The central transport hub serving Philadelphia, the largest airport in the state of Pennsylvania and the most prominent in Delaware Valley, Philadelphia International Airport is a major travel centre in the east of America. Only 11 kilometres from downtown Philadelphia, the airport is centrally located, serves millions of visitors every year and is one of the most significant transport links in the country for a major metropolitan area. Offering both domestic and international flights, travellers from all over the world pass through its gates, acting as a primary hub for major services like American Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
There are seven terminals in total at Philadelphia Airport containing 124 gates, with American Airlines based in Terminals B and C, and Terminal F acting as the centre for regional flights. Each terminal has a collection of shops, dining areas and services, from electronic retailers, to fashion stores, to restaurants serving international cuisine, including Chinese food, America bakeries and Mexican kitchens. There is Wi-Fi available throughout the airport, comfortable waiting areas, luxury lounges, independent and local boutiques and internationally renowned fashion label shops. The airport also runs an art exhibition program, displaying impressive visual art from Philadelphia’s vibrant and unique arts scene, celebrating local creativity, promoting independent artists and creating a calm atmosphere for visitors.
There is a SEPTA train service that regularly runs between Philadelphia city centre and the airport, stopping at the University and the central Amtrak station along the way. Visitors can also access the city by road, as there is a straight highway connected to Philadelphia and rental cars are available to hire from the airport. A local bus service travels to Philadelphia Airport, offering various routes and providing student transport shuttles during college break times to local universities.
The National Guard initially used Philadelphia Airport as a training airfield in the 1920s before it became a functional travel centre in 1940, after which it also acted as an Army Air Forces base during World War II. Over time, the runway extended and officials added new terminals, with Terminal D and E opening in the 1970s to meet the rising demand for international services. Philadelphia Airport is now one of the world’s busiest airports and continually expands its services as one of the fastest growing travel centres in America.