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United, Alaska among airlines moving terminals in Phoenix

Jan. 30, 2020
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5 min read
PHX Terminal 2
United, Alaska among airlines moving terminals in Phoenix
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Travelers flying through Phoenix Sky Harbor next week best take note of what terminal their flight departs from as the airport relocates five airlines to Terminal 3 ahead of the closing of Terminal 2.

Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Boutique Air, Contour Airlines and United Airlines will relocate to Terminal 3 between Monday, Feb. 3, and Thursday, Feb. 6, according to the Phoenix airport (PHX). Boutique moves on Monday, United on Tuesday, Alaska and Contour on Wednesday, and Air Canada on Thursday.

All but one of the carriers, plus Hawaiian Airlines, will operate from the rebuilt North Concourse, which has 10 gates. Boutique will operate from the South Concourse that opened a year ago.

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John McCain Terminal 3 in Phoenix reopened in 2019. (Image courtesy of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)
Air Canada, Alaska, Contour, Hawaiian Airlines and United will operate from the rebuilt North Concourse in Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport from next week. (Image by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

One notable change for United travelers: the airline will not have a lounge in Terminal 3, at least not initially. Its United Club in Terminal 2 will close when it moves, with a new 5,400 square-foot lounge in Terminal 3 not due to open for several months, United spokesman Jonathan Guerin told TPG.

The American Express Centurion Lounge that opened at Sky Harbor earlier this month is in Terminal 4 and not accessible inside security to passengers on flights departing Terminal 3.

The interior of the rebuilt Terminal 3 North Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. (Image courtesy of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

Phoenix handled a record 46.3 million passengers in 2019, a 3% year-over-year increase, according to airport data. The airport is a hub for American Airlines, and a large base for Southwest Airlines -- both of which operate from Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor.

Phoenix was the 13th-busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger boardings in 2018, according to Department of Transportation rankings.

Related: Amex’s Phoenix Centurion Lounge is now open

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Terminal 2 will close when the relocations to Terminal 3 are complete, and is expected to be demolished. Terminal 2 — the oldest among the airport's three passenger terminals — opened in 1962 with a mid-century modern aesthetic.

Terminal 2 has been home to numerous carriers of the years. Past tenants include American and Trans World Airlines (TWA) in the 1970s, and former Republic Airlines' short-lived Phoenix hub in the 1980s.

American Airlines and TWA both operated from Terminal 2 at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in the 1970s. (Image courtesy of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

Terminal 3 opened in 1979. It was home to America West Airlines' hub, the forerunner to American's hub today, until Terminal 4 opened in 1990.

Updated with comment from United on plans for a new United Club in Terminal 3.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.