Memorial Day 2024 is just a few days away. This year, Philadelphia International Airport is projecting about 565,560 passengers will travel through the airport from May 23- May 28. The peak days of the holiday weekend will be Thursday, May 23 (105,870 arriving/departing passengers) and Friday, May 24, (102,930 arriving/departing passengers). This is approximately 29 percent more than Memorial Day weekend 2023 and 1 percent higher than Memorial Day weekend 2019 (pre-pandemic).
And Memorial Day means the busy summer travel season is just around the corner. PHL is anticipating passenger volume for June-August 2024 to increase 18 percent over 2023 and be equal to 2019. This increase can be attributed to new flight options for passengers, including American Airlines’ new nonstop daily international service to Nice, Naples and Copenhagen; Frontier Airlines’ increase to 42 destinations from PHL, including four international routes (Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Cancun and Montego Bay); and airlines increasing capacity of seats available on their flights from PHL.
Here are some travel tips for those that are flying from PHL during Memorial Day weekend and all summer:
Before arriving at PHL:
- Know where to park (phl.org/parking). On-site parking is available in PHL’s garages and Economy Lot. The Economy Lot shuttle operates 24 hours a day, taking passengers to and from check-in and baggage claim areas.
- Sign up for email/text alerts and download airlines’ apps for the latest flight updates. Weather can impact flights to and from PHL, even when the weather is clear in Philadelphia. Passengers should check with their airlines for flight status.
- Know what you can take through the TSA checkpoint. TSA travel tips can be found here: tsa.gov/travel/security-screening.
At the Airport:
- TSA Checkpoints:
- Arrive two hours prior to boarding time for domestic flights, three hours for international flights.
- All PHL TSA checkpoints are open. Passengers can go through any checkpoint and access all PHL terminals. Free shuttle bus service is available between Terminal F and Terminals A-B and between Terminal F and Terminals C-D.
- Designated TSA Pre-Check Only lanes are available at Terminal A-East, Terminal C and Terminal D/E Checkpoints only. Hours of operation for all TSA checkpoints can be found here: phl.org/flights/security-information/checkpoint-hours
- Guest Experience:
- There are more than 170 PHL Food & Shops stores, restaurants and services open throughout the airport, including many local favorites, like the recently opened Sabrina’s in Terminal C. Hours of operation for restaurants and shops can be found at philamarketplace.com.
- Guests can visit orderatphl.com to order food from select restaurants for pick-up in the terminals.
- The PHL Volunteer Navigator Team is available at information desks every day from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. to answer guests’ questions. The Navigators’ team is available in person at information desks or virtually via computers at information desks 24/7.
- PHL has several lounges open for members including the American Airlines Admirals Club in A-East, B/C and F; British Airways Galleries Club Lounge in A-West; American Express Centurion Lounge in A-West; the Delta Sky Club in the D/E Connector; and the United Club in the C/D Link. Hours are available at phl.org/at-phl/services-and-amenities/lounges-and-concierge-services.
- Information about all PHL services and amenities can be found here: phl.org/at-phl/services-and-amenities
Meeting Passengers:
- If you are picking up passengers, take advantage of the free cell phone lot, located one minute from all baggage claim areas.
- Non-ticketed guests can also register for a free Wingmate Guest pass to greet their arriving passenger, spend more time with their relative or friend prior to their departure, or assist passengers with special needs. For details, visit phl.org/wingmate
Passengers traveling to Philadelphia via PHL for the first time (or the first time in a long time) can check out a helpful arrivals video on our YouTube channel.
