A Southwestern Airport Is Often Referred To As The Friendliest In America

What makes Sky Harbor International "America's Friendliest Airport"? Arizona's biggest airport takes such pride in the moniker that the phrase is a registered trademark. But how do you measure friendliness? What makes this Phoenix institution stand out?

First, you have some simple, hard-number metrics: Sky Harbor rarely has to cancel a flight, and serious delays are uncommon, despite 1,200 daily flights across 18 carriers. According to a recent study by the flight service AirHelp (via the Arizona Republic), Sky Harbor was the 10th best airport in the nation, in terms of fewest flight disruptions. Phoenix may get brutally hot, but the skies are practically cloudless 90% of the year, making Arizona's capital the second-sunniest city in the world. This general lack of rain is ideal for pilots trying to take off on time.

Sky Harbor was also one of the first airports in the U.S. to offer free WiFi, and the Navigator Buddy system provides a personal volunteer to passengers with special accommodations. For furry friends, Sky Harbor also has nine "animal relief areas," which provide both basic needs and recreational space. The airport contains 53 restaurants and eateries, including a much-hailed Bobby's Burgers by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, as well as 41 retail stores. The PHX Sky Train is smooth and efficient, connecting one terminal to the next. Just outside the main entrance, there are a dozen hotels within a five-minute drive, and official ride-share stands are available at all three terminals. If it comes to it, this is one of the best airports in the U.S. to get stuck in during a long layover. 

There's also Phoenix itself, a big but laidback Southwestern megalopolis of 5 million people. Sky Harbor has its own light rail stop (on 44th Street), which draws a long line across much of the valley, from the suburb of Mesa to downtown Phoenix, and points farther north. The moment you arrive you can pick from an array of the top locally recommended activities in the Phoenix area, from desert parks and world-class museums to top-notch restaurants. A stay here is generally affordable, making Phoenix one of the best cities in the country for budget travelers. In terms of weather, the valley gets a little chilly in January and dangerously hot in the summer months, but sun-drenched spring and fall seem to last forever, and as every Phoenician loves to say: It's a dry heat. There's a reason Phoenix attracts flocks of "snowbirds" during North America's colder months.

Being the friendliest airport doesn't mean you'll be greeted with smiles and hugs the second you step off the plane — a relief to many an introvert — but odds are good you'll have a pleasant experience at Sky Harbor. As if these accolades weren't enough, the Wall Street Journal named Sky Harbor the No. 1 best U.S. airport in 2023. Hot stuff.