Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Difference between revisions

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icao=KPHX|
icao=KPHX|
aptype=Commercial|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/|
website=https://www.skyharbor.com/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=PHX&spn=0.060764,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=PHX&spn=0.060764,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
mapsource=Google Maps|
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===Terminal 4 Garage===  
===Terminal 4 Garage===  


The Terminal 4 rooftop garage can offer good views of the east end of the airport, including both runways. Levels 7 and 8 are preferred for photography. The north side faces the US Airways hub operation as well as runway 8/26. Afternoon landing shots can be taken with a 300-500mm lens.  The south side faces the Southwest hub operation. Photography of either ramp is variable depending on the sun (the US Airways side is best photographed in winter, Southwest on summer evenings). During the summer, before sunset, photography is possible of aircraft queuing up to depart runway 25L (south runway); again, a 300mm lens is needed.
The Terminal 4 rooftop garage can offer good views of the east end of the airport, including both runways. Levels 7 and 8 are preferred for photography. The north side faces the American Airlines hub operation as well as runway 8/26. Afternoon landing shots can be taken with a 300-500mm lens.  The south side faces the Southwest hub operation. Photography of either ramp is variable depending on the sun (the American side is best photographed in winter, Southwest on summer evenings). During the summer, before sunset, photography is possible of aircraft queuing up to depart runway 25L (south runway); again, a 300mm lens is needed.


===Terminal 3 Garage===
===Terminal 3 Garage===


This garage offers views of both runways as well as the midfield taxiway crossovers (Taxiways Sierra and Tango). Level 4 is preferred, as Level 5 is enclosed by a wire fence and Level 6 is the top and exposed to the sun.  The east end of the garage faces the crossover taxiways, and photography is best in the afternoon.  A new control tower is being constructed (opening 2007) which has obstructed some of the view. The corners of the parking garage are best for photography, however, beware of shadows falling across aircraft from the control tower and antenna.  Since most departing traffic uses the south runway, a good mix of traffic will use the crossover. Both north and south gate areas of Terminal 3 can be photographed from the garage as well.  
This garage offers views of both runways as well as the midfield taxiway crossovers (Taxiways Sierra and Tango). Level 4 is preferred, as Level 5 is enclosed by a wire fence and Level 6 is the top and exposed to the sun.  The east end of the garage faces the crossover taxiways, and photography is best in the afternoon.  A control tower obstructs some of the view. The corners of the parking garage are best for photography, however, beware of shadows falling across aircraft from the control tower and antenna.  Since most departing traffic uses the south runway, a good mix of traffic will use the crossover. Both north and south gate areas of Terminal 3 can be photographed from the garage as well.  


===Terminal 2 Garage===
===Terminal 2 Garage===
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===East Economy Lot area===
===East Economy Lot area===


A new parking garage is located in the airport's east economy parking lot.  This garage may offer good opportunities to photograph landing aircraft on the south runways during summer evenings.   
A parking garage is located in the airport's east economy parking lot.  This garage may offer good opportunities to photograph landing aircraft on the south runways during summer evenings.   


===40th Street/Salt River Bank===
===40th Street/Salt River Bank===
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==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==


The dirt hill north of the Terminal 2 garage, next to the fenceline, is no longer usable due to a new fence built in 2004.
The dirt hill north of the Terminal 2 garage, next to the fenceline, is no longer usable due to a fence built in 2004.


Avoid all employee parking lots as they are secured by card access and are guarded. This includes the East Employee parking lot.
Avoid all employee parking lots as they are secured by card access and are guarded. This includes the East Employee parking lot.
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Landings normally use the North (8/26) and South (7R/25L) runways. Departures normally use the center (7L/25R) runway. The airport normally operates east during the morning (landing 7R and 8, departing 7L) and west from mid-morning through the evening (landing 25L and 26, departing 25R).
Landings normally use the North (8/26) and South (7R/25L) runways. Departures normally use the center (7L/25R) runway. The airport normally operates east during the morning (landing 7R and 8, departing 7L) and west from mid-morning through the evening (landing 25L and 26, departing 25R).


Alaska Airlines (Boeing 737-800, 737-900), British Airways (Boeing 747), Delta Airlines (Boeing 737), Fed Ex (MD-10), Southwest Airlines (Boeing 737), Spirit Airlines (Airbus A320) and WestJet (Boeing 737) are among the most commonly seen airline sat the airport, apart from American Airlines (which has a hub at this airport) types.  
Alaska Airlines (Boeing 737-800, 737-900, and possibly 737-700s), British Airways (Boeing 787), Delta Airlines (Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900ER, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 767-400ER, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A330-900neo), Delta Connection (E175-200LR), Fed Ex (Boeing 777F, McDonnell-Douglas MD-10/DC-10), Southwest Airlines (Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8), Spirit Airlines (Airbus A320-200), UPS (Airbus A300F4-600R (F), Boeing 767-300ERF) and WestJet (Boeing 737-600, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800) are among the most commonly seen airlines at the airport, apart from American Airlines (which has a hub at this airport) types, which include the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321-200NX, and regional planes from American Eagle such as the Bombardier CRJ-700/701, Bombardier CRJ-900, and Embraer E175-200LR.  


In the past the airport was a well know place where to find several international airliners at the maintenance hangar and Alitalia MD-11, Korean Air MD-11 and Saudia L-1011 are among airplanes known to be spotted there. This is no longer the case since Southwest Airlines bought the maintenance area and does not accept any other airlines' aircraft to be repaired there. However, a former Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340 and another Airbus A340, in the colors of Qatar Airways (carrying the Qatari Emir and/or his family) have been spotted there frequently.
In the past the airport was a well known place where to find several international airliners at the maintenance hangar and Alitalia MD-11, Korean Air MD-11 and Saudia L-1011 are among airplanes known to be spotted there. This is no longer the case since Southwest Airlines bought the maintenance area and does not accept any other airlines' aircraft to be repaired there. However, a former Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340 and another Airbus A340, in the colors of Qatar Airways (carrying the Qatari Emir and/or his family) have been spotted there frequently. Condor 767-300ER aircraft can be seen on rare occasions.


==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
All terminals and remote parking lots are connected by shuttle busses.
All terminals and remote parking lots are connected by shuttle busses.


Valley Metro runs two bus lines through Sky Harbor. The Red Line goes west to downtown and east to Downtown Tempe, where numerous bars, restaurants, and US Airways headquarters are located (including the US Airways company store). There is also a free bus that provides service between the Metro Light Rail stop at 44th Street and Washington and the airport terminals.
Valley Metro runs two bus lines through Sky Harbor. The Red Line goes west to downtown and east to Downtown Tempe, where numerous bars and restaurants are located. There is also a free bus that provides service between the Metro Light Rail stop at 44th Street and Washington and the airport terminals.


==Local Resources==
==Local Resources==