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.
Jul 20, 2017, 8:30 am
#1021
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 244
Hello,
found great help regarding PHL airport here.
I will arrive with AA from Frankfurt in A and transfer to AA to Charleston in Terminal F (and then transfer in CHS to Miami, talk about a stupid routing I booked on purpose).
My transit is exactly 2 hours, which I understand should be ok.
I understand there are three options:
-Immigration in A and then reclear security in A and take airside bus from A1 to F10
-Immigration in A and then reclear Security in A and walk over to F Airside
-Immigration in A and then take the landside public train to F and reclear security there
The airside bus would be the "normal" way, right? I don't think I have much time left to spare to walk the whole way from A to F, but let's say immigration is a breeze and I feel like I fancy to walk around a bit, how long would that take? I could also walk to C and take the bus from there.
Does the landside train even make sense?
There is a AA lounge in F, right? i suppose this is your usual domestic Admirals Club with nothing special to mention? I have status with AB so I could use it.
Thank you very much.
found great help regarding PHL airport here.
I will arrive with AA from Frankfurt in A and transfer to AA to Charleston in Terminal F (and then transfer in CHS to Miami, talk about a stupid routing I booked on purpose).
My transit is exactly 2 hours, which I understand should be ok.
I understand there are three options:
-Immigration in A and then reclear security in A and take airside bus from A1 to F10
-Immigration in A and then reclear Security in A and walk over to F Airside
-Immigration in A and then take the landside public train to F and reclear security there
The airside bus would be the "normal" way, right? I don't think I have much time left to spare to walk the whole way from A to F, but let's say immigration is a breeze and I feel like I fancy to walk around a bit, how long would that take? I could also walk to C and take the bus from there.
Does the landside train even make sense?
There is a AA lounge in F, right? i suppose this is your usual domestic Admirals Club with nothing special to mention? I have status with AB so I could use it.
Thank you very much.
Jul 20, 2017, 9:24 am
#1022
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
No. In fact, they may not let you board - the train terminates at the E/F platform, and there is a slight delay before it begins its return journey to the city. Also, it only runs twice an hour, so hardly worth the wait. (The suggestion to use the platforms is to provide a covered-path to connect to other terminal entrances).
Yes, it is located over the "Hub" which is the Food Court in the center of the terminal. If you take the bus option, it drops you in this area on arrival to F. It is a standard domestic club, there will be snacks, etc., and food to order. However, the food court below will have much better options for full meals.
The bus is probably easiest, the walk may feel good after a long flight, and if you have "extra" time.
There is a AA lounge in F, right? i suppose this is your usual domestic Admirals Club with nothing special to mention? I have status with AB so I could use it.
The bus is probably easiest, the walk may feel good after a long flight, and if you have "extra" time.
Jul 20, 2017, 10:16 am
#1023
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
The airside bus would be the "normal" way, right? I don't think I have much time left to spare to walk the whole way from A to F, but let's say immigration is a breeze and I feel like I fancy to walk around a bit, how long would that take? I could also walk to C and take the bus from there.
Jul 20, 2017, 11:01 am
#1024
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
-Immigration in A and then take the landside public train to F and reclear security there
The airside bus would be the "normal" way, right? I don't think I have much time left to spare to walk the whole way from A to F, but let's say immigration is a breeze and I feel like I fancy to walk around a bit, how long would that take? I could also walk to C and take the bus from there.
Does the landside train even make sense?
The airside bus would be the "normal" way, right? I don't think I have much time left to spare to walk the whole way from A to F, but let's say immigration is a breeze and I feel like I fancy to walk around a bit, how long would that take? I could also walk to C and take the bus from there.
Does the landside train even make sense?
There is a AA lounge in F, right? i suppose this is your usual domestic Admirals Club with nothing special to mention? I have status with AB so I could use it.
If you're tight for time, though, I'd get over to F and then spend any extra time in the F lounge.
Yup. Part of the way has moving walkways, so the effective walking distance can be a bit less than that if you prefer. The moving walkways are between B and C -- behind the shops on the tarmac side of the connector between B and C -- and between C and D.
Jul 21, 2017, 7:00 am
#1025
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
Aug 3, 2017, 1:21 am
#1026
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
I believe the Airport Map access has been removed from the PHL Web Site.
Here is a much better one anyway (click on map to expand):
http://ontheworldmap.com/usa/city/ph...irport-map.jpg
** MAP ALSO ADDED TO THREAD WIKI (Page 1) **
Here is a much better one anyway (click on map to expand):
http://ontheworldmap.com/usa/city/ph...irport-map.jpg
** MAP ALSO ADDED TO THREAD WIKI (Page 1) **
Last edited by perseus11; Aug 5, 2017 at 2:47 am
Aug 4, 2017, 5:56 am
#1027
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Any updates on the new Centurion Lounge? I lost most of my Philly lounge access this summer due to the changes in the Citi Prestige card (eliminating AA lounges), but I didn't care because I figured I'd just use the AMEX lounge. But now the AMEX lounge isn't open. Any idea when it will open?
Aug 4, 2017, 7:23 am
#1029
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
Any updates on the new Centurion Lounge? I lost most of my Philly lounge access this summer due to the changes in the Citi Prestige card (eliminating AA lounges), but I didn't care because I figured I'd just use the AMEX lounge. But now the AMEX lounge isn't open. Any idea when it will open?
American Express Centurion Lounge Philadelphia Won’t Open Until Fall
Based on this, I'll be happy as long as long as it opens before the holidays.
Aug 8, 2017, 6:45 am
#1030
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 476
Hello. Wife connecting from Qatar airways to Southwest at PHL. Just wanted to check if SW operates a different terminal at PHL i.e something like Lax & SFO or it will be a within airport transfer from A west - Immigration - Southwest? Thanks
Aug 8, 2017, 7:10 am
#1031
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
At PHL, all gates are connected airside. Because WN doesn't interline with anybody, she'll have to bring any checked bags over to WN's check-in desks, which are in Terminal E. That's a fair landside walk (about half a mile, judging from a satellite image; most of the length of the airport); it will be outdoors on the sidewalk along the arrivals or departures road. Not the most pleasant walk, but doable. There aren't any landside airport shuttle buses that I know of.
If she's not checking bags and can get a WN boarding pass before arriving in PHL, she'll be able to use the security check-point right at the Customs exit and do the walk airside, which will be much easier.
Aug 8, 2017, 7:21 am
#1032
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 476
This isn't relevant to AA, but:
At PHL, all gates are connected airside. Because WN doesn't interline with anybody, she'll have to bring any checked bags over to WN's check-in desks, which are in Terminal E. That's a fair landside walk (about half a mile, judging from a satellite image; most of the length of the airport); it will be outdoors on the sidewalk along the arrivals or departures road. Not the most pleasant walk, but doable. There aren't any landside airport shuttle buses that I know of.
If she's not checking bags and can get a WN boarding pass before arriving in PHL, she'll be able to use the security check-point right at the Customs exit and do the walk airside, which will be much easier.
At PHL, all gates are connected airside. Because WN doesn't interline with anybody, she'll have to bring any checked bags over to WN's check-in desks, which are in Terminal E. That's a fair landside walk (about half a mile, judging from a satellite image; most of the length of the airport); it will be outdoors on the sidewalk along the arrivals or departures road. Not the most pleasant walk, but doable. There aren't any landside airport shuttle buses that I know of.
If she's not checking bags and can get a WN boarding pass before arriving in PHL, she'll be able to use the security check-point right at the Customs exit and do the walk airside, which will be much easier.
Aug 8, 2017, 8:00 am
#1033
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Since it's oneworld, my wild guess is that there's a better chance QR will interline the bags through to AA than that they will to DL, but I'd still not expect them to on a separate ticket. But with AA, worst case scenario is she walks straight downstairs to check the bags at the AA ticket counters in A-West or A-East (or any other terminal in PHL except D or E).
Aug 8, 2017, 1:34 pm
#1034
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
DL isn't much shorter of a walk (they're in D, next to E), and I don't know if QR will interline bags through to DL on a separate ticket. If they do, I think there's a recheck carousel outside Customs, but if they don't, she'll have to walk the bags over to D anyway. (Being PHL-based, I've never done an international-domestic connection here.)
Since it's oneworld, my wild guess is that there's a better chance QR will interline the bags through to AA than that they will to DL, but I'd still not expect them to on a separate ticket. But with AA, worst case scenario is she walks straight downstairs to check the bags at the AA ticket counters in A-West or A-East (or any other terminal in PHL except D or E).
Since it's oneworld, my wild guess is that there's a better chance QR will interline the bags through to AA than that they will to DL, but I'd still not expect them to on a separate ticket. But with AA, worst case scenario is she walks straight downstairs to check the bags at the AA ticket counters in A-West or A-East (or any other terminal in PHL except D or E).
Qatar Airways / QR has verified as of 1 March 2017 they will interlink baggage on separate PNRs. They must be the first airline, not one honoring the original oneworld policy, one checks in with, and the connection must meet MCT (usually two hours). See more in post quoted below, and link to Australian Business Traveller article. (26 Feb 2017)
MODERATOR NOTE: I was about to move these posts to the Mid-Atlantic forum, as it appears to have nothing to do with American Airlines. But as the OP is looking at booking AA and there is no thread that exists as a guide to PHL in the Mid-Atlantic forum, I'll leave it here for now.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 8, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Aug 8, 2017, 4:42 pm
#1035
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
As AA and QR are both oneworld airlines, and as Qatar will interline baggage even if the AA ticket is on a separate PNR, QR should check the baggage through to the final destination. In that case she will drop the baggage at the bag drop facility exiting Customs if there is one at PHL for forwarding to AA................