PHX Media Kit: At Phoenix Sky Harbor
Information below describes some key amenities and programs at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
PHX Sky Train®
In 2009, construction began on the PHX Sky Train® between Valley Metro Rail, East Economy parking, and Terminal 4. Stage 1 opened April 8, 2013 and is 1.7 miles long. Stage 1A soon followed, extending the PHX Sky Train® 0.7 miles from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3. It began passenger service in December 2014. These two phases included four stations and three miles of dual-lane guideway. The project included a maintenance and storage facility for the 18-vehicle fleet.
The PHX Sky Train® final phase, Stage 2, included the construction of two new stations and 2.5 miles of dual lane guideway. It opened to the public on Dec. 20, 2022.
The Stage 2 stations include the Rental Car Center and 24th Street, near 24th Street and Buckeye Road. The 24th Street Station includes more than 1,600 additional economy parking spaces, along with additional curbside pick-up and drop-off areas for passengers.
Stage 2 also added another 24 cars to the fleet enabling a three-car configuration to be used. With each car able to hold 53 passengers, this allows more than 150 passengers to use each three-car train.
The trains run continuously in both directions 24 hours a day, seven days a week and arrive as frequently as every three minutes. They travel at an average speed of 23 mph, but can go up to 38 mph.
In total, it takes about 13 minutes for the trains to travel the five miles from the 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station to the Rental Car Center Station.
Initial projections indicated about 2.5 million passengers were expected to ride the train in its first year (7,000/day). However, ridership exceeded expectations with a daily average of about 14,000 riders.
Anticipated daily ridership with the opening of Stage 2 was about 35,000 daily riders. That number was exceeded with more than 39,000 daily riders in 2025. In the future with airport growth, there are expected to be about 79,000 daily passengers.
The driverless train runs on an electrically powered, center-rail guideway and facilities. After earning Gold Certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for Stages 1 and 1A, the airport sought a different certification for Stage 2. This project received Gold Certification through the Envision program for anticipated reductions in greenhouse gases as well as several measures designed to reduce operational energy needs by 59 percent.
View more info on the PHX Sky Train® page.
Accessibility
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the most accessible airports in the world for people with physical and hidden disabilities, thanks to the guidance provided by the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues.
As part of these modifications to ensure the airport’s accessibility, both terminals have curb cuts; automatic doors; elevators; ramped access to all lobbies and gate areas; designated areas on inner curbs for vehicles with disability plates to load or unload; and wheelchair accessible telephones, automatic teller machines, accessible (family) restrooms with caregiver access and drinking fountains.
There are services to support customers who are blind or have low vision while they travel. The Aira app provides real time visual interpreting and wayfinding assistance throughout Terminal 3, Terminal 4, the PHX Sky Train® and the Rental Car Center. The ReBokeh app uses live camera filters to adjust contrast, color, zoom, and lighting and its AI feature provides personalized, real time visual support by answering questions about a user’s surroundings. ReBokeh is available to use throughout Phoenix Sky Harbor and also at Phoenix Deer Valley and Goodyear airports. Terminal 4 in Phoenix Sky Harbor has hearing loop technology at the D1–D18 gates that sends paging announcements directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants for clearer sound.
Additionally, Phoenix was among the first and largest cities to commit to joining Dementia Friendly America (DFA). The DFA program focuses on making everyday life easier to navigate for those affected by dementia or another hidden disability. Programs offered at Phoenix Sky Harbor include, the award-winning Dementia Friendly Air Travel Workshop to help caregivers of those with dementia better understand the travel process, and the Compassion Cacti Lanyard Program. The special lanyard, worn around the neck, identifies a traveler as a person who experiences dementia, making it easier for airport staff to recognize them and offer assistance. The lanyard also gives travelers the ability to enter new, quiet areas that offer minimal distractions – something that can help avoid the agitation and confusion that can present itself when a person experiencing dementia is away from home. Passengers also can request a volunteer Navigator Support Guide for help.
The airport’s innovative initiative involves specific training, and other options that will make it easier and more comfortable for people experiencing dementia – and their families and traveling companions – to travel through the airport.
Phoenix Sky Harbor added a dementia-friendly safe space for people needing to escape the loud and stimulating crowds. The Sensory Room is located inside the Compassion Corner on Level 3 of Terminal 4.
Children or adults with an intellectual or developmental disability, or sensory issue may also visit the Sensory Room for a respite from the sensory overload that they might experience when in the airport environment. This private room is equipped with tables, chairs, puzzles and coloring books.
For additional information about accessibility services at Phoenix Sky Harbor, visit the Accessibility and Assistance and Special Needs pages.
Sustainability
At America's Friendliest Airport® we are committed to ensuring our airports are Future Friendly and enhance the communities we serve by placing a high emphasis on sustainability and resiliency. Our approach ensures we are responsibly mitigating our impacts and preparing for future challenges. From conserving water in our unique desert environment to reducing emissions and strengthening our infrastructure, we’re creating a more sustainable and resilient airport system—one that serves our passengers, protects our resources and supports our community for generations to come.
Phoenix Sky Harbor has been recognized by the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program with the Level 4 “Transformation” rating.
The Airport’s Sustainability & Resiliency Management Plan focuses on seven areas:
- Air & Climate—minimize emissions and adapt to changing climate conditions
- Energy—transition to renewable energy and minimize energy consumption
- Land Stewardship—encourage healthy ecosystems while reducing wildlife risks
- Waste—reduce waste generation and promote material circularity
- Water—protect water resources and minimize water consumption
- Business Practices—integrate sustainability and resiliency into our business practices
- Community—support our community of employees, business partners, passengers and neighbors
For more information and to see goals in each focus area, visit skyharbor.com/sustainability.
The City of Phoenix Aviation Department continues to strengthen our deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.
- In 2025, both Phoenix Deer Valley and Phoenix Goodyear airports for the first time were awarded Level 3 status in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.
- In 2024, the PHX Green Business Partner Program was introduced, encouraging airport partners to adopt eco-friendly initiatives. The program was honored with the 2025 Airports Going Green Award℠ - highlighting the airport’s efforts in innovation and leadership in aviation sustainability.
- Key sustainability achievements have included converting more than 11 acres of turf to xeriscaping, saving 5 million gallons of water annually; installing 1,600 low-flow restroom fixtures, which use 20% less water; and completing the all-electric PHX Sky Train® in 2022, which replaced 72 natural gas-powered shuttle buses, reducing associated emissions by nearly 5,000 tons and alleviating airport traffic congestion.
Phoenix Airport Museum
- There are more than 1,000 works of art in all media in the Phoenix Airport Museum collection.
- The airport started collecting art in the early 1960s with purchases made as the terminals were constructed.
- Exhibitions are at PHX, Deer Valley Airport and Goodyear Airport. At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the collections are throughout the Airport property from the 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station to the Rental Car Center.
The First of Many
Phoenix Sky Harbor continues to be a leader in innovation, achieving many recent firsts including:
- In December 2022, Phoenix Sky Harbor became the first airport in the world to offer travelers fully autonomous vehicle service as a means of transportation to and from the airport. Travelers can hail a Waymo straight from the terminal curbs, or from either the 24th Street or 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station.
- In November 2023, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was once again named the top airport in the nation among large airports by the Wall Street Journal. High scores were given for fewest flight cancellations, taxi out time, and rideshare fees, among other factors.