American will anchor Phoenix Sky Harbor's new West Terminal, due to open in late 2033

American Airlines will be the main airline in a new terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX). The airport picked American to anchor its planned West Terminal, both sides said on Sept. 21. It will be the first new terminal at Sky Harbor since Terminal 4 opened in 1990.

Don't plan around it yet. The City of Phoenix says construction could start in late 2029, with an opening in late 2033. Gates and design are still being worked out.

What was announced

American is the largest airline at Sky Harbor. It carries about 40% of the airport's traffic, and more than 20 million customers a year. It flies more than 300 peak daily departures from Phoenix to more than 100 places, including Alaska, Hawaii and London, according to American's release.

The terminal will sit on the west side of the airport. The city's release calls it the airport's future "front door" for international travel. It will be built to handle more widebody jets. It is part of Destination PHX 2050, a long-range plan for an airport that expects 90 million passengers a year by 2050.

Robert Isom, American's chief executive, said: "Phoenix is a critical part of American's network, and we're excited to continue to invest in the airport and this region's future." He said the project will "deliver an even better experience for our customers with much-needed new premium spaces."

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called it "a game-changing investment in our economic future." Chad Makovsky, the city's aviation director, said the airport chose American after months of analysis. "We look forward to working with American and all airlines at Sky Harbor," he said.

The city says the terminal will be paid for with passenger facility charges, bonds and airport funds, not local taxes. Neither release gives a cost. View from the Wing reported an estimate of $4.5 billion.

The timeline

Per the city:

KTAR News reports the terminal will be built in phases, with room to add concourses later. It says the site is near the old Terminals 1 and 2, both now demolished.

What it means for lounges

Isom's "premium spaces" is the only lounge hint in either release. KTAR News reports that the plans include airline lounges and a premium international gateway with first-class lounges. American has not said what it will build. It has no Flagship lounge in Phoenix today.

That gap is clear in our data. American runs three Admirals Clubs at Sky Harbor, all in Terminal 4. Their quality varies a lot:

• Admirals Club (B5) is the best of the three, at 4.7. It sits upstairs above gates B5 and B7, seats about 200 and has a full bar. It is open 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wi-Fi is its weakest score.
• Admirals Club (A7) rates 4.1. It is upstairs above gates A7 and A9 and stays open until midnight. Its barista coffee scores well.
• Admirals Club (A19) rates just 2.5, the lowest of any lounge in Terminal 4. It is at the far end of the A pier and gets crowded at peak times. It opens earliest, at 3:30 a.m.

All three take Admirals Club members and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald travelers. Our listings show members can bring immediate family or up to two guests. Day passes are sold at the door, but you need a same-day American or oneworld ticket. None of the three has confirmed showers.

Other lounges in Terminal 4

American flyers in Terminal 4 have better options if they hold the right card:

• Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, near gate D11, is the airport's top-rated lounge at 4.8. It opened in 2025, has a craft cocktail bar and seats about 200. Sapphire Reserve holders get in.
• The Centurion Lounge, across from gate B22, rates 4.5. It has two shower suites and is open to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
• Escape Lounge (Terminal 4) rates 3.1. Amex Platinum works here, but our listing notes it is not a Priority Pass lounge.

Terminal 3 has three more: an Escape Lounge that does take Priority Pass (4.0), a United Club (4.0) and a Delta Sky Club (3.8). See all nine on our Phoenix airport page.

The bigger picture

The move fits a wider push. American is building its largest Admirals Club, in Charlotte, and a new club at Chicago O'Hare. Phoenix's turn looks to be years away.

When American moves, it will leave gates in Terminal 4. KTAR reports other airlines are expected to take them. The city says it is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on Terminal 4 now, and plans more upgrades after American leaves.

What we don't know

There is no gate count, no square footage and no confirmed cost. American has not said whether it will add a Flagship lounge, how big its new clubs will be, or what happens to its three Terminal 4 clubs. It is also unclear which outside lounges, such as Centurion or Chase, will follow it west. The airport plans to share more at its Nov. 4 Industry Day. We will update this story then.