Phoenix Sky Harbor offers tips for Thanksgiving travel amid pandemic

PHOENIX — Though fewer people are expected to travel this holiday season, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday to still have some of its busiest days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an advisory Thursday urging people not to travel for Thanksgiving amid surges in the coronavirus pandemic around the country.

For those still planning to travel out of town, the airport says travelers should arrive at least two hours prior to their departure time and be sure to bring a face covering.

Masks are required inside all Sky Harbor facilities.

Personal protective equipment is available for purchase at vending machines and retail stores if passengers forget to bring a face covering. The airport says masks are also available near security checkpoints.

In order to avoid busy curb drop-off and pick-up areas, the airport recommends using the free PHX Sky Train to access all terminals. Each train car is limited to 15 people per vehicle due to coronavirus restrictions.

Travelers are also advised to look at overhead freeway signs alerting to accidents or alternate routes in order to avoid delays as they drive to the airport.

Sky Harbor offers a prepaid parking discount for all garages if travelers book a parking spot in advance through the airport’s website.

Wait times for security checkpoints and flight status information can also be accessed online.

Passengers can once again access the Escape Lounge PHX, which reopened Nov. 20.

The lounge offers freshly prepared food and beverages, as well as access to over 7,000 digital publications. Payment is required to enter. There is a fee to enter the lounge, which is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Terminal 4, Concourse B.

The Centurion Lounge at PHX is expected to reopen soon, but no specific date has been set yet.

Sky Harbor says it has increased sanitation efforts in the past eight months, and has installed social-distancing markers, plexiglass barriers and hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the terminals.

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