Phoenix Sky Harbor Offers Tips to Super Bowl LVII and Phoenix Open Visitors

​​America’s Friendliest Airport® is looking forward to welcoming travelers to Arizona for Super Bowl LVII. Various events across the Valley of the Sun including the WM Phoenix Open and the Super Bowl will mean the Airport will be very busy. February 13, the day after Super Bowl LVII, is anticipated to be one of Phoenix Sky Harbor’s busiest days on record with a projected 50 percent increase in traffic.

 “Our staff has been working with airlines, the TSA, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, law enforcement, our restaurant operators and other partners to ensure we are ready to welcome visitors coming in for the Big Game,” said Director of Aviation Services Chad Makovsky. “Phoenix Sky Harbor is no stranger to welcoming visitors to big events and to town for the Super Bowl. With our focus on service as well as recent enhancements we’ve made to our facilities, we look forward to providing our visitors with an exceptional experience.”

Here are some tips to make your travel experience smoother:

If you are planning to rent a car, make sure to reserve your car in advance. Phoenix Sky Harbor is anticipating an increase in car rentals around the Super Bowl and vehicles may be limited for walk-up customers.

If you are not renting a car, use Valley Metro Rail to travel between the Airport and downtown Phoenix. The free PHX Sky Train® offers an easy connection between all airport terminals and Valley Metro Rail. After disembarking from the PHX Sky Train®, make sure to purchase your pass from the Valley Metro fare vending machine. Then, take Valley Metro Rail westbound and get off at the 3rd Street/Washington Station for the Phoenix Convention Center, Footprint Center and Chase Field. For Hance Park, use the Roosevelt/Central Ave. or McDowell/Central Ave. stations. It’s a quick and easy ride to all Super Bowl LVII activities in downtown Phoenix. Get more information on Valley Metro Rail here.

If you have questions while in the Airport, ask one of our friendly volunteer Navigators in the purple jackets. They will be stationed with Super Bowl volunteers who can answer questions about Super Bowl events.

Travel Tips for departing passengers, especially on February 13 (the day after the Super Bowl):

Remember 5-4-3-2-1.  5 hours before departure – Check out of your hotel; 4 hours before departure – Turn in your rental car; 3 hours before departure – Check in at the Ticket Counter; 2 hours before departure – Get in line at the TSA Security Checkpoint; and 1 hour before departure – Be at your gate.

If you have a Super Bowl program, please place it in your carry-on bag. For questions about carry-on and checked items, visit TSA.gov  And, remember, if you are traveling with needed medications, be sure and place them in your carry-on bag.

Save time and skip the airline ticket counter – use Early Bag Check. Check your bags before boarding the PHX Sky Train® at the 44th Street Station or at the Rental Car Center Station. Bags must be checked a minimum of 90 minutes before your flight. This service is available for those flying American, Delta, Southwest, or United. No additional charge though individual airline bag fees apply. This service will be available on Sunday, February 12 and Monday, February 13 only.

Visit skyharbor.com to check flight status and see what shops and restaurants are near your gate. Many shops both before and after security will be selling an assortment of merchandise for the Big Game.

You can also view security wait times on skyharbor.com and on the flight information screens in the terminals.

Looking to save your place and reduce your wait in the TSA Security Checkpoint line?  Use the PHX RESERVE program. Schedule your time prior to arriving at the airport on their website. You can schedule your time up to six days in advance.

If you or someone you will be traveling with has a hidden disability such as dementia or autism, you can reserve a Compassion Cacti™ Lanyard in advance, which signals to employees that you may need extra time, assistance, or patience in the travel process. You can even schedule a Navigator Support Guide to accompany you through the airport. Learn more.

And remember, as you are traveling through, if you See Something Say Something. Report suspicious behavior to law enforcement staff.