August 2025
90 Years at PHX: 1980s
As part of our year-long 90th anniversary celebration, we’re looking back at the previous decades in our history.
The end of the Cold War. MTV. Madonna. The Rubik’s Cube. Video Games. Big Hair. The 1980s featured many notable icons and trends. It also came with more change. In fact, the late 1970s brought changes to Phoenix Sky Harbor with the opening of the new Terminal 3.
The aviation industry, however, also saw changes with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. This act meant that the government would no longer have control over airfares or where new airlines could fly. It paved the way for new airlines and more industry competition.
City of Phoenix Aviation Department employee Allen G. said the Airline Deregulation Act made a big difference. “Before traveling was more expensive,” he said. “With this new regulation, travel became more accessible and airlines could come and go and people could afford to fly more.”
As a result, new airlines began operations. For example, in 1983, America West Airlines became the first airline to officially call Phoenix Sky Harbor its home when it began service here.
Allen said in the weeks leading up to America West’s first flight, they parked a Boeing 737 at the gate to show employees and the community they were ready. “It was really exciting to see the new airline start up,” he said. “Lots of excitement was building for employees.”
United Airlines brought its first Boeing 767 to Phoenix and Eastern Airlines initiated its first Boeing 757 service in PHX. In 1984, Emery Air Cargo inaugurated DC-8-70 jet service from PHX. It claimed to be the quietest operating cargo jet in the world.
Seeing new aircraft coming in was a highlight for employees. Allen spoke about people lining up to see new inaugural flights such as America West’s Phoenix to Honolulu flight, VIP visits, aircraft from foreign countries and even the Concorde.
Mike P., who was an airport agent for United Airlines throughout the 1980s, echoed that sentiment. He said he remembered when the Boeing 777 first came into service and was conducting heat testing in Arizona. “We also had the opportunity to ground handle the Concorde again at the Ragsdale terminal in the 80s,” he said. “Quite an aircraft.”
The decade also saw renovations and upgrades at PHX. 1984 saw the complete renovation of Phoenix Sky Harbor’s north runway. Other upgrades that year included the remodel of the Terminal 2 lobby and the completion of the second level of Terminal 2’s parking garage.
Phoenix Sky Harbor strived to be more active in the community, and in 1985 entered its first float in the Fiesta Bowl Parade. The airport also marked its 50th anniversary and celebration festivities included the closure of the north runway to launch 100 hot air balloons.
In 1986, Phoenix-based McClain Airlines began service, and in 1987, Cutter Aviation opened a new $4.5 million facility on the south side of the airport that featured the original relocated Terminal 1 control tower.
With a focus on highlighting Arizona’s art and artists and bringing something unique to travelers, the Phoenix Airport Museum opened in 1988. Though art had been part of the airport since the 1960s, this marked the official start of the Museum Program. Today, the Phoenix Airport Museum has become one of the largest airport art programs in the country, with more than 1,000 works in the permanent collection, an extensive aviation history archive and more than 40 exhibition spaces.
By the late 1980s, it was evident that Phoenix Sky Harbor’s growth would continue, and additional terminal space was needed to efficiently handle operations. In October 1989, a groundbreaking was held for Terminal 4, and by November 1990, the terminal was open.
Captions: (Top) America West inaugural flight 1983; (Middle) The City of Phoenix Aviation Department’s first Fiesta Bowl Parade float; (Bottom) Balloons for the airport’s 50th anniversary.
For more information on our 90th anniversary, visit https://www.skyharbor.com/90years
