March 12, 2010
While most think Thanksgiving and Christmas are the busiest travel times, that’s not the case. March and April are the busiest months at Sky Harbor. This is largely due to spring training and school breaks, when travelers are both coming to and leaving the Valley.
No particular week is the busiest throughout this period, but Fridays and Sundays continue to be even busier than the rest of the week. On many days, an estimated 110,000 passengers will travel through Sky Harbor, about 25 percent more than a typical day of 90,000.
Note that road construction around the Valley may cause delays, so passengers should allow extra time to get to the Airport.
Travel tips for spring break:
- Check flight status before coming to the Airport and arrive two hours before your flight departs if you are parking in remote lots, checking bags or traveling internationally.
- Call Sky Harbor’s 24-hour parking hotline at 602-273-4545 for updated information on parking lot and garage availability.
- Smoking is only permitted in designated outside smoking areas.
- Have your claim check or ID ready at baggage claim when you return to Phoenix so that if you are approached by staff, you won’t be delayed looking for this information.
- Mark your bags clearly so you recognize them immediately, and they stand out as unique to you. Tie a colored ribbon on your bag for easier ID.
- Most liquids and gels brought through the checkpoint must be in 3 oz containers or less, carried in a zip top bag, one bag per passenger and screened separately. Larger quantities of medically necessary liquids are allowed only at the discretion of TSA screeners.
- Food may be carried through security and beverages may be purchased past security and brought onto the aircraft.
- Use the cell phone lots to wait for arriving passengers and avoid circling the terminals.
- Wear shoes that are easy to remove at the checkpoint.
- Remove large electronics from carry-on bags and place them in their own TSA bin.
- Wherever you go in the country, reserve your rental car in advance to ensure availability.
Media Contact:
| Sky Harbor Public Information Office | 602-273-3300 |