Phoenix

In the early days of aviation Phoenix had several airports, Sky Harbor was the fourth, opened in 1928, and the ultimate survivor for most commercial flights. The airport was acquired by the City of Phoenix in 1935. You shouldn’t feel foolish flying to Phoenix, because you’re not alone. More than 40% of passengers who use the airport are doing just what you’re  doing – making connections.

TERMINAL LAYOUT

Sky Harbor’s original “modern” airline terminal, opened in 1952, was demolished in 1991 and Terminal 2, opened in 1962, was closed in February 2020, so the airport’s passenger facilities now consist of terminals 3 and 4, officially named, respectively, the John S. McCain and Barry M. Goldwater terminals. The two terminals are in separate buildings but PHX Sky Train, an automated people mover, connects them outside of the TSA secure area and also takes passengers to the car rental center, economy parking facilities and to a Valley Metro Light Rail station. Terminal 3 has 25 gates on two concourses, the E gates on the F gates on the north concourse. Terminal 4 has 92 gates spread out over eight concourses. Four concourses on the north side of the terminal contain the A and B gates and four concourses on the south side of the terminal contain the C and D gates.  International flights use gates B23-B28 on the north side of Terminal 4.

To/From Tucson Connections

American Airlines flights arrive and depart PHX at gates A1-A30 and B1-B22 in Terminal 4. Connecting passengers can reach other American Airlines gates without exiting the TSA secure area.  Passengers can also reach all other airline gates in Terminal 4, including international departures, without leaving the secure area but passengers connecting to/from airlines in Terminal 3 must leave the secure area and be re-screened. Also, arriving international passengers, except those who have been pre-cleared by U.S. Customs at their departure airport, are required to exit the TSA secure area after going through Customs in Phoenix and be re-screened before going to their connecting gate.

Phoenix Airport website