PHL Airport - long layover

Posted by Katheryne (Chattanooga, TN USA) on 02/03/25 10:29 PM

I have a long layover later this month in Philadelphia airport, connecting to Lisbon on American Airlines. It's been years since I've been in PHL, would love to hear from some frequent travelers that transit through there.
1. I have no status on American but read that day passes to the Admiral Club are available for $79. Has anyone tried this? How did it work?
2. Assuming no club access, any other recommendations for passing time there? I see there is a spa so could get pedicure or massage while waiting.
3. Any recs for decent airport food?

It appears Terminal A is International, is that correct? Thanks for any tips you can provide.

Posted by JimD

Upstate New York

02/04/25 12:19 AM

111 posts

A couple years back I had a lengthy layover at Philadelphia Airport, about five hours. I was flying economy. On American. What to do? Frankly, PHL is, shall I say, not my favorite airport, especially for a long layover. I was able to purchase a day pass at the AA lounge. I think then it was $59.oo back then. Money very well spent. Good food and drink, quiet and calm. I was able to relax, read. As far as the cost goes, think about what you would do otherwise. Most likely you would have a meal and a drink at one of the airport restaurants. Crowded and noisy. Considering airport prices, you would probably spend at least half of what the lounge will cost. Thus, that in my mind makes the lounge price seem very reasonable and a great way to prepare for your transatlantic flight..

As far as my flight over to Europe, having eaten a good meal at the lounge, I was able to skip the airplane food and rest a little more.

Go for the lounge! You won’t regret it.

Posted by bostonphil7

Austin, TX

02/04/25 12:31 AM

2434 posts

How long is your layover? I had such a long layover in October that I was able to change my flight to an earlier one.

The Philadelphia airport is huge or maybe it seems that way because it was my first and only time there. I believe that i have read that it was voted the worst airport in the United States.

My memory is that there is a nice hotel in the airport so there might be rooms by the hour and or other things to do. There would possibly be restaurants, a spa, bars, and gift stores.

UPDATE: found this information for you
https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/philadelphia-airport-guide.htm

Posted by Katheryne OP

Chattanooga, TN USA

02/04/25 12:26 PM

601 posts

Thanks JimD for the info on the lounge. We are leaning that direction, I wasn't sure how difficult it might be to gain access.

Bostonphil, ticket was a great deal purchased with points so changing to another flight is not an option. We knew about the long layover when we booked the trip. Thanks for the link to airport info.

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

02/04/25 03:13 PM

731 posts

Trips booked with points can be changed with no penalty, whenever. So while I
can appreciate that you got a great deal and it's unlikely you can change to a
better connection for the same (or less) amount of points, it isn't the worst thing
to do to check once or twice before your trip.

Sidebar - booking with points should almost always be done as 1-way trips, not
roundtrips. If you want to change one leg, you don't have to give up the other
leg to do it.

As for lounges, if you have an AMEX plat card, there is a Centurion Lounge in PHL.
There's also a Minute Lounge if you have Priority Pass. If neither, I agree that the
1-day Admirals Club pass is best. Just make sure that the lounge is accepting those
passes before you purchase, as they are generally not refundable.

PHL Lounges