We recommend at least 50 minutes for a comfortable connection at Phoenix Sky Harbor International. The minimum connection time is 45 minutes for domestic flights and 75 minutes for international flights. Transit between terminals takes up to 20 minutes.

Domestic-to-Domestic: 45 min. Domestic-to-International: 60 min. International-to-Domestic: 75 min. International-to-International: 75 min. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell at Phoenix Sky Harbor International.

Phoenix Sky Harbor is a straightforward hub built primarily around American Airlines, with Southwest also operating a huge schedule from the same terminal. Connections are generally easy since most traffic funnels through just two terminals linked by a modern people-mover, though the small international arrivals facility can slow things down for that specific flow. The PHX Sky Train, an automated people mover, now directly links Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 (extended in 2022), replacing the old inter-terminal bus for most travelers. Within Terminal 4, moving between the A/B concourses and the S1/S2/S3 international gates requires a walk or a short shuttle, and international arrivals go through a dedicated Customs and Border Protection facility before re-entering the domestic side.

Still too tight for standard domestic-domestic MCT of 45 minutes, especially with gate walks in Terminal 4. See full 30 min guide →

This matches the official domestic-domestic MCT but assumes no delays or long walks. See full 45 min guide →

Enough time for a Sky Train transfer between Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 plus a domestic-international connection. See full 1 hr guide →

Covers international arrivals needing to clear Customs and reach a domestic gate in Terminal 4. See full 1¼ hr guide →

Ample time for any terminal combination, including international connections with security re-screening. See full 1½ hr guide →

Very comfortable for any connection type, including slower Customs processing for international arrivals. See full 2 hr guide →

More than enough time to relax, eat, or handle unexpected delays. See full 2½ hr guide →

Excessive for PHX's compact two-terminal layout unless flights are widely spaced. See full 3 hr guide →

Far beyond necessary; consider exploring Terminal 3's dining or Terminal 4's shops to pass the time. See full 4 hr guide →