About Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Philadelphia International Airport, known by its code PHL, is the main gateway to Philadelphia and the wider Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania. It opened as a municipal airport in 1940 and is run today by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Aviation. The airport handles a broad mix of domestic and international flights, and it is a major hub for American Airlines in the northeastern United States.

Where Philadelphia Airport sits and how far it is from Center City

The airport lies in the southwest corner of Philadelphia, with part of the site extending into Tinicum Township in Delaware County. Center City Philadelphia is roughly 11 km (7 miles) away. Without heavy traffic, the drive is short, which makes PHL a convenient airport for visitors heading downtown.

Terminals and facilities at PHL

PHL has six terminals, lettered A to F, linked airside so travellers can walk between most of them. Terminal A handles most international departures and arrivals, while Terminal F serves many regional flights. Inside you will find:

• Free Wi-Fi across the terminals
• Shops, restaurants and duty-free outlets
• Airline lounges, including an American Airlines Admirals Club
• Several parking garages and an economy lot

Airlines and routes from Philadelphia

American Airlines operates most flights at the airport, with domestic routes and long-haul services to Europe and beyond. A range of other carriers also fly here, including Frontier Airlines, which has a focus operation at PHL, as well as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Because the route map changes by season, it pays to check current options when you plan.

Getting between PHL and Philadelphia

Public transport is straightforward. The SEPTA Airport Line regional rail stops at the terminals and runs to Center City and 30th Street Station, where you can connect with Amtrak and NJ Transit trains. SEPTA city buses also serve the airport. If you drive, Interstate 95 and Pennsylvania Route 291 pass right by. Taxis, ride-hailing pickups and rental car shuttles are available outside baggage claim.

Things to see near Philadelphia

Philadelphia's historic core is a short trip from the airport. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell sit in Independence National Historical Park, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its famous front steps, is close to the Schuylkill River. Food lovers often head to Reading Terminal Market, a busy indoor market in Center City.

Tips for flying from Philadelphia Airport

Check which terminal your airline uses before you set off, because PHL's terminals stretch along a long frontage road. Allow extra time for international departures from Terminal A. If you are taking the train, SEPTA trains run on a fixed timetable, so look it up ahead of an early flight.

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