May 19, 2026

Phoenix Sky Harbor Announces Game Plan for Summer Travel

Summer travel kickoff begins Memorial Day weekend

PHOENIX – Summer travel season unofficially starts with Memorial Day weekend. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport anticipates busy vacation travel periods with summer break and holidays. Also, with the international soccer tournament coming up this summer, fans will be heading out from Phoenix Sky Harbor to various locations across North America to catch their favorite teams or even using Phoenix as their base!

We consulted our coaches - also known as our Navigator volunteers - for the best summer travel tips:

Keep your eye on the ball: Reserve parking ahead of time

If you’re planning on parking at the airport, check parking availability and reserve your spot in advance at skyharbor.com/parking. Arrive early to give yourself enough time to enter the parking facilities and find a space, even with a reservation.

Stay on your toes: Arrive early and check TSA Security Checkpoint wait times

Check your flight status before leaving home. Arrive two hours before your flight for domestic flights, three hours before international flights. You can check the TSA Security Checkpoint wait times for both terminals on skyharbor.com, as well as on flight information screens in the terminals.

Avoid being offside: Be REAL ID ready

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is enforcing REAL ID-compliant licenses, state IDs, or other acceptable forms of identification. Be sure to allow extra time at the checkpoint for verification. TSA has introduced a $45 fee for travelers without REAL ID. Learn more from the TSA.  

Take the free kick: Use PHX RESERVE to reserve a spot in line

You can reserve a spot in line at security up to six days in advance using PHX RESERVE at skyharbor.com/phxreserve It’s free!

Counterattack: Use PHX Sky Train^® Stations and Cell Phone Waiting Lots

Use the 44th Street PHX Sky Train^® Station on the east side of the airport and the 24th Street PHX Sky Train^® Station on the west end to avoid terminal curb congestion and roadway traffic. They’re both easily reachable from highways and major streets, plus Valley Metro Rail is easily accessible at 44th Street. Visit our PHX Sky Train^® webpage for more. If you are driving in to the airport to pick up, use one of our three Cell Phone Waiting Lots. 

Drop off your gear with Early Bag Check

This pro strategy allows you to drop your checked bags at the Rental Car Center and East Economy Parking, before boarding the PHX Sky Train^® to the terminals. Visit the Early Bag Check webpage to see which domestic airlines are participating. There are no additional fees, but regular airline baggage fees still apply.  

Gear up: Get a Compassion Cacti™ lanyard

Travelers with special needs and caregivers may request a Compassion Cacti™ lanyard. This green lanyard signals to airport staff that the traveler may need additional time or assistance. Passengers can also schedule a Navigator Guide to assist throughout the travel process for extra support. See more information online about the Compassion Cacti™ lanyard and the airport’s Compassion Corner.

Use your keeper: Ask Amelia

Ask our new digital assistant AI tool, Amelia, to get quick answers to common airport-related questions about amenities, services, shops, parking and more. Amelia is available on the skyharbor.com homepage at any time for both desktop and mobile users.

Cleats and tweets: Stay connected

Follow Phoenix Sky Harbor on X @PHXSkyHarbor for real-time updates on airport conditions, roadway alerts and other important information. Hint: You can also message us directly through Facebook and Instagram.

Teamwork makes the dreamwork: Find our Navigators in purple

Navigator volunteer all-stars can be found in their purple vests throughout the airport. They help provide directions, information and friendly assistance for all passengers.

Whether you’re flying in or out of Phoenix Sky Harbor, find these travel tips and more at skyharbor.com/flying-from-phx/travel-tips.

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport^®, has an annual economic impact of more than $44 billion. On an average day, approximately 1,300 aircraft and more than 140,000 passengers arrive at and depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the airport.