Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is Pennsylvania's busiest airport and a significant East Coast hub.
The airport is situated about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of downtown Philadelphia, just north of the Delaware River.
In 2024, PHL handled nearly 31 million passengers, of which almost 4 million were international travelers. This ranked it among the 25 busiest airports in the USA.
Major Airlines - American Airlines
American Airlines is PHL’s dominant carrier, transporting nearly 20 million passengers in 2024 and holding over 45% of the market share. American offers more than 8000 flights per month to over 125 destinations. Its regional subsidiary, American Eagle, operates a large portion of those flights.
Of the other legacy carriers, only Delta Air Lines has more than 5% market share and serves 6 destinations. United Airlines follows with around 400 monthly flights to 5 of its major hubs.
Low-cost carriers are popular with those flying from Philadelphia Airport. Frontier, Spirit, and Southwest account for a quarter of all flights at the airport. Destinations served include both smaller domestic airports, popular holiday destinations abroad, and large operating bases in the USA.
Several foreign airlines also offer direct flights to Philadelphia. Examples include Aer Lingus (Dublin), British Airways (London-Heathrow), Aeroméxico (Mexico City), and Air Canada (Toronto and Montreal).
Click here to see all airlines with scheduled flights at PHL.
Terminal Layout and Gates of PHL
Philadelphia Airport has a single concourse system with seven lettered terminals: A-East, A-West, B, C, D, E, and F. The airport has 126 gates in total.
Terminal A-West handles most international flights (e.g., British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Aeroméxico), with 13 gates (A14–A26). Arrivals and baggage claim are shared with A-East
Terminal A-East supports some flights by American as well as international carriers.
Terminals B & C are exclusively used by American Airlines. They are linked by the Philadelphia Marketplace retail area and have 15 gates each.
Terminal D hosts Delta, United, Air Canada, and serves only flights to/from domestic and pre-cleared destinations. It has 16 gates and is linked to E via a post-security walkway.
Terminal E serves low-cost carriers like Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit. It includes 17 gates.
Terminal F handles American Eagle and Contour regional flights with 37 gates.
Free shuttle buses operate airside between Terminals A-East and F and between Terminals C and F. There is no need to clear Security when using these buses.
All terminals lie along one corridor on the airside, allowing you to walk between them without the need to clear Security. However, note that the longest walk (from Terminal A-West to Terminal F) can take up to 30 minutes as it’s nearly 1.3 miles (2.1 km).
Connecting Flights and Transit at Philadelphia Airport
Thanks to the unified concourse with all terminals connected airside, transfers at PHL are straightforward. You can always just walk from any gate to any gate, although some walks can be long.
For quicker transfers, take the secure-area shuttle between A/B, C, and F.
International arrivals connecting onwards have a different experience, as you will be required to pass through immigration, collect luggage, and clear customs before proceeding. This is in line with US airports, which normally require you to re-check your luggage even if traveling with the same airline and ticket number.
Allow 60-90 minutes for smooth connections, especially when crossing terminals or re-clearing security.
Longer layovers may allow you to exit the airport and go to the city to explore some of the best things to do in Philadelphia.
WiFi
Free Wi-Fi is standard throughout the terminals. The usable networks are "Free PHL Airport WiFi" and "Free PHL Airport WiFi-24”.
To connect, you have to accept the terms and conditions on the splash page and may have to watch a short ad to activate.
Lounges offer premium Wi-Fi networks if the public one is not strong enough for your needs.
Lounges at PHL
PHL has 10 lounges, 4 of which belong to American Airlines:
American Airlines Flagship Lounge (A-Gates, between A15 and A16) offers à la carte dining, cocktails, showers, and a cozy vibe with fireplaces.
Admirals Club, between Gates A4 and A6, features complimentary snacks and a kids’ room.
Admirals Club, on level 3 of the Terminal B/C connector, is open from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Admirals Club, above the food court in Terminal F, offers lounge access to those flying out of Terminal F.
Of the other 6 lounges, three belong to other airlines:
British Airways Lounge: Located in Terminal A-West, near gate A14. Open to match BA flights, specifically from 3:15 PM to 8 PM.
Delta Sky Club: Located in the D/E connector. Open from 4:15 AM until around 7 PM.
United Club: Located in the C/D connector. Open from 5 AM to 6 PM. Also accessible for a fee of 59 USD.
Additionally, two lounges cater to credit card holders:
Chase Sapphire Lounge, located on the connector between D/E, is a very spacious lounge, which includes a beer garden, mini-spa, arcade, signature cocktails, and a playful beer-and-cheesesteak theme. The entrance fee is $100 for guests without the card.
In Terminal B/C, the American Express Centurion Lounge is also available to those holding a premium card of the brand.
Last but not least, the USO Lounge is located near Gate E1 and offers a comfortable place to relax and grab a drink/snack to active military members and their families. It’s open from Wednesday to Monday, 6 AM to 6 PM.
Dining Options at Philadelphia Airport
Philadelphia Airport may have a bad reputation for lacking a nice dining scene, but this has significantly improved over the past few years. Today, the airport offers more than 75 restaurants and bars, serving standout Philadelphia flavors, fast food, or international cuisine.
Highlights include:
Bar Symon (Terminal D): Comfort food with a Philly twist from a celebrity chef.
Jim’s South St. Famous Cheesesteaks (Terminal C): A visit to Philly without a cheesesteak? You have the chance to remedy this mistake at the airport!
Geno’s Steaks (B/C Connector): Some cheesesteaks, but in a different terminal.
Baba Bar (Terminal B): Mediterranean fare.
Bud & Marilyn’s (Terminal C): Midwestern comfort classics.
Good Luck Pizza Co. (Terminal E): Gourmet pies.
La Colombe coffee across Terminals A, B, C, and E.
Quick-service chains like Smashburger, Chick-fil-A, and Subway can be found throughout the airport, whereas coffee chains such as Starbucks and Elixr Coffee (a local brand) will keep you caffeinated before your flight.
Nearly all dining venues are located after the Security checks, leaving very little choice on the landside.
Transportation options at PHL
Those driving will find the airport easily accessible from the I-95 Highway. Exits are signposted, so regardless of where you’re coming from, it’s easy to navigate towards the terminals. Once inside, there are 3 main roads: the south transportation road, arrivals road, and departures road.
Of public transport options, the most convenient is the SEPTA train. It stops at the station at Terminal A and connects directly to the Center City in about 25 minutes, with service every 30 minutes. Tickets cost $6.75 to the city center and $9.25 to stations beyond it. The train does not run during the night - the first trains are around 4-5 AM from the city and around 5-6 AM from the airport.
Using the SEPTA train, you can connect to other rail services, such as:
Regional trains at several stations.
Amtrak at 30th Street Station.
NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line at 30th Street Station.
Several bus lines also serve the airport. 3 SEPTA Bus services operate from in front of every terminal on the arrivals road, as follows:
Route 37 to/from South Philadelphia and Chester.
Route 108 to/from 69th Street Transportation Center.
Route 115 to/from Suburban Square in Ardmore.
Tickets cost 2.50 USD in cash or $2 with a SEPTA Key card.
Taxis, on the other hand, offer rides to the city center at a flat rate of 28.50 USD. They are available at the commercial transportation roadway of each terminal. Metered taxis are also available, and so are ride-hailing, app-based services like Uber and Lyft.
See more information about private transfers to the Philadelphia city center and Atlantic City.
See deals for car rentals here.
Parking at Philadelphia Airport
With more than 16,000 parking spaces, PHL accommodates short-term, economy, and garage parking.
Short-term parking costs $5 for the first 30 minutes and $7 for the first hour, with increments every 30 minutes. Price differs between ground-level and upper-level parking after the 4th hour - $24 and $44, respectively.
Long-term parking is available in the economy parking lot located north of the airport. The parking fee there is a flat $15 per day. It is connected to the terminals via shuttle buses running 24/7.
For picking up passengers, it’s best to use the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. It is located about 1 minute driving away from the Arrival areas, and drivers must remain within their vehicles. Maximum stay is capped at 30 minutes.
Electric charging stations can be found in Garage C (level 1), Garage D (level 1), and in the Economy Parking Lot, near the airport toll plaza.
Hotels near Philadelphia Airport
The only full-service hotel within the airport premises is the Philadelphia Airport Marriott. It has more than 400 rooms and is connected to the terminals via a skybridge, just across from B and C. The Marriott is ideal for overnight layovers or early flights.
Another option is the Minute Suites - PHL, which is within the terminal, very close to Gates A and B. It offers no frills accommodation inside the Security area, so there’s no need to go through formalities between flights.
On the other side of Highway 95, you have more choices, including Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport, Fairfield Inn Philadelphia Airport, and Sonesta Select Philadelphia Airport.
If these do not pique your interest, click here to see even more hotels near Philadelphia Airport.
Philadelphia, PA, USA
