About Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport is located just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia, one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the USA. The airport features seven terminal buildings organized alphabetically by letter, namely A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Terminals A, B, C, D and E are interconnected by a series of convenient travelators which makes transportation easy between them, while shuttle buses are provided to the other two terminals. The airport boasts over 110 gates within these terminals, offering a total of more than 130 non-stop flight destinations both domestically and internationally. Acting as a major hub for US Airways, there are several direct connections to dozens of destinations including San Francisco (SFO), Barcelona (BCN), London (LHR), Belgium (BRU) and the Netherlands (AMS). Numerous other airlines also operate out of Philadelphia International Airport including Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa, offering passengers a wide variety of different destinations both domestically and globally. Frankfurt (FRA) is one of the most popular international destination currently offered by Philadelphia Airport.
The History of Philadelphia International Airport
The site over which Philadelphia International Airport located was originally developed as an airfield in 1925, when it served as a training ground for the Pennsylvania National Guard. Two years later, Charles Lindbergh took charge of the site and transformed it into the Philadelphia Municipal Airport, although it was not until 1940 when the first terminal building was built. After the new building was erected on the eastern side of the airfield, a number of domestic air carriers such as American Airlines and United started to offer flights to various destinations throughout the USA. The first runways measured less than 1,650 meters each, but have been lengthened several times over the years in order to keep up with the ever rising demand for air travel. During WWII, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces as an important training ground for missions, including the famous Pearl Harbor Attack. It was returned to civilian use in 1945, when it took on its present name Philadelphia International Airport.
A new terminal building was added in 1953 in order to accommodate the newly established flights to Europe. By the end of the 1950s, after more terminals had been built, many flights were being offered each day to numerous destinations all over the world. Further expansions have taken place in the last two decades, including a large extension to the main car park in recent years. However, due to land restrictions and difficulties in obtaining planning permission, it is uncertain whether Philadelphia International Airport will be able to grow much more in the years to come.
Flight delays and cancellations at Philadelphia International Airport
According to Flightright Data, in 2023, Philadelphia Airport had a total of 4454 scheduled flights. Out of these, 36 flights were cancelled, representing 0.81% of all scheduled flights. In addition, 33 flights were delayed, making up 0.74% of the total. There were 69 incidents, which constituted 1.55% of all departing flights.
Statistical Overview of Airlines at Philadelphia Airport in 2023
Philadelphia Airport experienced notable operational activities in 2023. The most active carrier was American Airlines, which operated a total of 3495 flights with 9 cancellations and 25 delays. Following close behind, British Airways managed 362 flights, with 8 cancellations and 2 delays. Aer Lingus operated 302 flights with 9 cancellations and 4 delays. Discover Airlines (Eurowings Discover) had 184 flights with 9 cancellations and no delays. Overall, the operational data from Philadelphia Airport in 2023 showcases diverse performance among the top carriers.
Top 5 Airlines Data Table
| Airline Name | Total Flights | Cancellations | Delays |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 3495 | 9 | 25 |
| British Airways | 362 | 8 | 2 |
| Aer Lingus | 302 | 9 | 4 |
| Discover Airlines (Eurowings Discover) | 184 | 9 | 0 |
| Finnair | 72 | 1 | 1 |
What to do if plans go wrong
Bad weather conditions at Philadelphia International Airport are a common cause for flight delays and cancellations. In addition, the airport is the largest international airport in the world not to have an inground fuelling system, which means that fuel has to be taken to each of the airplanes via truck.
If your flight is delayed and you find that you have spare time on your hands, there are several duty free shops found in terminals A and C; while popular retail outlets and restaurants can be located throughout the airport. For passengers stuck for extended periods of time, the information desk offers free blankets, pillows, bottled water and snacks. There are several airport lounges for United, American and US Airways, but also a USO Lounge for members of the military and their families with showers, wifi, laundry, and refreshments. Free airport shuttles will take you to one of the 4 nearby hotels, and a newly opened virtual library is available to the public in the D/C airside connector. You can also use the airport’s free wifi to submit a claim for your delayed flight through our free compensation calculator. Just click below to see how much you might be able to claim for your troubles with the airlines, it will only take 2 minutes!
Delay, cancellation, overbooking or missed connection flight? You are entitled to:
| Short distance up to 1500 km | Medium distance up to 3500 km | Long distance from 3500 km |
| e.g. London – Edinburgh | e.g. London – Athens | e.g. London – Tokyo |
| 250€ | 400€ | 600€ |
Recently cancelled or delayed flights at Philadelphia International Airport
Here you’ll find delays and cancellations at Philadelphia International Airport that could entitle you to financial compensation. Use our online calculator to check your entitlement to compensation and let Flightright do the rest of the work.
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What rights do I have as a passenger if my flight is canceled due to a strike at Philadelphia Airport?
If your flight is planned to depart from Philadelphia and there is a strike at the airport, first check if your flight is affected by the cancellations due to the strike. According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, you are entitled to alternative transportation or a refund of the ticket price. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation if there are no extraordinary circumstances, and it is an internal airline strike. Contact your airline for further information regarding substitute transportation, rebooking, or ticket refund as well as on-site services such as meals and, if necessary, accommodation and transportation to the hotel.
Can I get compensation if my flight is delayed or canceled at Philadelphia due to a strike?
A flight cancellation or significant delay of more than three hours due to a strike is often considered an extraordinary circumstance, provided the strike is not within the control of the airline or its personnel. There is no entitlement to compensation in case of extraordinary circumstances. However, passengers should be aware of their rights to basic care and catering services at Philadelphia Airport. This includes meals, refreshments, and, if necessary, accommodation, depending on the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Also, important to know: If your flight is canceled because the airline staff is on strike, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket price, alternative transportation, on-site catering, and additional compensation.
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In the event of flight delays, cancellations and overbooking, passengers may be entitled to compensation or ticket reimbursement. Flightright enforces your rights.