Get ready to snap out of the winter doldrums- spring is here! Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is preparing to welcome thousands of travelers headed out of town as Spring Break season gets underway. Traveling April 10-20? You’ll be among the more than one million passengers PHL is projected to see in its terminals. 

PHL’s airline partners are offering plenty of flights to airport guests’ perennial favorite destinations, like Orlando, Cancun, and Miami, as well as recently announced warm weather vacation spots Costa Rica and Barbados. To explore everywhere PHL’s airline partners go nonstop from Philadelphia, check out the Where We Fly tool on phl.org.  

What do travelers need to know before heading to the airport?  

Getting to PHL:  

Driving? Reserve On-Site Parking Before Your Trip with Park PHL    

Save time looking for a parking space at PHL- reserve and pay for parking before take-off in PHL’s Economy Lot or with Park PHL Valet. (Guests are not required to reserve on-site parking.)  

The Economy Lot fee is $15 per day and the complimentary Economy Lot shuttle buses operate to/from the terminals 24 hours every day, including holidays. Park PHL Valet starts at $50 per day when booked online ($60 if not reserved). Check phl.org/parking/valet for parking deals. 

PHL also offers more than 11,000 long-term on-site parking spots in its garages, which are connected to the terminals via pedestrian bridges. PHL’s garage rate is $28 per day.   

Prior to heading to the airport, guests should also check the local traffic and transit reports to avoid delays en route to PHL.   

Flight Check-In and Status Updates   

Guests should visit their airlines’ websites for questions about check-in, baggage, traveling with pets and flight details.  Passengers should also download their airlines’ apps or register for text/email updates for the latest flight statuses. Many airlines have also moved up boarding times for flights so be sure to be at the gate and ready to board according to your airline’s published timelines.  

TSA Security Checks   

The “airport theory” of arriving at the airport 15-20 minutes before boarding is never a risk worth taking—especially during busy travel periods. Increased passenger volume could mean longer checkpoint wait times.  The TSA advises all guests to arrive at the airport two hours before boarding times for domestic flights and three hours before international flights to avoid the risk of missing their planes. PHL’s Queue Management System provides passengers with real-time updates of all security checkpoint wait times via in-terminal digital signage and on the phl.org homepage.  

Guests enrolled in TSA Pre-Check can use dedicated security lanes at the Terminal A-East (from 4:15 am-5 pm), Terminal C (from 4:30 am-8 pm) and Terminal D/E (from 3:45 am-8 pm) checkpoints for expedited security checks.  Passengers can access all PHL terminals through any TSA checkpoint.  

Passengers are also reminded to learn what items can be taken through the checkpoint and what needs to be packed in checked baggage before they get to the airport. Items like firearms are not allowed in carry-on bags. A complete list of what to check and what can be packed in carry-on bags can be found here and via the free MyTSA app.   

What’s Open?

Once through security, guests will find more than 150 PHL Food & Shops food and retail concessions in all terminals open and ready to serve them, including local favorites Sabrina’s Café, Bud and Marilyn’s, Chickie's & Pete's, Elixr and La Colombe. A list of concessionaires and operating hours can be found here. Guests can also have their food ready for pick-up by pre-ordering from select PHL Food & Shops merchants through OrderAtPHL.com.  

Airport Amenities  

Lounges/Clubs  

The new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club recently opened in PHL’s D/E Connector. The airport also offers several additional club options for guests, including American Airlines Admirals Clubs, the American Express Centurion Lounge, British Airways Galleries Club Lounge, Delta SkyClub and United Club. Membership is required to access airline and the Chase Sapphire and American Express Centurion lounges. Priority Pass holders can access Be Relax Spa and Minute Suites.   

PHL’s Wingmate Guest Pass  

Not flying, but want to escort a family member to their gate or access the airport to explore? The Wingmate Pass is available for the personal use of non-ticketed airport guests that would like to access PHL’s terminals. The pass permits guests to assist family and friends to their gate, greet loved ones arriving on domestic flights, and discover PHL’s extensive offerings, including more than 150 restaurants, bars and shops, and award-winning arts exhibitions. Guests can apply for the Wingmate Pass here.   

Beginning May 7, 2025, Wingmate Pass holders will need to show a REAL ID, valid passport or other TSA-approved ID to enter PHL. For information, visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. 

Passengers with Accessibility Needs  

Passengers in need of wheelchairs or electric carts should make arrangements through their airlines prior to their day of departure.   

PHL offers Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyards to raise awareness and increase accessibility for people with non-visible disabilities. This program helps others identify when support may be needed for those with disabilities such as memory loss, anxiety, or other conditions that may not be immediately obvious to other people. Lanyards are available at information counters. Guests can also email their names and addresses to accessibility@phl.org two weeks prior to their departure to request lanyards via mail.   

TSA Cares helps passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and individuals needing additional assistance better prepare for the security screening process.  

 Explore Art at the Airport 

For more than 25 years, PHL’s renowned Art Exhibitions Program has showcased the work of local artists in every terminal and baggage claims. Be sure to arrive at PHL early to allow for enough time to enjoy the exhibits.   

Arriving Passengers   

Guests needing transportation after retrieving their luggage should note the following:  

Ride App pick-up zones (Zone 7) are located on the South Commercial Road outside of each baggage claim area. Exit through the doors onto the S. Commercial Rd. and continue to follow signs for Ride App/Zone 7.  

Rental car agency shuttles pick-up from Zone 2 on Arrivals Road.  

Information on taxis, hotel and parking courtesy shuttles, limousine and charter bus pick-up can be found here.  

Platforms for SEPTA’s Airport Regional Rail Line and Bus Routes 37, 108 and 115 are also accessible from all baggage claims.   

Passengers should not accept rides from drivers outside of the designated pick-up zones, those that approach them inside the airport or cannot be identified as an authorized rideshare or taxi driver. Certified rideshare and taxi drivers will not enter PHL and approach travelers in need of transportation.    

Drivers meeting arriving passengers should take advantage of PHL’s free Cell Phone Waiting Lot, conveniently located one minute from the baggage claim areas or park in the short-term parking lots across from the baggage claims.