Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Arizona |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| IATA code | PHX |
| ICAO code | KPHX |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | [phoenix.gov/AVIATION/ phoenix.gov/AVIATION/] |
| Overview map | [maps.google.com/maps?q=PHX&spn=0.060764,0.118721&t=h&hl=en Google Maps] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | North 118.7, South 120.9 |
| Ground | North 119.75, South 132.55 |
| Clearance | 118.1 |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | 121.2 |
Official Spotting Locations
Terminal 4 garage
Levels 7 and 8 are preferred for photography. The north side faces the America West (soon to be US Airways) hub operation as well as runway 8/26. Afternoon landing shots can be taken with a 300-500mm lens. In summer, photography of the departure lineup for 25R can be taken during select hours, as well as the Southwest operation on the south side.
Terminal 3 garage
Level four is preferred, as level 5 has a mesh fence and level 6 is open to the sun. Afternoon photos (all year) can be taken of traffic on taxiways Sierra and Tango crossing between the north and south runway complex. With the construction of the new control tower, this spot is not as good as it used to be.
Terminal 2 garage
Good for landing shots on runway 8 and turnoff shots from runway 26. Go up to the second level and find gaps between the lightpoles and trees, photographing over the roadway and fenceline. This spot is exposed to the sun.
Most airport police have no problems with spotting and photography from these locations.
Other Spotting Locations
These spots all require a car to access.
Old Tower Road
Head west and exit the airport on 24th Street. Turn left (south) on 24th Street and turn left on Old Tower Road. Park in the dirt lot next to the street (you must drive over a curb to do this - the street is posted no parking) or at the Best Western south of I-10 and walk back. This spot is good for landing shots on 7R in morning hours, all year.
Cutter Aviation
Continue east on Old Tower Road. Cutter Aviation has an observation deck, located under the old ATC tower. The deck may or may not be open - contact Cutter before spotting or photography. Landing shots can be taken of runway 7R, but need a 300-500mm lens.
South Cargo
Continue east of Cutter on Old Tower Road. Before reaching the Air National Guard base, views of aircraft parked on the South Cargo ramp can be seen through the fence. Ramp clutter may be an issue for photography.
Left Seat Restaurant
Open weekdays for breakfast and lunch, the Left Seat restaurant (on Air Lane between 24th Street and 40th Street) offers good views of traffic on runway 8/26. The outdoor deck has been closed for security considerations.
Air Lane
On Air Lane, between 40th Street and SH 153, there is a asphalt parking lot with a small tree. This spot offers views of the north runway. Photographs of landings on Runway 26 are possible in the summer. This spot offers no shade and no facilities. Police pass by this area but we have no reports of people asked to leave.
East Economy Lot area
America West Hangar
Look for signs to the America West Hangar. Take the road north until it ends. This spot is suitable for winter landing shots on runway 26, but do not linger as America West Security and Phoenix Police patrol this area. Do not park in the East Employee lot as this is secured with card access.
Taxiway R
There is a road next to Taxiway R, on the east side of Terminal 4. Close-in photography of taxiing aircraft is possible during morning hours. Parking is extremely limited in this area, located between the America West and Southwest hangars. Police will probably ask you to leave this spot if you linger.
Locations to Avoid
The dirt hill north of the Terminal 2 garage, next to the fenceline, is no longer usable due to a new fence built in 2004.
Avoid all employee parking lots as they are secured by card access and are guarded. This includes the East Employee parking lot.
Regular Traffic
Landings normally use the North (8/26) and South (7R/25L) runways. Departures normally use the center (7L/25R) runway. The airport normally operates east during the morning (landing 7R and 8, departing 7L) and west from mid-morning through the evening (landing 25L and 26, departing 25R).