The holiday season at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is getting started, and we are bringing back a popular program to show our gratitude.
Days of Gratitude is taking place throughout Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport this holiday travel period. It is a program to express appreciation to our travelers and customers with treats and activities.
Beginning Nov. 18 and continuing Nov. 25, Dec. 11 and Dec. 16, our staff will be out in the terminals spreading 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 on four select days in Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 where customers can win prizes, take a photo with our mascot Amelia the Airplane or a Navigator Buddy, and participate in an art activity.
We launched Days of Gratitude at America’s Friendliest Airport® three years ago as a way 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 will be available to give thanks to our customers. We are also planning photo opportunities with our mascot Amelia and a Navigator Buddy.
The effort to give passengers and customers our thanks comes as our volunteers in purple, the Phoenix Navigators, celebrate their 25th anniversary. The Navigator program began in November 2000 as an initiative to assist passengers by offering directions and information inside the busy airport terminals. Since then, the program has expanded dramatically, with more than 1,600 Navigator volunteers donating about 1.6 million hours to assist passengers and visitors. Known for offering passengers a hand with directions in the terminals, Navigators also help with tours, as support guides and with community outreach.
They are also experts at providing travel tips, which comes in handy when the airport is very busy leading up to Thanksgiving and immediately after. Before coming to the airport, here are a few tips to help make your experience go more smoothly:
- Parking at the airport? Make a reservation ahead of time at skyharbor.com/parking.
- 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.
One of the most important tips for travelers is to pick up or drop off passengers on either end of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at the a PHX Sky Train® Station. Roadways can be extremely busy during holiday traffic, and we have a couple of great solutions to avoid them: The 24th Street Station is a good 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.
