The Thanksgiving holiday season at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about to go into full swing, and this year we are kicking it off by showing our gratitude early.
The 12 Days of Gratitude, a program designed to give appreciation to our travelers and customers with treats and activities, is taking place throughout Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport this holiday travel period. The program starts Nov. 19 – earlier than in previous years – to spread cheer to our Thanksgiving holiday travelers. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is historically the busiest travel period at Phoenix Sky Harbor outside of special events.
Activities are scheduled to take place over 12 days in each terminal where customers can win prizes, take a photo with our mascot Amelia the Airplane or a Navigator Buddy, and participate in an art activity.
The idea to shower customers with gratitude at America’s Friendliest Airport® started two years ago to enhance the passenger experience during busy travel periods. A variety of activities, like a spin-the-wheel game to win a prize and hands-on activities like crafty art projects will be offered to acknowledge and thank our customers.
Photo ops with a Navigator Buddy and our mascot Amelia are also on tap.
The effort to give passengers and customers our thanks comes as Phoenix Sky Harbor welcomes travelers during what will likely be another record year. In 2023, more than 48.6 million passengers flew through PHX—the most ever. So far through September 2024, year-to-date passenger numbers are 8.1% higher than last year.
While a reliable crystal ball has yet to be invented, the numbers show that Phoenix Sky Harbor will probably be as busy as ever this holiday season. That also means passengers looking for a flight on one of the 25 airlines that serve PHX have more options than ever.
That also means the airport will be busy—very busy—in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and immediately after. Before coming to the airport, a few things can mitigate a bad experience:
- Departing passengers and loved ones who are picking them up should check their flight status with their airline before coming to the airport.
- Passengers can reserve a time to go through the TSA Security Checkpoint by using the PHX RESERVE program to schedule a time up to six days in advance before arriving at the airport.
- Parking at the airport? Make a reservation ahead of time at skyharbor.com/parking.
A few more tips to ease the travel bustle can help make a trip easier to manage:
- Pick up or drop off passengers on either end of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at the 24th Street or 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Stations. The 24th Street Station is a great option for passengers arriving from the west, and the 44th Street Station is ideal for travelers arriving from the east.
- Using the PHX Sky Train® means a motorist doesn’t have to try to navigate congested airport roads. Plus, it’s free!
For more travel tips, visit www.skyharbor.com/flying-from-phx/travel-tips.
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