Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — Terminals, Lounges & Travel Tips
Philadelphia, PA, United States · PHL
Terminal Guide
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Terminal A-East & A-West (International) | British Airways, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, American international |
| Terminals B & C | American domestic |
| Terminal D | American connections, United, Delta |
| Terminal E | Southwest, Spirit, Frontier |
| Terminal F | American regional (American Eagle) |
Getting There — Ground Transportation
- SEPTA Airport Line: Train from Terminals A–F (Airport Line stations) to Center City (30th Street, Suburban, Jefferson) in 22–30 min for $8. Runs every 30 min.
- Rideshare: Uber/Lyft from designated pickup areas outside each terminal.
- Taxi: Metered; expect $30–40 to Center City.
- SEPTA Bus: Several SEPTA routes connect PHL to various Philadelphia neighborhoods.
- Car Rental: On-site facility adjacent to the terminal.
Airport Lounge Directory
| Lounge | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|
| American Admirals Club – Terminal B | Terminal B | Admirals Club membership, Citi AAdvantage Executive card |
| American Admirals Club – Terminals C/D | Terminals C/D | Admirals Club membership, Citi AAdvantage Executive card |
| American Flagship Lounge | Terminal A-West | International First/Business class on eligible AA flights |
| British Airways Galleries | Terminal A-East | BA Business/First class, oneworld Emerald |
Pro Tips for PHL Travelers
- SEPTA Airport Line is an underrated gem — 30 minutes to Center City for $8 beats every other option by a mile.
- PHL's gate congestion is real — American's massive hub operation means delays ripple across the day. Sign up for flight alerts.
- The walk between Terminals A and F is considerable; follow the internal corridor signs and use moving walkways.
- PHL has some of Philadelphia's best iconic food brands airside — Federal Donuts, Chickie's & Pete's, and local pretzels.
- International connections through PHL can be tight; US Customs and then re-security from Terminal A takes time.
- Winter storms frequently affect PHL given its Mid-Atlantic location — de-icing queues can add 30+ minutes.
- Long-term parking at Garage A or the Economy Lots is most affordable for trips longer than two days.
Know Before You Land — PHL Checklist
Review these before your flight so you hit the ground running at Philadelphia.
- Confirm which terminal your airline uses — Philadelphia International Airport has 6 terminals and inter-terminal transfers may require re-clearing security.
- No direct rail link — rideshare is the most flexible option. Uber/Lyft from designated pickup areas outside each terminal.
- Renting a car? On-site facility adjacent to the terminal.
- PHL has 4 lounges — access is via airline status or card membership only.
- American Airlines hub: expect higher flight frequency and stronger upgrade/standby availability for American Airlines elite members.
- International connections through PHL can be tight; US Customs and then re-security from Terminal A takes time.