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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Dec 27, 2023, 9:22 am

#1966

CMTinPHL

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: PHL

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 540

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmcpsu

I haven't heard that term before. What does it mean?

One without status in a program. I believe it comes from the use of metals / gems as status level. One with “cardboard” is one without status, i.e. just a regular member.

Dec 27, 2023, 12:20 pm

#1967

LBBflyer

Join Date: Apr 2018

Location: Louisville, KY, US

Programs: AAdvantage Gold, National Executive, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold

Posts: 104

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMTinPHL

1:40 should be plenty of time with GE and no checked bags. In the unlikely case the MAD flight is delayed before takeoff, I would be proactive (while in MAD or in the air) and try to rebook through DCA / CLT - or, if you are EXP, have AA book you on one of the DCA / CLT routes while protecting you on the original PHL-XXX flight as well.

Edit: looks like you are “cardboard” AAdvantage, so AA probably will not book a backup itinerary while protecting you on the original… but my advice stands. 1:40 should be enough, but if it looks like MAD-PHL is delayed then ask AA to book you on PHL-DCA/CLT-SFA.

Thanks for the input. I should update my profile. I am AA Gold and one of my companions on this flight will be Plat. A long ways from EXP, but should that make me feel any better?

Dec 27, 2023, 12:42 pm

#1968

CMTinPHL

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: PHL

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 540

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBBflyer

Thanks for the input. I should update my profile. I am AA Gold and one of my companions on this flight will be Plat. A long ways from EXP, but should that make me feel any better?

Not sure if AA will protect a second itinerary as a Gold or Plat. I know from personal experience as an EXP that AA will book me on a later flight (keeping the original as well) if it looks like a misconnect is likely. In the event that the MAD-PHL flight is delayed, it can’t hurt to ask. Even without status AA sometimes will be proactive and if a misconnect is likely it will rebook you on the later / connecting itinerary. It just won’t keep the original itinerary as well. If you somehow wind up making up time and getting through immigration quickly, you can always ask at the AA counter after immigration to put you back on the earlier flight.

As I said above and JJeffrey as well - 1:40 is doable. Though PHL is my home airport and I rarely connect there, I have in the past flown LHR-PHL-LAX/SFO and made 45 minute connections. Though those were T A-West to A-East or B/C - you’ll be going to F (there is a shuttle). I wouldn’t recommend a 45 minute connection (I don’t think AA allows it) in your case, but it worked for me. I also have a place to stay if it doesn’t.

Last edited by CMTinPHL; Dec 27, 2023 at 12:51 pm Reason: Added info…

Feb 4, 2024, 3:06 pm

#1969

HofstraJet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Location: CLT

Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond

Posts: 1,133

AA is suggesting a 51 minute connection CLT-PHL-YUL. Looks like the first comes in to A/B and the outbound is from F. Seems like a very tight connection given the distance. Thoughts?

Feb 4, 2024, 4:26 pm

#1970

CMTinPHL

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: PHL

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 540

Quote:

Originally Posted by HofstraJet

AA is suggesting a 51 minute connection CLT-PHL-YUL. Looks like the first comes in to A/B and the outbound is from F. Seems like a very tight connection given the distance. Thoughts?

It’s doable, but if the flight from CLT is delayed at all it may mean a misconnect. I wouldn’t recommend it if you are catching the second (and last) flight of the day to YUL. Unless you don’t mind spending a night in Philly.

Feb 4, 2024, 5:24 pm

#1971

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,483

Quote:

Originally Posted by HofstraJet

AA is suggesting a 51 minute connection CLT-PHL-YUL. Looks like the first comes in to A/B and the outbound is from F. Seems like a very tight connection given the distance. Thoughts?

While it's certainly tight I really wouldn't worry, on time and you're fine. This is one of those connections where if you're sitting at CLT and the flight to PHL gets even slightly delayed then just get rebooked straight from CLT, either on one of the nonstops or via LGA, etc.

And CLT would likely arrive into B or C, although A is sometimes possible. Plus PHL-YUL is mostly operated by ERJ-145's so boarding won't start until ~20 mins before departure, with all carry-on's gate checked, so there's no need to be at the gate on onboard early.

patmcpsu likes this.

Mar 11, 2024, 3:51 pm

#1972

celfan

Join Date: May 2017

Posts: 13

Question about Connection Time, domestic to international

This is probably a painfully simple question . We have tickets on American Airlines between Burlington Vermont and Zurich. We are traveling From Burlington to Philadelphia and then flying nonstop to Zurich. Our original flight had a five hour layover in Philadelphia but we were changed to a flight with a layover of one hour and six minutes. I called American and told them I wasn't comfortable with such a short layover on an international flight and I was put back on the original flight. This morning I received an email saying we were put back on the flight with the short layover. I don't know why they switched again, I didn't even bother to see if the other flight was cancelled. I was concerned about the layover time thinking that we might have to go through customs or some other time consuming process before flying out of the country, but I guess I really don't know.

So I realize an hour is a short layover for any flight whether domestic or international, but am I going to get on the plane in Philly like I would for any domestic flight and then deal with all the paperwork in Zurich? Or is there going to be a time consuming process in Philadelphia also?

Thank you

Mar 11, 2024, 3:57 pm

#1973

guv1976

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Not here; there!

Programs: AA Lifetime Gold

Posts: 29,588

Quote:

Originally Posted by celfan

So I realize an hour is a short layover for any flight whether domestic or international, but am I going to get on the plane in Philly like I would for any domestic flight and then deal with all the paperwork in Zurich?

Yes.

If you should mis-connect due to a delay on your BTV-PHL flight, it will be AA's responsibility to re-route you (perhaps requiring an additional connection in London or Madrid).

Edited to add: Note that your BTV-PHL flight will likely arrive at Terminal F; your PHL-ZRH flight will depart from a different terminal. AA offers complimentary bus service from Terminal F to the other terminals AA serves. The bus ride takes about ten minutes.

StartinSanDiego likes this.

Last edited by guv1976; Mar 11, 2024 at 4:03 pm

Mar 11, 2024, 5:02 pm

#1974

Mwenenzi

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: MEL CHC

Posts: 21,029

Quote:

Originally Posted by celfan

..... I didn't even bother to see if the other flight was cancelled. I was concerned about the layover time thinking that we might have to go through customs or some other time consuming process before flying out of the country, but I guess I really don't know......

USA does not have any exit formalities. Customs is only on arrival into a country. You may need process a security check for the terminal change (unsure).

I would contact AA again. Have you checked if both flights are operating?
When are the flights? Days/weeks/months away.

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

Mar 11, 2024, 5:06 pm

#1975

guv1976

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Not here; there!

Programs: AA Lifetime Gold

Posts: 29,588

No security check when changing terminals at PHL -- unless one opts to go landside. There are walkways and the AA connecting buses at PHL which are airside.

Mar 11, 2024, 8:35 pm

#1976

rove312

Join Date: Jul 2001

Posts: 3,975

Maybe someone can report what AA's current rules are about being available to board a certain time (30 minutes?) before international departure, and what leeway they give if they know a passenger is making a connection.

Mar 12, 2024, 6:29 am

#1977

lowfareair

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Philadelphia

Posts: 2,508

Quote:

Originally Posted by guv1976

Looking at the schedule, OP is almost certainly arriving on an A319 based on the connection timings he gave and doing a quick cross-check of the schedule. celfan , if you are on an A319 (or A320/321/737), you will most likely arrive in Terminal B or C with a tiny chance of arriving in A. Depending on your arrival and departure gates, it will be up to a 10 minute walk using the travelators for someone of average mobility power walking to their connection. You should be fine, but I do recommend using the AA app to see where you need to go on your connection - on your main screen for either flight you should see a "PHL Map" option and you can then input in the two gates to see how to get between them (AA should, but not always, offer the directions proactively when you land in PHL). Keep in mind the timings they give in the directions are geared towards the absolute slowest traveler and assumes a speed of under 2 mph (Google maps gives 3mph by comparison).

Mar 28, 2024, 10:00 pm

#1978

balthus

Join Date: Jul 2005

Posts: 141

Hi - Is the Marriott the only on airport hotel? We will be dropping off rental car on a Thursday afternoon, need to stay that night and fly out Friday morning. Will we be able to get hotel shuttle to pick us up at rental car facility or will we need to take rental shuttle to airport and then get form airport to hotel? It says you have to walk across a skybridge to get to/from Terminal B/Marriott. Traveling with someone with mobility issues and luggage. What level/floor in hotel is skybridge? I think our flight will depart from Terminal C on Friday morning so if we need to check luggage we would have to g out and through security again? Or best to take hotel shuttle? Kind of convoluted and trying to insure we have no snags on Thursday and leaving on Friday morning. TIA.

Mar 28, 2024, 10:23 pm

#1979

bc25

Join Date: Mar 2022

Location: PHL

Posts: 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by balthus

The Marriott is the only on airport hotel. I don't know if Marriott can pick you up from the rental car facility, but you can take the rental car company's shuttle to Terminal B and just walk across the bridge to the Marriott. The bridge is on the departures level, upstairs from the check in hall. Security will be on your left, turn right instead to head towards the hotel. I don't know what level of the hotel the bridge connects to, but I'm sure they have elevators. If you are flying American the next morning, you can check in and check bags at Terminal B no matter which terminal your flight is leaving from. In fact, Terminals B and C actually share a check-in hall. You will then go through security (Use Terminal B if you don't have Pre-Check or Terminal C if you do). After security, you can access any terminal within the airport. Keep in mind that AA flights leave from terminals A-West, A-East, B, C, and F (American Eagle E-145s, CRJ-200s, CRJ-700s and CRJ-900s). Once past security, you can find myself or one of the other volunteers or staff members at a information desk, and we are happy to help you in person. Let me know if you are not flying American, if you have any other questions, or if something is not clear so I can help you better. Enjoy your trip!

balthus and sushanna1 like this.

Mar 29, 2024, 4:45 am

#1980

CMTinPHL

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: PHL

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 540

Quote:

Originally Posted by balthus

The Marriott is the only airport hotel attached to the hotel. It does not have a shuttle service (that I am aware of) because it is connected by the Terminal B skybridge. There are other nearby hotels that do offer shuttles, but you cannot walk from them to the terminals as you can when staying at the Marriott. You will need to take a rental car shuttle back to the terminal, unless you want to play Frogger and dodge traffic and cross an access road to get back to the hotel.

balthus likes this.