Flying out of Arizona? Your best bet for a great deal to a popular travel destination is none other than the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Located just south of downtown Phoenix, Sky Harbor is easily Arizona’s largest and busiest airport. It’s also undergone recent changes to its layouts. Having previously consisted of four terminals, two have been demolished/closed, one as recently as 2020. Now, just two terminals and three runways service the twenty airlines that cater to travelers’ flight needs.
Because Sky Harbor Airport is a hub for American Airlines and a focus city for Southwest, you’ll find the best deals through these two carriers. Both fly out of terminal 4, making it the busiest terminal by far. However, you won’t find it difficult to traverse this impressive airport complex. Hopping on the PHX sky train makes getting around easy, from the east economy parking lot to the west economy garage.
So, once inside, exactly where can you travel out of one of the largest commercial airports in the country? The possibilities are near endless.
Table of Contents
- 1. Denver International Airport, Denver, CO
- 2. Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
- 3. McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV
- 4. San Diego International Airport, San Diego, CA
- 5. Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, UT
- 6. Chicago O’Hare International & Midway International, Chicago, IL
- 7. Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank, CA
- 8. Dallas Fort Worth International & Love Field, Dallas, TX
- 9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, WA
- 10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, MN
- 11. John Wayne Airport (Orange County), Santa Ana, CA
- 12. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose, CA
- Planning a Flight Out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International? Next Vacay Can Find You the Cheapest Flights to Destinations Worldwide
1. Denver International Airport, Denver, CO
If you find yourself looking for a change of pace, like many Phoenix natives, you can head north to the Mile High City of Denver. A quick one-and-a-half-hour flight takes passengers from the humid heat of Phoenix to Denver’s arid temps and neverending blue skies.
And being able to experience all four seasons is undoubtedly a lure for those hoping to escape the Arizona sun.
Denver boasts plenty to do and see around the city, and public transportation makes it easy to do just that, with bike shares, a rail system, and buses. The city also serves as an excellent gateway to other destinations, like the Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckenridge, and more.
2. Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
Of course, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles would rank among the most popular destinations out of the Phoenix Airport. As the second busiest airport in the US, we’d find it weird if it didn’t.
Travelers just can’t resist the draw of sun and sand along Los Angeles’s many beautiful beaches. Don’t even get us started on highlights like Santa Monica Pier and Sunset Boulevard.
With several daily flights out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, you’ll be spoiled for choice between the major airlines. United, Delta, and Southwest Airlines all fly this route, which boils down to fantastic prices for your next weekend getaway to LA.
3. McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV
Just a short hour’s flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the airport’s most popular destinations: Las Vegas.
From the peaceful beauty of Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden to the buzz of the Las Vegas Strip, it’s hard to picture these two places being so close to each other. Of course, the shared dry air and beautiful desert landscapes make it a bit easier to reconcile.
Bright neon signs, ritzy hotels, and scenic canyon views await in the shining City of Lights. As one of the busiest routes out of the Phoenix Airport, you’ll be able to find some great flights here. The majority of those flights are serviced by Southwest Airlines.
4. San Diego International Airport, San Diego, CA
Another busy California getaway out of the Phoenix Airport, San Diego is the perfect spot for a fun family vacation. You can enjoy highlights like the San Diego Zoo, considered one of the best zoos in America. Meanwhile, La Jolla Cove is the perfect place to watch sea lions and snorkel off the shore. That’s not even mentioning attractions like SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California.
Once you arrive in San Diego, you’re guaranteed to be swept away by the energetic buzz and countless opportunities for fun under the sun.
5. Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, UT
Want a chill weekend getaway? Why not hop one of the frequent flights ferrying passengers from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Salt Lake City?
Visitors will find SLC a more relaxed destination than some other popular cities out of Phoenix Sky Harbor. You can wander around this scenic city to discover local favorites like the beautiful Cathedral of the Madeleine or the Gilgal Sculpture Garden.
The highlight of a trip to Salt Lake City is, without a doubt, the laid-back atmosphere and natural splendor. Beauties like Homestead Crater and Great Salt Lakes State Park allow travelers to relax and take it all in.
6. Chicago O’Hare International & Midway International, Chicago, IL
Heading to Chicago? Travelers flying out of Phoenix Sky Harbor will be happy to know they have two airports to choose from to ensure they get the best airfare deals. Midway Airport services Southwest flights while O’Hare services flights via United and American Airlines.
That’s a lot of daily flights to Chicago. But we can understand all the buzz.
Chicago keeps its visitors busy, from stunning architecture to world-renowned museums and a good deal of family attractions. A visit in the spring or fall means the perfect weather to take a stroll along the Lakefront Trail and explore some of Chicago’s prettiest neighborhoods like Lincoln Park.
7. Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank, CA
For a getaway out of the Phoenix Airport that’s full of shopping and movies, try heading to Burbank, California. Hopping a flight is easy with one of the many daily Southwest flights headed to this media capital.
Home to movie studios like Walt Disney Studios and great shopping options like Magnolia Park, you’re bound to peek at a few outdoor film sets and score some chic new clothes for your wardrobe.
Or, you can check out Wildwood Canyon Park and La Tuna Canyon Park for some scenic, outdoor escapes.
And if you stop by the rental car center near Burbank Airport to pick up a ride, the City of Angels is less than a thirty-minute drive away.
8. Dallas Fort Worth International & Love Field, Dallas, TX
Like Chicago, the daily flights out of Phoenix Sky Harbor to Dallas are doubled with the presence of two airports.
Passengers flying out of Phoenix airport into Dallas Love Field will find themselves closer to the heart of the city. The other option is flying into Dallas/Fort Worth, the city’s bigger and busier international airport.
Once you make it out of the busy airport terminals, Dallas comes alive. With sprawling art and design districts, along with a historic downtown, Dallas’s thriving culture will take you for a spin. And if that doesn’t do it, the alcohol just might. The growing beer and brewery scene along with the wild nightlife in Uptown, Dallas will ensure your nights are never boring.
Everything you could ever want in a vacation destination, you’ll find in Dallas.
9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, WA
Located about as far north as you can get from Phoenix is one of the top ten destinations out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International: Seattle, Washington.
This hip city is best known for its coffee culture and artsy style. However, visitors that touch down in this tech metropolis will find plenty more on offer. Distinct landmarks dot the city and outside the bustling skyscrapers lay sandy beaches, waterfront parks, wild forests, and rugged mountains.
Whether you’re looking to explore art and culture in the city or dive headfirst into the great outdoors, Seattle is jam-packed with sights, smells, and activities to keep your vacation busy. It’s no wonder daily flights here abound. But that just gives travelers out of Phoenix Sky Harbor plenty of chances to visit this vibrant city.
10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, MN
Another northern getaway, though in the midwest, the Twin Cities are a popular destination out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This metropolitan area might not be as busy as downtown Seattle, but these two cities offer visitors more than just the biggest mall in America.
In the spring and summer, enjoy everything from rooftop bars to lush parks and waterfalls. Additionally, you can’t miss out on exploring the beautiful parks, trails, and lakes that make up Minneapolis’s Chain of Lakes.
In the winter, you’ll find a temporary village out on the ice once Lake Harriet freezes over—something you definitely won’t find in Phoenix. Lots of winter festivities in and around downtown Minneapolis also make for a fun winter wonderland escape!
11. John Wayne Airport (Orange County), Santa Ana, CA
With theme parks for days, Orange County might just be the perfect destination for a family vacation out of Phoenix Sky Harbor. In the home of Disneyland Park, the unbelievable becomes a reality. Visitors can enjoy parks and rides based on everything from Indiana Jones to Alice in Wonderland.
Once you’ve exhausted yourself on theme rides, then it’s time to head for the sea! Laguna Beach spoils travelers out of Phoenix with art galleries, white sand beaches, and Crystal Cove State Park.
Orange County offers nonstop fun out of the desert and out on the coast.
12. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose, CA
California’s great weather and even better destinations make getaways here out of Phoenix Airport extremely popular. Nestled amid the rolling hills of Silicon Valley, the beautiful city of San Jose is no exception.
But don’t let its status as a tech hub fool you when considering this city’s getaway potential. From interactive activities and displays at The Tech to historical neighborhoods like Little Portugal,San Jose is a city of many colors.
You’ll also encounter a bustling wine and brewery scene in here. Rather than capping off a day of exploration with a drink in the city, you can enjoy a drink and a view from any one of the vineyards dotting the mountains that surround San Jose.
Planning a Flight Out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport? Next Vacay Can Find You the Cheapest Flights to Destinations Worldwide
Phoenix Airport offers international flights to places like the UK, Canada, and other airports in countries all over the world. However, you’ll find that—charmingly enough—its most popular destinations remain rather close to home, with domestic getaways just a few short hours from The Valley.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to keep your travels local. With domestic and international flights out of Sky Harbor, you can fly anywhere in the world. With Next Vacay, you can do it all for cheap!
Next Vacay will keep you up-to-date on the best deals available out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. With all those amazing opportunities to take to the skies finding their way into your inbox, it won’t be long before they find their way onto your travel calendar.
So, wherever you dream of traveling, let us help turn those dreams into your Next Vacay!
