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PHX Sky
Harbor
from above
Click on a numbered portion of the image to find key airport
areas
and plane spotting / photographing areas (underlined text).
Some numbers in image are street references only and do not
link.
Due to ongoing airport construction, some of these areas
may become limited in access or eliminated completely.
(photo taken from an America West Express CRJ-200-November 2005)
updated 3/08
*Due to heightened security at Sky Harbor, many areas listed below may
now be off limits.*
the areas marked with an asterisk* are now considered
off limits-use your own judgement with these areas
The
parking areas north of the airport near the end of Runway 26 are now fenced
to prevent parking
Parking along Old Tower Road is now prohibited. / The Left Seat
Balcony is fenced off. / Spotting on the
Cutter Balcony is now unwelcomed
(Aerial Map)
^North

V South
1. Runway 7L/25R:
This runway was 8R/26L until the newest runway
was opened just South of it on October 5, 2000.
Aircraft can be seen / photographed on this runway
from the parking structures (fee) at terminals 3 and
4.
Aircraft can be seen from Old Tower Road, but there is
no longer any parking available along this roadway.
The**
(1a)East Economy Parking lot (fee) could be
used
also. It is located almost directly under the approach
end of runway 25R.
back to map |
2. Runway 8/26:
Aircraft can be seen / photographed on this runway
from the parking structures (fee) at terminals 2, 3 and
4. Other locations for this runway include the
(2a)Left Seat Restaurant
(deck*), located at the
Northwest corner of the airport. When 26 is in use,
(2b)
several dirt fields* (closed)at the end
of Runway 26, along Airlane
Road at the Northeast corner of the airport and
(2c)
a field directly under the approach end of
runway 26 (no outlet road) can be used.
back to map |
3. Runway 7R/25L:
This runway was opened on October 5, 2000.
The smallest of Sky Harbor's runways, it is intended to be
used primarily for landings and lighter
aircraft.
Aircraft can be observed and photographed on this
runway from Old Tower Road. (No stopping allowed!)
The sidewalk along 24th Street offers views as well,
but you must walk to this location. Aircraft landing
on
runway 25L can be seen and photographed off the airport
at a location at the end of 40th
Street*. You can reach this
location by heading east out of the airport and turning
south
on AZ Highway 153. Turn right and head west on University
Drive, then right and head north on 40th Street. The road
ends at the Salt River (normally
dry).*
back to map |
4. Terminal 2:
Terminal 2's parking structure (fee) is located across
the street and north of the terminal. It offers good
views of the North runway and the North gates
(West side) of terminal 3. It offers very limited views
of the South runway and the East side of terminal 2.
back to map |
5. Terminal 3:
Terminal 3's parking structure (fee) is located above
the terminal itself. It offers excellent views of all
the
runways. Taxiways Tango and Sierra can be seen
quite well from here. All of Terminal 3's
gates as well as the gates on the East side of
Terminal 2 can be easily seen. A limited number of
Terminal 4's gates can be seen from here as well.
With its central location, this is probably the best
overall on-airport spotting point at PHX. The new ATC tower can
be seen on the east end of Terminal 3.
back to map
|
6. Terminal 4:
Terminal 4's parking structure (fee) is located above
the terminal itself. Views of all the runways can be had from here. Most of Terminal 4's gates and a limited number of
Terminal 3's East side gates can be seen here as well.
back to map |
7. America West
Hangar:
Aircraft at this ramp can best be seen off the airport
from the Northeast end of the field. There is a no-
outlet road* to the East of
the hangar which allows you
to get close to aircraft landing on runway 26.
Aircraft on Taxiway Romeo and at Terminal 4's
Easternmost gates can be seen from the roadway
which runs between the America West and
Southwest hangars. Use caution here now too!
back to map |
8. Southwest Hangar:
Aircraft at this ramp are difficult to see. The only
decent locations might be inside the East Economy
Parking Lot (fee) or across the river at the end of
40th Street*, off the
airport.
back to map |
9. Taxiways
Tango / Sierra:
Taxiway Tango and Sierra provide aircraft a means
to crossover from
the North or South side of the aiport. Aircraft
on these taxiways can be seen / photographed from
the parking structures (fee) at Terminal 3 or 4. back to map |
10. East Cargo Ramp:
(this ramp has seen limited use recently) Various cargo aircraft can be seen here from the
roadway that runs South of the West Economy
Parking Lot. This road is used mainly by airport
service vehicles, so use caution.
A variety of airfreight companies use this ramp.
Many of the freight aircraft that can only be seen
at PHX on occasion will be seen here also.
back to map |
11. West Cargo
Ramp:
This ramp is used mainly by the smaller cargo airlines,
although you may find other aircraft here as well.
There is a service road directly north of the
ramp
which allows limited views of the west end of the ramp
(watch for vehicles), but the best area to see this ramp
is off the airport along Old Tower
Road* (at a distance)
or along the old 24th Street (renamed
Copperhead)*.
back to map |
12. Cutter Ramp:
The Cutter Aviation Ramp can be seen from Old
Tower Road, just South of the airport. This road
has no outlet or airport access. Various aircraft can
be seen here, business aircraft, air ambulance and
general aviation along with an occasional larger
charter aircraft. Aircraft can be seen on this ramp
from
the adjacent Swift parking lot (limited view/private
property*).
back to map |
13. Swift:
Samaritan Air Evac and other medical operations are
found on this FBO ramp. Look for general aviation,
business aircraft, air ambulances, charters, and
sports
charter aircraft of various types on the Swift
ramp. View
this ramp from the adjacent parking lot (private
property*).
back to map |
|
14. USANG/South Cargo:
The (14a)
U.S. Air National Guard Ramp is home to the
161st Air Refueling Wing. The KC-135's
and occasionally other military aircraft can best be
seen from Terminal 3.
The ANG ramp is east of the South Cargo ramp.
The (14b)
South Cargo complex is in this
area as well. FedEx and UPS are located here.
back to map |
15. General Aviation:
General aviation tie-downs and some private hangars
can be found in this area. Ameriflight, SRP, and the State
of Arizona aircraft can be found here. View aircraft in this area
from Airlane Road, just North of the airport.
back to
map |
16. Honeywell:
Honeywell is home to the Garrett Turbine Division.
The ramp for this company can best be seen from
Terminal's 3 or 4. Look for the Boeing 720
(N720H) and occasionally other small aircraft here.
APU's and aircraft engines are produced at this
facility. A Boeing 757 (N757HW) added to
Honeywell's
fleet, may be seen here as well.
back to map |
17. Private Hangars:
There are several private hangars in this area,
maintained by several different companies.
Mesa
Airlines now occupies the old U.S. Customs
hangar.
Usually what little activity is here can best be
seen from Terminal's 3 or 4 or along Airlane
Road.
back to
map |
18. Executive Terminal:
The airports Executive Terminal Ramp is located
just
South of and near the middle of Runway 8/26. It has seen limited use
(if any!) as of late,
mainly Fiesta Bowl charters and VIP aircraft.
The Executive
Terminal Building is now used by
the Phoenix Police.
back to
map |

Click
on above image for our drawn PHX map page