Our 5 Things We Love About series of airport guides celebrating some of the features and amenities at airports around the country and the world is growing longer.
And today we add another airport to the list: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
PHL, just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia, first opened in 1940. Back then it was known then as Philadelphia Municipal Airport. Today PHL serves more than 32 million passengers a year with 25 airlines making 500 departures to more than 140 destinations worldwide.
Keep in mind that some of the amenities featured here may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will come back.
5 Things We Love About Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
1. Art and exhibitions at PHL
PHL’s award-winning art and exhibitions program is celebrating its 22nd year and you’ll find art at just about every turn.
We love the wall filled with posters of movies made in Philadelphia, such as Rocky (and the sequels), starring Sylvester Stallone; Dressed to Kill, with Michael Caine and Angie Dickinson, Blow Out, with John Travolta; Trading Places, Witness and more.
And we really love the temporary exhibitions PHL hosts as well as the permanent artwork, such as King Saladeen’s “Create Your Gold” (between Terminals C and D).
2. PHL ARTPORT LOUNGE
The ARTport Lounge in Terminal F is a colorful place for passengers to relax while waiting for a flight. The area features the artwork of Kyle Confehr, Martha Rich, Alloyius Mcilwaine and Lauren Cat West. There’s a popular sticker wall here as well as cornhole game boards.
3. PHL WAGGING TAILS BRIGADE
PHL’s Wagging Tails Brigade of therapy dogs launched in April 2019. The program includes 12 teams of volunteer dogs and handlers who walk the terminals to interact with passengers and reduce stress.
Each dog has its own trading card as well.
4. The PHL Book Exchange
Everything in PHL’s book exchange and seating area in Terminal A is recycled. The book exchange and seats are made of reclaimed wooden pallets, the plants are in recycled aluminum cans and water bottles, and the backdrop tiles are made from broken skateboard decks.
The books are “take one, leave one” and come from passengers and from the airlines, which donate books left onboard airplanes.
5. THE PHL POP-UP THEATER
The pop-up theater in Baggage Claim B showcases media/video by Philadelphia area youth who participate in various nonprofit programs.
Right now the features “Symphony for a Broken Orchestra,” an exhibition with broken musical instruments from the School District of Philadelphia, emphasizing the importance of music education in schools.
Broken Orchestra from Topic on Vimeo.
Did we miss an amenity you love at PHL airport? The rocking chairs? Perhaps the fact that you can order a cheesesteak in any terminal? The Philadelphia Zoo at PHL program? Or the on-property Marriott hotel connected via a skywalk to Terminal B?
Let us know in the comments section below. Which airport should we visit next?