Best PHX Flight Deals Book Cheap Flights to Phoenix
About Phoenix
Phoenix doesn't clamor for attention; it commands it. The capital of Arizona and the fifth-largest city in the U.S. Is set in the Sonoran Desert and features a travel experience unique to anywhere else in the country. Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine each year, a blooming arts and dining culture (centered in Roosevelt Row and Scottsdale’s Old Town), sophisticated golf resorts, and trails through mountain preserves within city limits, Phoenix has far outgrown its status as solely a winter destination. It is a full-service, year-round city with a distinct personality, and cheap flight tickets to Phoenix are a bargain if you plan your trip at the right time.
- Cheapest Month to Fly: July or August
- Cheapest Time to Book a Flight: 30-50 days out
- Cheapest Day to Fly: Tuesday or Wednesday
- Best Value Airline: Southwest Airlines; Frontier Airlines (leisure travelers)
Phoenix-Area Airports
Phoenix is a gateway city for one of the largest airport complexes in the Southwest.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Airfare to Phoenix?
Summer is the most affordable time to buy airfare to Phoenix, namely July and August. The surprisingly scorching summer heat (over 110 degrees Fahrenheit) keeps leisure traveler demand at bay, and fares plummet. Those with a high tolerance for the desert heat, or plans to remain air-conditioned (in a resort, casino, or at an indoor attraction), can take advantage of some of the cheapest airfare deals to Phoenix all year.
On the other hand, the flight demand for Phoenix is at its highest from October through April. The cold weather from the Midwest and Northeast flocks to the city in the wintertime, and in the springtime, crowds flock to Phoenix for Spring Training (the Cactus League baseball season runs February through March), the major golf tournaments, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open, in late January or early February, and during spring break. In any of those months, flights to Phoenix from cold cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, or Detroit may be 45-75% higher than average airfares.
Comparing the Airlines Operating in PHX
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is an airport that receives over 46 million travelers each year and has connections to hundreds of domestic and international destinations. The main airlines flying out of PHX are detailed below.
Southwest Airlines:
- Two checked bags are free on every fare, and no change or cancellation fees.
- Has one of its largest route networks at PHX, covering many cities throughout the Western U.S., Midwest, and Southern states, and is usually the cheapest option for a cheap domestic flight to Phoenix.
American Airlines:
- Carry-on and personal bags are included (Main Cabin), and only a personal bag is included with Basic Economy.
- PHX is one of the American Airlines hubs, so they have a huge domestic network in addition to international options available through partner airlines. Travelers from the East Coast may receive the most benefit.
Frontier Airlines:
- Low base fares are charged with extra fees for checked bags, carry-ons, and assigned seating.
- Cheapest for a flight that does not involve any checked luggage. Add-on costs can be bundled to decrease the individual price, but always do the math!
Delta Air Lines:
- Carry-on and personal bags are included (Main Cabin), and only a personal bag is included with Basic Economy.
- Fly out of Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles hubs, so they offer many options to East and West Coast destinations. Their SkyMiles program and option for Comfort+ seating often appeal to business travelers.
United Airlines:
- Carry-on and personal bags are included (Economy), and only a personal bag is included with Basic Economy.
- They operate their biggest hubs out of Chicago, Denver, Houston, and San Francisco, so this is another great option for travelers with a connecting flight in the Midwest or the Pacific regions.
Hidden Fees To Check Before You Book
Because PHX and AZA are favored routes for ultra-low-cost carriers, the potential for hidden fees is extremely high. Frontier and Allegiant, both flying into/out of PHX and AZA, respectively, operate unbundled pricing strategies, in which your fare only truly covers a seat. Everything else-checked bag, carry-on bag, assigned seat, priority boarding-incurs its own fee, which, when all tallied, could drive the "low-cost" fare significantly higher than that of a comparable ticket on American or Southwest.
Before you click to book, you may want to consider whether or not
- Overhead carry-on or just an under-seat personal item is permitted with your fare.
- The size requirements of personal items: oversized carry-ons are charged the highest applicable checked bag rate when found at the gate.
- If the ticket is refundable or changeable. Most Basic Economy or ultra-low-cost tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable.
- Resort fees, hotel additions, or rental car insurance have been pre-bundled into any package deal you are considering.
Disclaimer: Always use CompareMost to make an all-in-one side-by-side comparison of all airlines and travel sites before choosing a Phoenix fare. Ultimately, the total cost with fees will be what really matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions visitors commonly ask before travelling:
