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.
Apr 2, 2018, 3:55 am
#1186
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SYD
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH D, QFF, EB
Posts: 404
International to Domestic connection at PHL
Hi, looking for a bit of advice before speaking to the airlines (delibratly used plural).
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
Apr 2, 2018, 6:09 am
#1187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,469
Hi, looking for a bit of advice before speaking to the airlines (delibratly used plural).
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
Apr 2, 2018, 6:59 am
#1188
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
Hi, looking for a bit of advice before speaking to the airlines (delibratly used plural).
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
I have a connection in August from BA in First on the 747 to AA domestic to DCA (booked through BA). When I booked I had a 2 hour connection which I was more than comfortable with.
Following the big timetable update last month BA notified me that they had moved me onto a later flight due to my flight being removed by AA. This gives a connection of 2 hours 45 which I can live with. Checking flight details in the AA app today for another booking saw that AA have moved me onto an earlier flight giving a 1 hour 29 connection.
My main question is, is this enough time for the connection? I don't have Global Entry and am unlikely to be in a position to attend an interview before August.
What is slightly interesting in all of this is that BA the prime ticket issuer and through whom I am flying 4 out of 5 sectors still have the later flight. Once I have the advice I will then be able to sort out the mismatch between the BA and AA itineraries.
Thanks for any help.
Apr 2, 2018, 9:17 am
#1189
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
Apr 2, 2018, 12:58 pm
#1190
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SYD
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH D, QFF, EB
Posts: 404
I'd go with the longer layover. August is a pretty heavy time for TATL and you may be landing with a swarm of other flights. PHL is not famous for their prompt luggage delivery. Also, you'll be arriving in the International terminal (A West)and have a bit of a stroll to ICE. Then you need to collect your bags, re-check in across the street, go through security again (which can suck in PHL unless you have Pre), and possibly high tail it to Terminal F for a regional jet connection (not sure if they would put DCA flights in F but it will be a RJ you're flying and they do have an airside bus connection to F). PHL is a decent enough domestic airport to stroll around in if you do end up having and extra hour. Take your time, relax a little after a long haul.
I had thought was likely to be under so can't understand why AA changed the BA arranged later flight. I'll be travelling hand luggage only which would speed things up but will speak to BA to get them to have AA change their version of the itinery to match BA's (that flight is still scheduled).
Apr 2, 2018, 7:38 pm
#1191
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
Tight connection in PHL
My parents purchased J tickets from BHM to FCO via PHL with a 67 minute connection time.
They are very worried about this connection because the on-time performance of the x-BHM segment is around 50%.
I almost never use PHL or fly TATLs, so I wanted to ask...
1) Is this connection time in PHL any cause for concern?
2) If the x-BHM flight is delayed by weather and they miss the connection, is there any way AA will rebook them on anything other than original routing? That is to say, will AA let them fly on a later PHL TATL departure and connect within Europe to Rome using BA/IB? What if the delay is AA caused?
Also, any hacks for efficiently connecting from AE to AA international in PHL?
Thanks in advance!
They are very worried about this connection because the on-time performance of the x-BHM segment is around 50%.
I almost never use PHL or fly TATLs, so I wanted to ask...
1) Is this connection time in PHL any cause for concern?
2) If the x-BHM flight is delayed by weather and they miss the connection, is there any way AA will rebook them on anything other than original routing? That is to say, will AA let them fly on a later PHL TATL departure and connect within Europe to Rome using BA/IB? What if the delay is AA caused?
Also, any hacks for efficiently connecting from AE to AA international in PHL?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by mcrw00; Apr 2, 2018 at 7:54 pm
Apr 2, 2018, 7:53 pm
#1192
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
My parents purchased J tickets from BHM to FCO via PHL with a 67 minute connection time.
They are very worried about this connection because the on-time performance of the x-BHM segment is around 50%.
I almost never use PHL or fly TATLs, so I wanted to ask...
1) Is this connection time in PHL any cause for concern?
2) If the x-BHM flight is delayed by weather and they miss the connection, is there any way AA will rebook them on anything other than other than original routing? That is to say, will AA let them fly on a later PHL TATL departure and connect within Europe to Rome using BA/IB? What if the delay is AA caused?
Also, any hacks for efficiently connecting from AE to AA international in PHL?
Thanks in advance!
They are very worried about this connection because the on-time performance of the x-BHM segment is around 50%.
I almost never use PHL or fly TATLs, so I wanted to ask...
1) Is this connection time in PHL any cause for concern?
2) If the x-BHM flight is delayed by weather and they miss the connection, is there any way AA will rebook them on anything other than other than original routing? That is to say, will AA let them fly on a later PHL TATL departure and connect within Europe to Rome using BA/IB? What if the delay is AA caused?
Also, any hacks for efficiently connecting from AE to AA international in PHL?
Thanks in advance!
Apr 2, 2018, 9:55 pm
#1193
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Is this what they actually purchased or is this 67-minute connection time the result of a schedule change? If it is the result of a schedule change, then AA will be more likely to change it without a change fee.
Apr 2, 2018, 9:58 pm
#1194
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
Assume that AA is routing your parents through PHL because they're going to Rome in a Winter month and CLT is seasonal. I believe there is an earlier BHM-PHL flight, with a potential 5 hour PHL layover. Otherwise, there are more BHM-CLT-PHL flights than BHM-PHL flights, which may get them into PHL for a somewhat less than 5 hour layover. The risk/complexity of course is the extra CLT connection. You really need to talk to AA and make them aware that your parents are willing to take a (much) longer PHL connection time than 67 minutes, if that is their concern. FWIW, it's tons easier to solve a misconnect within the AA network, than in Europe with another carrier. If they take the 5 hour (or near) PHL layover solution, buy them a 1 Day A-West Admirals Club Lounge Pass.
Apr 2, 2018, 11:22 pm
#1195
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
Apr 2, 2018, 11:46 pm
#1196
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
If going into F, I think you have to take the shuttle - I don't think walking is an option, and I don't think you'd want to anyway. I don't feel like 67 minutes is all that tight. But check alternative routing and give them something to suggest if the BHM-PHL flight is running late. If you have a ticket to get from A to B today, and you're at the gate, they will do just about anything reasonable (on their metal) to get you to B today, but it helps if you can suggest a routing.
Apr 3, 2018, 2:50 am
#1197
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
Please read AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc., particularly the Wikipost. (We’ll probably merge this into that thread, ultimately.)
Also consider, if they’re in J, buying Five Star Service for them. They’ll be getting met at the landing jetway and ultimately preboarded to their departing flight. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.
Also consider, if they’re in J, buying Five Star Service for them. They’ll be getting met at the landing jetway and ultimately preboarded to their departing flight. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.
Apr 3, 2018, 7:07 am
#1198
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, BA Gold
Posts: 876
Please read AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc., particularly the Wikipost. (We’ll probably merge this into that thread, ultimately.)
Also consider, if they’re in J, buying Five Star Service for them. They’ll be getting met at the landing jetway and ultimately preboarded to their departing flight. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.
Also consider, if they’re in J, buying Five Star Service for them. They’ll be getting met at the landing jetway and ultimately preboarded to their departing flight. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.
Five Star isn't inexpensive, but it's a good insurance policy on these types of connections. Your parents will be met at their arriving flight and escorted to their connecting flight; but more importantly, if things go off the rails due to an arrival delay they'll have an advocate to assist in rebooking. I've done this several times on similar itineraries, and mostly things have gone smoothly but on one occasion Five Star really saved the day for me.
Apr 3, 2018, 7:39 am
#1199
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
I second this suggestion. 67 minutes isn't that tight if all is on schedule, but even a 10- or 15-min late arrival would make it much sketchier. You don't say how mobile your parents are, but even with the shuttle from F-A they'd need to move quickly. Keep in mind AA will close the FCO flight 10 minutes prior to departure.
Five Star isn't inexpensive, but it's a good insurance policy on these types of connections. Your parents will be met at their arriving flight and escorted to their connecting flight; but more importantly, if things go off the rails due to an arrival delay they'll have an advocate to assist in rebooking. I've done this several times on similar itineraries, and mostly things have gone smoothly but on one occasion Five Star really saved the day for me.
Five Star isn't inexpensive, but it's a good insurance policy on these types of connections. Your parents will be met at their arriving flight and escorted to their connecting flight; but more importantly, if things go off the rails due to an arrival delay they'll have an advocate to assist in rebooking. I've done this several times on similar itineraries, and mostly things have gone smoothly but on one occasion Five Star really saved the day for me.
Apr 3, 2018, 8:20 am
#1200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
In most instances there is only ONE intl flt from PHL to a given destination. Even if delaying a flt's departure, shouldn't GAs monitor inbounds carefully for delayed connections?