just have 1 carryon luggage. I'm thinking this may be problematic if I have to switch terminal.

AA608 LAX-PHL arrive 6:52 PM (Flightaware says average delay of 40min to 1 hour)
AA92 PHL-ZRH depart 7:29 PM

It was booked by a bot that work made me use... I wouldn't have booked it like this myself
I figure I post an update in case anyone reads this thread in the future...

Inbound AA608 arrived 5 min early. I got the AA app notification that boarding started on AA92 while we were on final approach to PHL.

I was in F on inbound flight so got off the plane right away. Arrival gate was B7 and departure gate was A23... if you know PHL, you know that is the end of B and A West piers... in another word, it is a pretty long walk which I did it in about 15 min.

Reached A23 as they were boarding Group 6 and the flight actually pushed back on time. I only had carry on so I wasn't worried about luggage but chances are if I had checked bags it wouldn't have made it because I saw that the cargo doors already closed on the 787 when I walked up to the gate.

I had good weather at both ends and no flight delays - basically everything that had to happen for me to make the connection happened. But I wouldn't recommend it for any novice or nervous fliers.
lowfareair, CMTinPHL and ryanbriar like this.
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