34 MARCH 2020 PHOTO COURTESY F CITY OF PHOENIX AVIATION DEPARTMENT By Max Bechtoldt Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was recently named the best large airport in the country for 2019. Bestowed on the airport by The Wall Street Journal , the criteria for the award is determined by a formula that considers on-time arrivals, average fares and reader grades to help determine which airports were best. Phoenix ranked high in short screening waits, fast wi-fi, Yelp restaurant reviews and short taxi-to-takeoff times. Another important factor was the airport’s proximity to downtown, which can lead to quicker and cheaper taxis and rideshares. In 2018, Denver International Airport held the top spot as the best large airport, but Sky Harbor’s commitment to improve their restaurants and wireless service vaulted them into first place. Heather Shelbrack, the public information manager for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, believes the emphasis on high quality, locally-run restaurants has been a great asset for those traveling in Phoenix. “Having local food options like Barrio Café, Blanco Tacos, La Grande Orange, Chelsea’s Kitchen, Four Peaks Brewery, Matt’s Big Breakfast, San Tan Brewery and The Tavern are popular among travelers,” said Shelbrack. “It also gives those travelers who are not from the area an opportunity to try some of Phoenix’s best local food options.” Sky Harbor also has the reputation of being America’s friendliest airport, serving over 46 million passengers in 2019. “Our goal is to deliver world-class customer service to every customer every day. In addition to enhancing our facilities, we also focus on providing travelers with an exceptional experience,” said Shelbrack. Shelbrack said a major factor in why the airport has such a good reputation is the nearly 400 volunteers who dress in purple jackets and are ready to answer questions from visitors to the airport. She says that traveling can be a miserable experience, but at Sky Harbor, they take pride in trying to make it as positive as possible. Shelbrack also said travelers love the “Navigator Buddies” program. This is a therapy dog program that gives people the chance to meet and pet therapy dogs in order to de-stress. In recent years, Sky Harbor has undergone some major improvements. The Terminal 3 Modernization Project produced an all new security checkpoint, as well as two new concourses, completely redesigned with new restaurants, sitting areas and a Delta Sky Club. Terminal 4, which was added to the airport in 1990, is the busiest terminal at Sky Harbor and has also seen major redesigns, including new restaurants and sitting areas. There is also an extension to the terminal currently in progress, which will feature eight new gates for Southwest Airlines flights. Sky Harbor is also working on extending their Sky Train to go directly to the rental car facility for increased convenience. And in February, the oldest terminal at Sky Harbor – Terminal 2 – was finally shuttered. Demolition is planned for late spring or summer and the area will be used for bus gates. All Arizona travelers going through any state airport will soon need a new I.D. Effective October 1, 2020, Sky Harbor will only accept the Arizona Travel I.D., a federal passport or other federally-approved identification for domestic travel. The cost of the Arizona Travel I.D. is $25. To get the card, you will need to bring your current driver license or I.D. card, social security card and two proof-of-address forms in order to complete the process. The Arizona Travel I.D. complies with the Real ID Act of 2005 and will work both for travel purposes and as a driver license. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport named best in the country SUMMER PROGRAMS AT PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL DETAILS & REGISTRATION AT WWW.PCDS.ORG/SUMMER JUNE 8 - JUNE 19 JUNE 22 - JULY 3 JULY 6 - JULY 17 PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 3901 E. STANFORD DRIVE PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253 GRADES K-12 ART ACADEMICS TECHNOLOGY THEATRE SPORTS TENNIS COURTS AQUATIC CENTER FULL LUNCH EXTENDED DAY Arcadia News Summ 20 1_4 page ad.indd 1 2/11/20 2:10 PM CATARACTS - PREMIUM IOL’S - DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - GLAUCOMA - DRY EYE OCULOPLASTICS & CORNEA - LASIK - MACULAR DEGENERATION - ROUTINE EXAM 7245 East Osborn Rd., #4 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 (Optical Shop Available) 300 East Osborn Rd., Suite 100 Phoenix, Arizona 85012 (Optical Shop Available) 4915 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 114 Gilbert, Arizona 85234 5620 W. Thunderbird Rd., #H-3 Glendale, Arizona 85306 13555 W. McDowell Rd., Suite 102 Goodyear, Arizona 85395 9746 N. 90th Place, Suite 101 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 (Optical Shop Available) Arizona Eye SPECIALISTS OUR GOAL FOR 2020 - YOUR VISION AT 20/20 WWW.ARIZONAEYES.NET CALL 480-994-5012, OPT 1 TO SCHEDULE.

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