With the announcment of AA/USAirways merger it looks like I will be connecting through PHL now on at least some international flights. How is that airport for outbound and inbound international connections? I have flown to PHL as a destination some years ago and thought it was one of the oldest and most decrepit airports perhaps behind only the AA section of LGA. And as those were only domestic trips I did not of course go through immigration or customs. How does it compare with for example to O'Hare or Miami?
International Connections through Philadelphia
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You are not going to be changing routes in the VERY near future I suspect.
The airport is obviously not nearly as spread out as ORD or even MIA but it does have five concourses. However the bulk of international flights depart from Concourse A and I would not in any way call the airport "decrepit."
The immigration/customs/security "issues" are the same as every other airport..if a BUNCH of flights arrive at the same time guess what? It will all depend on those agents and how many are working..just like any other airport.
PHL has its issues, no doubt, but I don't see how you could call it decrepit. Give yourself plenty of time to make a connection.
Meant no offense to my PHL friends! Looking forward to more options as an AA FF.
The bosses made clear that the two airlines will operate separately until the corporate merger has been completed, which will certainly take months. Integration of the two widely separated route systems will likely take longer than that. Why spend that time worrying?
Outbound is fine. Inboung from international is not pleasant - very hot, long lines, going back through security, run to change terminals for connecting fligth -- I would avoid if possible. It has not gotten any better over the years
The international terminal is newer and much nicer than the rest of the airport.
laurie-ann, no offense taken. PHL certainly has it's share its share of issues. I think it wins the "takes the longest time to get your luggage" contest. We don't have to connect through here, and my husband has told me stories of his flights landing and having to wait on the ground for a gate to open. In the meantime, his fellow passengers are stressed out, knowing the delay will likely result in them missing their connecting flights.
I read that the merger is targeted to be completed in the 3rd quarter. That's pretty quickly.
Actually, the old PHL international terminal (on the east side of the airport, across rwy 18-36 from the current terminal) was indeed quite decrepit.
The security lines are a nightmare. The waiting line to takeoff is a nightmare and the airport is a massive confusion. Had no idea where we went went got off flight from Europe and ended up outside in the street and then couldn't find way back in and when we did we were in a long line at security with one person screening. I will not connect through there again.
There is always the chance that US Airways international flights through Charlotte will be an option after the merger. I don't mind going through PHL to Europe, but as Vicky said above, the security lines upon entering the USA are hideous. The area is built behind huge glass walls that create a furnace like effect for those leaving customs and waiting to get through a nightmare security funnel. It is bad.
I live much closer to PHL, but now choose Charlotte as my connecting airport for US Airways international flights.