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.
Jun 9, 2015, 10:29 pm
#466
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
Unless you are already award ticketed through PHL, there are more flights to MCI from CLT than PHL, including a good connection from the FCO-CLT flight to US1975 CLT-MCI - LV CLT 1950 Ar MCI 2111. The risk is that CLT-FCO will not operate in 2016.
Jun 12, 2015, 8:25 pm
#468
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
For Saturday 12th Dec we will have just 1 hour to change the flight in PHL so we are worried about it.
Our question is, since all the flights are provided by US Airways and we are going out US, do you think we will have to stop a lot for customs reasons? Furthermore, do you thing can we send the baggages from MCO to FCO directly without taking them in PHL and checking in them again in PHL?
Thanks a lot in advance for your support!
Marcello from Cagliari (Italy)
Our question is, since all the flights are provided by US Airways and we are going out US, do you think we will have to stop a lot for customs reasons? Furthermore, do you thing can we send the baggages from MCO to FCO directly without taking them in PHL and checking in them again in PHL?
Thanks a lot in advance for your support!
Marcello from Cagliari (Italy)
The United States doesn't have exit immigration. That return flight, MCO-PHL-FCO, with 1 hour in PHL should be ok. It's likely that the MCO-PHL flight will land in Terminal B/C, which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the A-West terminal where the FCO flight will depart from. Other than the walk, it's going to be pretty similar to a domestic connection within the US. You won't have to re-clear security or do any kind of passport control at PHL. Your bags can be checked through from MCO to FCO. They'll look at your passport in MCO to make sure you're OK to enter Italy, but that's about it.
An hour isn't going to give you time to stop and have lunch or dinner, but it's enough time to connect.
Jun 15, 2015, 10:55 am
#469
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: DEN: WN or UA, AA LT Gold, VIA Preference Preferred
Posts: 1,551
Can someone please confirm whether or not the airport line to/from 30th St. Station is as simple as it looks? Leaving more than ample time to allow for SEPTA/Amtrak delays and I'm aware that NJT/SEPTA is cheaper than Amtrak, but that seems a little too many train changes for sanity unless it's possible/better to go directly from Trenton to the airport which Google Maps isn't showing.
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
Jun 15, 2015, 1:25 pm
#470
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
Just remember, cash-only on board any SEPTA train. They will make change.
(SEPTA is/has been in the progress of a new, state-of-the-art "New Payment Technology" project for years... We may actually get to see part of it soon...)
(SEPTA is/has been in the progress of a new, state-of-the-art "New Payment Technology" project for years... We may actually get to see part of it soon...)
Jun 15, 2015, 2:58 pm
#471
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: SPG, AA, B6. No longer "still CO to me" with account spent down. RIP CO.
Posts: 653
What I have noted making this connection is that the train stop is closer to the terminal than the bag claim, if you have bags to claim, you have to actually go back towards the terminal a very short distance to catch the train. Extremely easy air/rail interface.....makes PHL a good choice for anywhere served by the Amtrak Northeast Corridor. Daze
Jun 26, 2015, 7:16 am
#472
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 2
Hello All,
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
Jun 26, 2015, 7:41 am
#473
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
Hello All,
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
Jun 26, 2015, 8:21 am
#474
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Hello All,
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
This is my first post.
Below is my travel plans.
Saturday, 27th 2015
US4608 CLT 2:50pm -> PHL 4:40pm
LH427 PHL 5:45pm -> FRA 7:30am
Can this be done?
US4608 is a E170 does it allow carry-on inside the plane?
I am seated 5C on US4608. I have 1 hr in PHL to move from Concourse C to Concourse A-West.
Any advice? Thanks.
You'll find all the information you need here in this thread (be sure to read the wiki at the top of every page) and from the helpful members here.
I've deleted your other posts in an obsolete thread here (we prefer threads over two years old or that are obsolete not be resuscitated) and in the Information Forum, as cross-posting across fora is frowned on here.
As you get to know FT, you will find a lot of valuable information. I hope your stay on FlyerTalk is productive to your travels and helpful to you.
Safe travels on your trip to Frankfurt.
/Moderator
Jun 29, 2015, 12:46 pm
#476
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
If you O&D at terminal F you will note there is still construction going on outside of security. In about another year security area will be expanded for additional lines (including Pre-Check, yeah!) and permit walking connection to the other terminals without having to re-clear security. Baggage claim will end up closer to the arrivals road instead of being next to the ticketing counter.
Jun 29, 2015, 9:24 pm
#477
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: AA EP; UA 2P; Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 194
On Sunday (28-Jun) the first class check-in at B/C was moved from the B side of the room to the C side. Of course, Pre-Check was closed on the C side, only open on the B side.
Jun 29, 2015, 11:31 pm
#478
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Default on the E70 is to check excess carry on to final destination. Valet tags requests rarely honored except for F pax in my experience.
Jul 9, 2015, 11:53 am
#479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I'm looking to book two RDU-PHL-BRU flights for next March (to avoid scam charges that result from RDU - LHR - BRU) and I have two options.
First is a 1.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an A319 and the other is a 5.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an E170.
I assume that the 1.5 hour connection shouldn't be a problem? Especially since A319 should allow us to put carry-on in overhead instead of gate checking.
First is a 1.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an A319 and the other is a 5.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an E170.
I assume that the 1.5 hour connection shouldn't be a problem? Especially since A319 should allow us to put carry-on in overhead instead of gate checking.
Last edited by Duke787; Jul 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Jul 9, 2015, 4:14 pm
#480
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'm looking to book two RDU-PHL-BRU flights for next March (to avoid scam charges that result from RDU - LHR - BRU) and I have two options.
First is a 1.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an A319 and the other is a 5.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an E170.
I assume that the 1.5 hour connection shouldn't be a problem? Especially since A319 should allow us to put carry-on in overhead instead of gate checking.
First is a 1.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an A319 and the other is a 5.5 hour connection coming from RDU on an E170.
I assume that the 1.5 hour connection shouldn't be a problem? Especially since A319 should allow us to put carry-on in overhead instead of gate checking.