5 Facts About Sky Harbor International Airport You Likely Didn’t Know!
Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona’s largest airport, and one of the busiest in the U.S. However, it didn’t start that way. With nearly 100 years of history, there's a lot more to this airport then meets the eye. Here are 5 fun facts about Sky Harbor you probably don't know!
1.) "The Farm"
Back in 1928 when Sky Harbor was built, Phoenix was still a relatively small city surrounded by long stretches of farmland and desert. The airport sat so far outside the city limits that pilots jokingly called it “The Farm.”
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2.) Missing Terminals
Terminal 1 was the first modern terminal added to the airport. It was built in 1952, and it just couldn't keep up with Phoenix Arizona's rapid expansion and was demolished in 1990. The other terminals were not re-numbered, creating the “missing” terminal 1. Terminal 2 closed in 2020, and now only terminals 3 and 4 remain open.
3.) Lots of Travelers
Sky Harbor processes roughly 48 million passengers a year. In 2023 they processed 48.8 million travelers, and in 2024 and 2025 that number exceeded 50 million. That is more people than the combined populations of Ireland, Norway, Scotland, and Australia!
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4.) Museums
Sky Harbor doubles as a museum, housing over 40 display areas, 500 changing exhibitions, and 1,000 total artworks. Terminal 3 features rotating photography exhibits, large‑scale sculptures, and displays highlighting Arizona’s landscapes and cultural history. Terminal 4 highlights local art, aviation history, and also features large permanent installations.
5.) First Airport Bank
In 1956 Sky Harbor opened the nation's first airport bank service. Between 1950 and 1960 Phoenix's population went from 100,000 to nearly over 400,000, and the airport was finding ways to adapt to that. The First National Bank of Arizona set up in Sky Harbor, giving travelers on‑site financial access before ATMs were invented.
Sky Harbor has been around for nearly a century, offering travelers a variety of experiences. From an airport so small it was known as "The Farm", to an airport transporting almost 50 million people a year, it stands as a reminder of Arizona's growth. Sometimes even the smallest ideas, or airports, can take flight and turn into something massive.
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