Skip to main content
Airway Cubes
Airway Cubes is an independent flight-catalog desk, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any airline, carrier, alliance, or operator. Not an airline, ticket agent, OTA, or seller of travel. Carrier categories are tracked editorially; final fares and terms are confirmed at our partner OTAs. Full disclaimer →
THE DESERT PREP

A pre-trip checklist for the Sonoran

Phoenix is one of the hottest major US cities and the Sonoran desert has a real monsoon season. Here's what the catalog desk thinks every traveler should know before stacking a cube into or out of PHX.

Heat advisories (May–September)

From May through September, the National Weather Service issues Excessive Heat Warnings when daytime highs cross 110°F. PHX consistently averages 100°F+ from June through August. Plane tarmacs can exceed 140°F; ground-stop delays caused by aircraft weight limits at extreme temperatures are not rare. Build a 90-minute buffer for connections in the summer.

Monsoon season (July–September)

The North American Monsoon hits Phoenix from early July through late September. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms can produce 60mph microbursts, blowing dust (haboobs), and lightning ground stops at PHX. If you must travel in monsoon season, book morning departures; late-afternoon departures are the most likely to be delayed or cancelled.

REAL ID at PHX TSA

As of May 7, 2025, REAL ID is required for all domestic US flights. PHX TSA checkpoints check IDs against the REAL ID standard at the document checkpoint, before the body scan. Travelers without a REAL ID or valid passport are turned around. Arizona DPS issues REAL ID at any MVD office; bring proof of identity, proof of SSN, and two proofs of AZ residency.

Hydration and packing

Pack a reusable water bottle in your carry-on; PHX has dozens of hydration stations past security. Pack a light long-sleeve layer even in summer (planes and rental cars are aggressively air-conditioned). Sunscreen is essential year-round; the UV index at PHX hits 11+ from May through August. Sunglasses, a brimmed hat, and lightweight long pants for desert hikes are catalog-desk standards.

Ground transport

PHX Sky Train connects all terminals to the Valley Metro Rail in 5 minutes; the rail goes to downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa for $2 a ride. Uber and Lyft both operate from the dedicated rideshare lot at terminals 3 and 4. Rental car center is a 5-minute Sky Train ride from any terminal.