Philadelphia airports adding new routes, upgrades ahead of 2026 events
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Big improvements and new routes are coming to Philadelphia airports over the next two years.
Why it matters: Philly's two airports will be the gateways to the city for hundreds of thousands of visitors traveling here for high-profile events in 2026, including FIFA World Cup matches.
🏗️ The big picture: Airports around the country have been installing modern amenities and boosting accessibility and accommodations for travelers with different needs.
💰 State of play: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport are spending more than $540 million for around 50 projects ahead of the summer of 2026, per the Philadelphia Business Journal.
- Federal and state funding, along with the airports' own coffers, will bankroll them.
- The bulk of the money is for PHL, while Northeast will receive approximately $42 million.
What they're saying: The goal is to improve the traveler experience at the airports, Philadelphia Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed told the Journal.
Context: PHL is overdue for renovations. Many terminals were constructed in the 1950s and fall short of today's standards.
- And PHL's reputation isn't stellar: It ranks among the worst when it comes to customer satisfaction, as well as reliability, value and convenience among similar-size airports.
Zoom in: The projects include upgrading terminals, renovating taxiways and building public areas before security checkpoints, per the Business Journal.
- Plus: Public bathroom renovations (which began in 2012).
🛋️ Meanwhile, American Airlines, PHL's largest carrier, will debut its Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge in Terminal A-West next year.
🌍 New routes: PHL is looking to add more routes to international destinations in Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East.
- The airport is already adding routes to Edinburgh, Scotland, and Milan, Italy, starting next summer.
🎉 Zoom out: Philly's 2026 agenda is jam-packed with events tied to the 250th anniversary of America's independence, the World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game.
- The World Trade Centers Association's 56th Global Business Forum, which is expected to attract hundreds of companies and business leaders, is also set for Philly that year.
What's next: PHL needs nearly 20 new gates by 2040 to keep up with demand.