Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Buckeye: rent, living, restaurants)

[azriverfan.]

It's a nice regional airport but it is pretty lacking for a city of this size. The international flights are paltry and they really need to do more to attract those. And it could attract more carriers in general like Virgin America.

I'm not a fan of the brown and tope look whether it's the carpet or the walls. It looks provincial and does not have the appearance of a major metropolitan airport. The airport needs to look more modern instead of brown adobe hut. Personally, I don't understand why everything in Phoenix has to have a desert theme. This is a major metropolitan city. Just because it's in the desert, it doesn't mean everything has to look brown and have that theme.

They have improved Terminal 4 considerably. I like the addition of the monorail that goes to the economy parking lots and the city.

[cjseliga]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I'm not a fan of the brown and tope look whether it's the carpet or the walls. It looks provincial and does not have the appearance of a major metropolitan airport. The airport needs to look more modern instead of brown adobe hut. Personally, I don't understand why everything in Phoenix has to have a desert theme. This is a major metropolitan city. Just because it's in the desert, it doesn't mean everything has to look brown and have that theme.

I know what you mean, at least the new T3 renovations are including more glass:

[phenomenon]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

It's a nice regional airport but it is pretty lacking for a city of this size. The international flights are paltry and they really need to do more to attract those. And it could attract more carriers in general like Virgin America.

I hate to break it to you but Phoenix is not even on most international tourist's radar. I love living here and the city provides a good standard of living for cheap, but it's one big boring, bland suburb from a tourist's perspective. Arizona's biggest draw is the Grand Canyon, which most people visit from Las Vegas. So the reason we don't have more international flights at Sky Harbor is due to lack of demand. I'm surprised we still have the BA flight direct to London although I'd imagine it's a bit expensive for most of us.

[Obrienlester]

Terminals 3 & 4 makes it look a World class Airport.......

Terminal 2 makes it look a third world Airport.

I would say that between Terminals 3 and 4, the design looks much more better and sophisticated than DFW Airport. Its just that if your trying to connect to a flight in terminal 2 its terrible commute where you have to physically walk outside in the 100 degree heat and walk into that departure/Arrival area of that section questioning if your in the same Airport.

[dvxhd]

It is not one of the nicest in the world. Hong Kong, Seoul-Incheon, Frankfurt, Denver, Las Vegas and Sydney Kingsford Smith are some airports I've used that are far superior. They're generally laid out well to facilitate the process, plus have more to do in terms of transportation, shopping and passing time. The biggest advantage to Phoenix is its central location, but other than that it's slightly better than practical. Aesthetically, parts of the airport are nice, but it's congested, lacking in service (more to do with the area itself than the airport), and not very unique.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Obrienlester

Terminals 3 & 4 makes it look a World class Airport.......

Terminal 2 makes it look a third world Airport.

I would say that between Terminals 3 and 4, the design looks much more better and sophisticated than DFW Airport. Its just that if your trying to connect to a flight in terminal 2 its terrible commute where you have to physically walk outside in the 100 degree heat and walk into that departure/Arrival area of that section questioning if your in the same Airport.

I agree that Terminal 2 is a dinosaur compared to the other two. Luckily it will close once the Terminal 3 renovation/expansion is complete.

[Antwuan]

I have a question if I'm traveling to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, how will I know which carousel to look to for my luggage as far as the baggage claim?

I'm headed to Phoenix for the 1st time in October.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Antwuan

I have a question if I'm traveling to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, how will I know which carousel to look to for my luggage as far as the baggage claim?

I'm headed to Phoenix for the 1st time in October.

In terminal 4, when you get down to the baggage claim level, you will see a sign telling you which carousel your bags are on, and there are announcements. In Terminal 3, I suspect it is the same, though I have not been in there in a while. Terminal 2 has very few carousels and few flights, it's easy to figure out. Which terminal you are in depends on which airline you are flying. American and Southwest are in 4, Delta and Frontier are the primary carriers in 3, and United and Alaska in 2. If you aren't on one of those airlines, let us know.

[Obrienlester]

Originally Posted by Antwuan

I have a question if I'm traveling to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, how will I know which carousel to look to for my luggage as far as the baggage claim?

I'm headed to Phoenix for the 1st time in October.

More than likely your Airline will tell you or you can find out from the baggage screens.

[dcarney]

I'm from NY originally and have traveled all over the world. Just recently moved to the Phoenix area.

Yes, Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the better airports out there.