Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) this week begins formally accepting flights in its new $310 million, eight-gate, 275,000-square-foot Terminal 4 Eighth Concourse to be used by Southwest Airlines and including a host of new concessions and passenger amenities.
Among the features in the new concourse are access to charging stations in every seat, an Animal Relief Area, Family Restroom, Nursing Room, and hearing loop connectivity which will allow those with hearing devices to connect to the PA system.
The concourse retail shops will introduce not only national brands such as the Uptown Phoenix shop and InMotion Entertainment, but also through a partnership, Changing Hands Bookstores, Made Art Boutique and Melrose Pharmacy.
Food and beverage offerings include local favorites Pedal Haus Brewery and Berry Divine, serving acai bowls, along with regional concepts like Bobby’s Burgers and Eegee’s, and national chains such as Chick-Fil-A. Sip Coffee & Beer will also provide travelers with a number of local products from concepts such as Native Ground Coffee, Mother Road Brewing and Half Moon Empanadas.
AD Partnership will also be opening the common-use Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, featuring 3,500 square feet of space and a specially curated menu with a focus on local items.
The shops, restaurants and lounge will be opening in the coming months. In the meantime, passengers will have access to food and beverage and retail via kiosks.
“This is our next era in Phoenix, with new gates that bring a greatly improved experience for our Customers and Employees, and gives Southwest room to grow at Sky Harbor,” said Bob Jordan, CEO, Southwest Airlines. “Our four-decade partnership with Phoenix continues evolving with larger spaces in the terminal, expanded Maintenance Hangar facility, and strengthening partnerships with local organizations that share our focus on driving economic, environmental, and social impact in Phoenix and across the state.”
In addition to showcasing local arts, the new PHX concourse also has a number of sustainable elements, such as 14,000 square feet of electrochromic glazing throughout the concourse, intelligent technology that provides various levels of tinting to improve energy efficiency.
“We are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and to environmental leadership,” said Chad Makovsky, City of Phoenix director of aviation services. “Sustainability is a focus in all of our operations, and especially with this project. A number of features throughout the facility are designed to reduce water use and conserve energy, and we even have incorporated a special ceiling design near the entrance of the concourse made of recycled plastic water bottles.”
McCarthy Construction was the general contractor for the project, which also included baggage system upgrades and a connector bridge from the D concourse to the A concourse and consolidated security exit, easing the passenger journey between the Terminal 4 north and south concourses post-security.
