What's new at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 3, the newly renamed John McCain III Terminal
Melissa Yeager
Brandishing a pair of oversize scissors, Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams smiled as she waited for the cue.
Then she cut the ceremonial ribbon to allow a jubilant crowd to see the renovated south concourse in the newly renamed John McCain III Terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Right behind the mayor, Cindy McCain took in the scene at Terminal 3, which now bears the name of her late husband, Sen. John McCain.
“It’s very bittersweet obviously. I wish he were here. He would have loved this more than anything. He would have loved the aviators up there,” Cindy McCain said with a small smile, referring to the 25-foot by 9-foot art installation created by artist Donald Lipski.
The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously in November 2017 to name the terminal after McCain. Though he would not live to see the renovations, the council told him about the decision to name the terminal in his honor.
“It was very emotional. I’ve known Sen. McCain for 30 years. A long time,” Williams said.
The airport will eventually hang bronze plaques around the terminal in memorial of McCain and his contributions to aviation in Arizona.
“I know that he is the reason we have the aviation industry here. This is where the world comes to learn to fly F-35s and it is all because of him. And I think he was very pleased to recognize that we recognized his contributions,” Williams said.
A LOOK AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR'S NEW TERMINAL 3:
Cindy McCain said her husband was indeed touched when he learned of the council's decision.
“It really brought his spirits up a great deal because he was pretty sick when we found out,” she said.
McCain said that having her husband's name on the new terminal meant a lot to the McCain family, as an airport is often the first impression visitors have of a community. She hopes it will offer a warm welcome to those visiting Arizona.
“This airport is world class and what it should say about Arizona and Phoenix is that it is a world class destination,” said McCain.
Highlights of the new concourse
Passengers on flights arriving after 8 p.m. Monday will be the first to use the renovated 15-gate concourse. Here's what they'll find:
- Panoramic windows.
- Electrical outlets at each seat.
- An indoor, post-security animal relief area.
- A playground.
- A nursing room.
- Local-favorite restaurants such as The Parlor Pizzeria, Mark Tarbell's The Tavern, Mustache Pretzels and San Tan Brewing Company.
- New stores including L’Occitane, Soul Shades, Best of the Valley, Indigenous/Mosaic and Tech on the Go.
- Works by local artist Teresa Villegas.
- An art installation of aviator sunglasses by Donald Lipski.
Improvements at Terminal 3
The opening of the south concourse represents the second phase of a $590 million project that began in 2015. The first phase, completed in December 2016, consolidated the security checkpoints, added ticket counters and baggage carousels, expanded baggage-handling capacity and attracted more food, beverage and retail options.
The first and second components of the renovation caused some minor headaches for those visiting the terminal. But airport staff say those inconveniences are now over and they hope the public will be impressed by the upgrades.
"When you remodel a house, it is a lot more challenging than when you build a new house," James Bennett, Sky Harbor’s Director of Aviation Services, said about the process.
The most recent phase introduced technology upgrades as well as improved food, beverage and retail options. Along with amenities to better serve those who are hearing impaired and family-friendly amenities like a playground and nursing room, the concourse also boasts new common-use gates. This means that any of the gates can accommodate any airline at any time, allowing the airport to move planes from gate to gate when needed.
This may not be a feature that attracts airlines or travelers, but it will help the airport more efficiently serve the airlines and travelers.
“Terminals don’t help you attract new service. The strength of your local market helps you attract new service. But what this does do is give us the ability to better serve those airlines once they are here in Phoenix,” Bennett said.
The final phase, which includes expanded restaurant options such as Shake Shack, is expected to be completed by 2020. After that, the airport plans to shutter Terminal 2 and move its airlines to Terminal 3.
Terminal 3 was built in 1979. It is home to Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Hawaiian Airlines.
New Delta Sky Club
The concourse also contains Delta Air Lines' newly renovated Sky Club. The 7,500-square-foot lounge has décor inspired by the views of the desert landscape, comfortable seating, WiFi and plugs at every seat.
It will offer tequila tastings, complimentary seasonal cocktails and wines selected by Delta Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and signature food items like the Sky Bowl, which guests can assemble to their liking from grains, vegetables and proteins.
On the walls, Delta has commissioned artwork from local and regional artists. One such installation looks like pieces of petrified wood but is composed of recycled newspapers.
MORE ABOUT SKY HARBOR AIRPORT
- Looking for a job? Shake Shack and other Sky Harbor restaurants are hiring
- What you get at club lounges at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
- Phoenix allows airport restaurants to raise prices
- Sky Harbor is named the best U.S. airport for the second time
