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.
Nov 3, 2017, 2:57 pm
#1097
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: US; AA; UA; Hilton Gold; Club Carlson Gold; IHG Platinum;
Posts: 388
Does anyone know if I can drop off my bag and go through security in Terminal A if my AA flight is departing from C gate? Just wanted to save some time and check out Centurion Lounge before my flight.
Nov 3, 2017, 3:48 pm
#1098
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Lifetime Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 178
Should not be an issue...AA has domestic flights scheduled daily from A-East, as well as B, C, and F. Worst case, you could check it at Terminal B, then take the 5 minute walk to Terminal A using the moving walkways.
Nov 10, 2017, 6:14 am
#1100
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 702
it would worry me. I have had too many close calls with 55-60 min connections that I avoid any PHL regional connections under 90 min
Nov 10, 2017, 9:51 am
#1101
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
By “AA Regional”, I assume you mean a regional plane other than an E175? E175s operate out of A/B/C (as do E190s, which are mainline), so I wouldn’t worry too much about those. Other regional jets and all props operate out of F, which adds an extra 10-20 minutes to the connection time (depending on how fast you walk or whether you take the bus).
Nov 10, 2017, 12:14 pm
#1102
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Nov 10, 2017, 12:16 pm
#1103
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Nov 10, 2017, 8:37 pm
#1104
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
By “AA Regional”, I assume you mean a regional plane other than an E175? E175s operate out of A/B/C (as do E190s, which are mainline), so I wouldn’t worry too much about those. Other regional jets and all props operate out of F, which adds an extra 10-20 minutes to the connection time (depending on how fast you walk or whether you take the bus).
(I'm used to LAX, where all regional jets/Eagle flights operate out of a satellite terminal connected only by bus to the mainline terminals.)
Nov 16, 2017, 9:57 am
#1105
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 2
PHL connection time
I'm new to these forums, so I'm not sure where this should be posted.
I'm flying into PHL from BUF on an airline that says Piedmont Air DBA American Eagle. I'm assuming that will be landing in terminal F. My connecting flight is to MIA. We only have a 52 minute connection time. Should we be worried? Based on current flights it looks like our MIA flight may leave out of Terminal B. How long would it take us to get from Terminal F to B? What is our best course of action?
Thank you all for your help.
Ule
I'm flying into PHL from BUF on an airline that says Piedmont Air DBA American Eagle. I'm assuming that will be landing in terminal F. My connecting flight is to MIA. We only have a 52 minute connection time. Should we be worried? Based on current flights it looks like our MIA flight may leave out of Terminal B. How long would it take us to get from Terminal F to B? What is our best course of action?
Thank you all for your help.
Ule
Nov 16, 2017, 10:52 am
#1106
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
Welcome to Flyertalk!
There is a PHL thread that this will probably be merged into.
Walking F to B is probably about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. There is a shuttle bus that goes from Gate F-14, to Gate C-16 (for Terminals C,D and B) and Gate A-1. It's a tight connection (especially with wintery weather and delays becoming more likely) but doable. There's also a number of flights between PHL and MIA since they're both AA hub airports, so if you do miss your connection there are other flights they could potentially accommodate you on.
What type of aircraft are you on? E-175s actually use the "grown up" gates in A/B/C and not F, and I know Piedmont flies some Embraer jets but I can't remember if that goes up to the 175.
There is a PHL thread that this will probably be merged into.
Walking F to B is probably about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. There is a shuttle bus that goes from Gate F-14, to Gate C-16 (for Terminals C,D and B) and Gate A-1. It's a tight connection (especially with wintery weather and delays becoming more likely) but doable. There's also a number of flights between PHL and MIA since they're both AA hub airports, so if you do miss your connection there are other flights they could potentially accommodate you on.
What type of aircraft are you on? E-175s actually use the "grown up" gates in A/B/C and not F, and I know Piedmont flies some Embraer jets but I can't remember if that goes up to the 175.
Nov 22, 2017, 9:33 am
#1107
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
Wondering about a short international connection at PHL. In mid march flying in from CUN at 7:15p, and then flying out to DFW at 8:30p same night. I know this is tight, but any advice on navigating PHL airport.
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
Nov 22, 2017, 9:51 am
#1108
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
Wondering about a short international connection at PHL. In mid march flying in from CUN at 7:15p, and then flying out to DFW at 8:30p same night. I know this is tight, but any advice on navigating PHL airport.
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
As for bags, carry ons only would be ideal since you don't have to wait for them to recheck them like you would checked bags. If you can manage it, do it with only carry on's.
It's hard to say where you will be flying out of in PHL, could be A, B, or C. There is a dedicated security line for international arrivals though in A, so that helps. The walk from re-entry plane side to B or C terminal isn't bad, probably 10 minutes tops.
That being said, being that you are with younger children, coming in from international, and not a lot of time, I would definitely not book that option. Especially since that PHL-DFW is quite possibly the last one of the night out of PHL. I would highly highly not recommend doing this personally. Sure it may work out, but the odds of issue are way too high in my opinion.
Nov 22, 2017, 11:01 am
#1109
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Wondering about a short international connection at PHL. In mid march flying in from CUN at 7:15p, and then flying out to DFW at 8:30p same night. I know this is tight, but any advice on navigating PHL airport.
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
Do caribbean flights clear customs at the same terminal as DFW outbound flights? or will i need to switch terminals?
Is it better to go carry-on only? or checked bags only?
The good news is we are flying J, but it's me, wife and 2 elementary school kids
The potential long (30 minutes) walk would be to F, but F only handles regional jets and props, so no flights to DFW operate out of F.
As for bags, carry ons only would be ideal since you don't have to wait for them to recheck them like you would checked bags. If you can manage it, do it with only carry on's.
If I did book this flight, if there were any delay out of CUN, I'd be asking to be rerouted on a nonstop or via MIA and hoping there's space. Looks like there's a CUN-DFW nonstop about two hours after your CUN-PHL flight.
Nov 22, 2017, 11:12 am
#1110
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
All good advice just above, my only comment is that I would say PHL-DFW is at least a 50% chance of being out of A ... The current AA flights on this route are a hybrid of exUS and exAA flights (planes, crews) and the exAA planes (they don't have to be widebodies) still use A. The "tell" is whether there is MCE seating other than exit rows and bulkheads, since exUS planes don't have "real" MCE seats (and exAA planes do).