Agonizing over the stress of having to deal with a short layover in Phoenix soon? Don’t be. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is one of the easiest airports in the United States to make short connections at. You’ll be fine.
Domestic connections can be made in little as 40 minutes at PHX as long as you stay within the same terminal. International connections can be made in about an hour and a half. Add 1 hour to both scenarios if a terminal change is necessary.
My personal record for a layover in Phoenix stands at 34 minutes. Yes, there was some OJ Simpson-style running involved, and I may have been looking disheveled as I arrived at the gate, but gosh darn it – I made it.
The reason why short layovers are ok in Phoenix
Once you pass a security checkpoint at the Phoenix airport, you’ll have access to all gates in that specific terminal. And since there are only two terminals at PHX (Terminal 3 and Terminal 4), the chances of you having to re-clear security is almost non-existent if you’re flying the same airline. As a matter of fact, it’s the exact same reason why you can do a short layover in the Orlando airport. Efficient terminal design FTW.
Walking from one end of Terminal 3 to the other can be done in less than 5 minutes. Walking from one end of terminal 4 to the other can be done in less than 10 minutes (at a brisk pace).
The moving walkways in the corridors between concourses in Terminal 4 will be a huge help to get you through this airport quickly. Use them to your advantage!
What is the minimum layover for domestic flights in Phoenix?
As I already mentioned, 40 minute domestic connections at PHX are a piece of cake if you’re not changing terminals. However, plan for an hour and 40 minutes if you have to change terminals. If you’re flying the same airline, you won’t have to change terminals.
The trick to navigating a tight connection at PHX is to keep moving and avoid distractions. As tempting as it may be to stop and pick up a 2000-calorie Cinnabon before your flight to El Paso, you must keep moving.
What is the minimum layover for international flights in Phoenix?
There is no dedicated international terminal at PHX. British Airways usually operates out of terminal 4, while Lufthansa and Air Canada operate out of terminal 3.
This isn’t a guarantee though, and there’s always a chance that you won’t know what terminal your international flight will be departing from until you arrive at the airport. That being said, here are the connection times you can expect:
Connecting TO an international flight
Connecting to an international flight in Phoenix is exactly how it is connecting to a domestic flight. The only difference is that you need to allow extra time to be onboard aircraft earlier than you would need to be for a domestic flight. Therefore, I would advise a minimum one hour layover if you’re connecting to an international flight at PHX if you don’t have to change terminals. Plan for two hours if you do.
Connecting FROM an international flight
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport doesn’t receive very many international flights on a daily basis, so getting through the customs and immigration process is relatively simple.
An hour and a half is the minimum connection time you’ll need to go from an international flight to a domestic flight in Phoenix (if you don’t have to change terminals). If a terminal change is necessary, plan for two and a half hours.
If that sounds excessive, keep in mind that there are major International airports in the US (with much more international traffic) that aren’t as efficient as PHX. For example, minimum connection times for international to domestic flights at SFO are about double what they are in Phoenix.
When it comes to international flights in and out of the Phoenix airport, the most important thing to remember is this: find out ahead of time which terminal your flights will be arriving and departing from. This will save you a lot of confusion once you arrive.
Making international connections in Phoenix is exactly like making a short layover in Detroit. There is no dedicated international terminal, so it can be confusing trying to figure out where you need to be.
A brief overview of the terminal layout at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport is one of those “small town” US airports that got big by accident. Although it sometimes feels far too overcrowded inside, it’s actually very efficiently designed. Props to the original designers for thinking ahead.
Note that there is no inter-terminal train here which will whisk you from one end to the other in air-conditioned comfort. It’s not needed, as this is an extremely walkable airport with a simple terminal design. You won’t get lost in this place.
Travel time between all terminals at PHX
I can’t count the number of times that I have walked the entire length of Terminal 4 at the Phoenix airport (from end to end) between flights. Although it’s not my home airport, I’ve been there enough to feel like I know it like the back of my hand.
Based on that experience, here is how long it usually takes me to walk from certain parts of the airport to the other:
From Terminal 3 to:
- One end of Terminal 3 to the other: 5 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse A: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
- Terminal 4 / Concourse B: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
- Terminal 4 / Concourse C: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
- Terminal 4 / Concourse D: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
From Terminal 4 / Concourse A to:
- Terminal 4 / Concourse B: 3 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse C: 6 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse D: 9 minutes
- Terminal 3: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
From Terminal 4 / Concourse B to:
- Terminal 4 / Concourse A: 3 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse C: 3 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse D: 6 minutes
- Terminal 3: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
From Terminal 4 / Concourse C to:
- Terminal 4 / Concourse A: 6 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse B: 3 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse D: 3 minutes
- Terminal 3: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
From Terminal 4 / Concourse D to:
- Terminal 4 / Concourse A: 9 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse B: 6 minutes
- Terminal 4 / Concourse C: 3 minutes
- Terminal 3: 1 hour (you’ll need to re-clear security)
Note that all of these times are assuming that you’re walking at a fairly decent pace. Add several minutes if you’ve got young children with you. Add a couple more if they’re ornery and hungry.
How long of a layover do you need in Phoenix for a no-stress connection?
Personally, I try to avoid short layovers in Phoenix if I can. Not because it’s a stressful place, but because it’s a really nice airport that’s fun to hang out in. There’s lots of people and plane watching to do, and there are a wide variety of restaurants to keep my hunger at bay.
My ideal time for a layover in Phoenix is 2 hours. That gives me plenty of time to walk around and stretch my legs, as well as to grab a bite to eat before my connection.
Note that I’d want 3 hours coming off of an international flight connecting to a domestic flight (if I’m not changing terminals). If I am, 4 hours would be perfect.
Tips for making really short layovers at Phoenix
Of all the airport connection time advice that I’ve given over the years, it’s really easy for me to say good things about the Phoenix airport.
Short layovers are extremely easy no matter what airline you’re flying (international or domestic). That being said, here are some tips to help you get through the airport as quickly as possible:
- Take advantage of the moving walkways between the individual concourses in Terminal 4. Although crowded at times, they’re extremely fast and they can definitely help you save time from one gate to another.
- If possible, try to fly the same airline. By doing so, you’ll have a much higher chance of your connecting flight being near to your arrival gate (and you won’t have to change terminals).
- Avoid trying to walk down the middle of the concourses during peak times. People tend to congregate in the middle of these concourses, and you’ll find that you’ll be able to walk in a much faster pace along the walls. Oh – and be sure to hold your breath as you skirt past the bathrooms.
Final thoughts: With enough determination, it wouldn’t be all that impossible to break my 35 minute connection time record at PHX. I’d consider you an absolute hero for doing so.
Rocco
I am trying to book some AA award flights from DEN to SJC. There are three different itineraries available, each with a 25 minute layover in PHX, which is simply ridiculous. Since the doors close 15 minutes before departure, you really have just 10 minutes to run between gates. The average time to deplane an A319/320 is about 10 minutes. So, if you are sitting in cattle class, you might step off your inbound flight just as your outbound is closing the doors, leaving you…sh*t outta luck. It seems that all airlines are increasingly attempting to force passengers into tight connections. I have seen 40 minute connections at ORD and IAH, which is just as risky as 25 minutes at PHX. Personally, I prefer a minimum layover of 60 minutes, and longer at behemoth airports like ORD. This provides a comfortable cushion to reach my connecting gate, even if my inbound was a little late. Also on those rare occasions when I check a bag, it increases the chances that the bags will also make the connection.
Scott (SANspotter)
I totally agree Rocco! There’s no way I’d voluntarily book a 25 minute connection at PHX. I’m sure it’s possible (as I recently pulled off a 30 minute connection at ORD), but that if far too stressful for my liking. I’m not even sure why the airlines even allow it, since it seems like it’s more of a problem for them if they have to rebook passengers on later flights.
Cindy
I’m flying into Phoenix on Southwest and out of Phoenix on Delta, which will require a terminal change from terminal 4 to 3. I’ll have to get my check bags from the southwest baggage claim area, check in with delta, pass through security, and get to the gate. Is this possible in 1 hour and 25 minutes?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Cindy – an hour and a half will be tight (you’re very likely to use every minute of it). It’s doable though! Try to get a seat near the front of the plane for your arrival into PHX. That’ll save you lots of time.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask people in the security line if you can squeeze in ahead of them if you really are in danger of missing your flight. Most won’t mind.
It’s really important not to miss your connection though. Since they are separate tickets, Delta won’t compensate you if Southwest Airlines makes you late. Good luck!
Jason
In the article you said “Be prepared to change terminals if you’re flying American Airlines.” however, AA flies out of Terminal 4 exclusively, so you will most definitely not need to change terminals.
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks Jason! You are correct – I just went back and made the edit.
Adam
according to my itinerary for Jan 2024, I will arrive in PHX T4 concourse unknown and have 27 minutes to make my connecting international flight in T2. Hopeless?
Hard to believe that AA would allow me to book this if they didn’t think it was possible.
Scott (SANspotter)
Wow! I can’t believe they let you book that as a single itinerary. As a matter fact, that’s the shortest amount of time for a layover that I’ve ever seen at any airport anywhere in the world.
That said, I can vouch for AA’s optimism. Making connections from one American Airlines flight to another at PHX is a piece of cake. The only thing that could screw things up is if your inbound flight is even a few minutes late. Good luck!
Thomas Vogelius
My daughter at 17 are flying from Portland to Sioux falls with AA having only 29 minutes in Phoenix. Would she need to pick up her own luggage then? Or do they take care of that?
Is it even doable?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Thomas! Yeah, it’s going to be tight, but it’s a perfectly makeable connection. And since she’ll be flying American Airlines all the way, her luggage will transfer automatically. Have her study the terminal maps before she departs!
Sean
Hi Scott. I’m flying American Airlines from Los Angeles to Heathrow and there is a transfer at PHX. This was all booked on the same airline website. They give me a 1hr 43 layover between flights. Does that sound realistic? I take it I do my international check in at LAX?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sean – there are no extra steps to take when departing the US on an international flight. It’s exactly the same as flying domestic. It’s only when you arrive back in the US from abroad that you’ll have to go through customs and immigration.
1 hour and 43 minutes is going to be way more than enough time. It’s probably even going to be enough time for a full sit down meal before your flight. Have a great trip!
NN
Flying domestically from SJC to DTW via PHX on AA. Arrival into PHX is at 8:03 am and departing for DTW at 8:57 am. Is this enough time with a 9 year old and carry on luggage. Thx.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi! Yes, 1 hour is more than enough time to make an American Airlines domestic to domestic connection at PHX. You might have to change concourses, but you won’t have to go through security again to reach your connecting gate. You’ll have plenty of time to spare, even if your inbound flight arrives slightly behind schedule. Have a great trip!
Isabel
Hi Scott, I am travelling to Las Vegas from Heathrow with AA. I have a layover of 1hour and 8 mins in Sky Harbour thoug . I travel light, only handbagagge, but I guess I must clear customs in Phoenix. Would it be enough 1h and 8 mins?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Isabel! That’s going to be a bit tight even with carry-on luggage only. However, there are two things that’ll help to keep the stress levels low:
First, there are very few international arrivals in the Phoenix on any given day. This means that the lines to get through passport control and customs will be relatively short.
Second, there are like a million flights between Phoenix and Las Vegas on any given day (give or take lol), so missing your connection won’t be an issue at all. You won’t have to wait long to be put on another flight.
Have a great trip!
Meredith
I’m wondering if you have any insight regarding transfers for passengers needing wheelchair assistance to get from one gate to the other at PHX. I’m looking at booking a flight on American in November going EWR to PHX in the evening with a 33 minute layover before continuing on PHX to PSP, but I’m terrified that will not be enough time, even though the wheelchair assistance people are usually lined up on the jetway as you deplane at most airports. Unfortunately, that is the last flight out of PHX to PSP that night on any airline, so if I were to miss my connection, it would be a HUGE problem! The really stupid thing is that AA has the same set of flights every single day with the first one leaving Newark almost half an hour earlier, so that there is normally a 57 minute layover, but for some bizarre reason, on the one day I want to fly, they changed it. I don’t understand. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Meredith – good questions. One of the most underrated benefits of needing wheelchair assistance is that the person assisting you can radio ahead to your connecting flight to let them know that you’re on your way. Not only that, being the last flight of the night to PSP, they’d likely be far more inclined to hold the flight until all checked in passengers have been accounted for.
I understand your concern though. I’d be nervous too, to the point where I’d likely choose an earlier flight into PHX (even if it’s slightly more inconvenient). Good luck!
Mark
Greetings Scott, BAW from LHR to TUS, with a connection in PHX (July 2024). #289 uses gate B25 then we connect to a SKW flight (AAL code share, same terminal) to TUS. Could you walk me thru that connection, 90 minute layover. Retired air traffic controller here.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mark! 90 minutes is probably going to be a little tight, but international to domestic connections at PHX are relatively easy compared to other major airports IMHO.
The first thing you’re going to do is passport control. Once past that, you’ll have to retrieve any checked luggage from the baggage carousel before going through customs. Customs is relatively quick and easy by the way – most of the time it simply consists of walking past US border agents on your way out the door. They will stop you if they want to talk, but most of the time they will wave you right on past.
There will most likely be a baggage recheck area immediately after you exit customs. Since your baggage will already be tagged to TUS, the only thing you’ll have to do is hand it over to them. There will be no need for document verification or checking in.
From there, find the nearest security checkpoint to get back into the terminal. All terminals are connected behind the security checkpoint at PHX, so it won’t matter which one you enter. Have a great trip!
Maria
Is 1hour 16min connection time in Phoenix for a AA flight to Puerto Vallarta from Tucson enough? The ticket is AA all the way. Do we have to go through go through security again?
We’re fast walkers. Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Maria! 1 hour and 16 minutes will be plenty. You won’t have to go through any security checkpoints, and walking from gate to gate shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes and a fairly brisk walking pace. Enjoy Mexico!
Jill
Why does AA book connecting flightS with a 38 minute lay over? I’m flying from Portland to Puerto Vallarta in two weeks and I am now worried about making the connection. Its the first time I have ever booked a flight with American sure hope it wasn’t a big mistake.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jill – 40 minutes is not likely to be an issue. You’re not going to have to go through any security checkpoints to reach your connecting gate, so you’ll be fine even if your inbound flight is a few minutes late.
Audrey
Hi Scott, my family is traveling back from Mexico to Reno with a 40 min connection in PHX on American Airlines. Will we have passport control in PHX during our 40 min connection or in Reno? Doesn’t seem like 40 min would be enough time for passport control and then security again. Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Audrey – yeah, there’s no way you’re going to get through passport control and customs within that amount of time. I highly recommend changing your flight if you can.
Jennifer
Funny comment about the Cinnabon on the way to ELP because that’s where I’m going. Your info was very helpful about the short connection time. I was debating arriving into ELP at 1200 pm or 6:47 pm. I would prefer earlier but was worried about a 46 min connection time. Hopefully my plane won’t be late!
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah Jennifer, 46 minutes should be OK as long as your inbound flight isn’t massively delayed. You’ll even have plenty of time to stop for a Cinnabon along the way. 🙂
Docket
I’m flying domestic flight 6351 into PHX terminal 4 gate A1 and flying international flight 1038 out from PHX terminal 4 gate A8 to Mexico. Gates A1 and A8 are assumed based on current schedules and both are in the same concourse. I only have a scheduled 35 mins layover and no checked baggages. Will I have enough time to make the connecting flight? Do I need to go through any customs during the layover before connecting to the international flight to Mexico? If so, where is the customs located there?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Docket – 35 minutes is going to be tight, but you won’t have any issues as long as your inbound flight is on time. Connecting to an international flight from a domestic flight in Phoenix is extremely easy. You will not have to go through security or customs (or even passport control). Simply walk from one gate to the next.
Alicia Nugen
Hello, I’m leaving Tucson and will arrive in Phoenix at 7:50am and my connecting flight to Philadelphia is leaving at 8:20am. I’m going from B1 Gate to A20 Gate. Am I going to have enough time or am I going to miss my flight?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Alicia! That’s a tight connection – but you’ll have no problems as long as your flight from Tucson arrives on time. Getting from the B to A gates will be relatively quick as long as you take advantage of the moving walkways connecting both concourses. Good luck!
Brenda
I will be coming from Cabo San Lucas to Phoenix. Is 1 hr and 32 min adequate time to catch my next flight without it being too stressful. I’m having trouble finding flights with more time at most airports.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Brenda – that should be enough time as long as your flight from Cabo arrives on schedule. It’s probably going to be a little tight (and maybe a little stressful), but you will more than likely be OK. I highly recommend going carry-on luggage only though – it’ll save you a lot of time when going through customs.
Laura
I’m looking at an American Airlines flight from Reno to London Heathrow through Phoenix. My options for layovers in PHX are 2 hours and 5 hours. Is 2 hours too short? Which do you recommend?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Laura! Two hours will be more than enough time IMHO, since you’re not going to have to go through security (or any other checkpoints) to reach your connecting gate to LHR. Five hours would be way too much!
Rachel S.
Just want to say thank you so much for putting this together! Super detailed and helpful!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Rachel! Glad to help.
Edward
HI, I’m flying London to SLC via PHX. I have 1hr 55 layover. Do you think that’s enough time to get through immigration. Both flights are T4, Gate B.
Many thx,
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Edward – yeah, two hours is plenty of time to make an international to domestic connection at PHX. It’ll be a piece a cake – I promise!
Charlie
Arriving at Gate A29 and connecting with a flight at Gate B25, is an hour enough time to to get to the other flight, will have children in tow. Thanx
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Charlie – yeah, that won’t be an issue at all. You can move freely between the A and B gates without having to go through security, and there are moving walkways between them which will help speed things up. You’ve got nothing to worry about.