Phoenix Sky Harbor upgrades digital maps to offer a seamless wayfinding experience

Credit: City of Phoenix Aviation Department - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has announced that its guests can soon look forward to better wayfinding by being able to navigate the airport with upgraded digital maps featuring real-time point-of-interest data, dynamic terminal directories and intuitive, user-friendly mobile navigation.

Sky Harbor ranks among the nation’s top airports, consistently recognised for implementing new, innovative technologies and a strong commitment to enhancing every facet of the passenger journey within the airport and beyond. These innovations also benefit the surrounding economy; hassle-free travel brings happy customers to the area who are willing to shop, dine and visit the many beautiful attractions that Greater Phoenix has to offer.

By working in collaboration with LocusLabs, the Sky Harbor Airport website now delivers a seamless wayfinding experience across all devices. Interactive maps allow passengers to navigate terminals and explore in-depth information about their amenities directly from any web browser on any smartphone, tablet or computer.

Among Sky Harbor Airport officials’ top priorities was to provide an easier travel experience and help passengers to search for and navigate to places that they care most about inside the airport — shops, restaurants, information kiosks and other crucial amenities. During COVID-19, mobile devices quickly transitioned from useful to essential, providing instant access to the critical information that passengers needed to begin traveling confidently.

Using the LocusMaps platform, Sky Harbor replaced their website’s static PDF maps with intuitive, accurate wayfinding software. Sky Harbor now has full control of communicating airport information and changes to passengers in real-time.

Travellers can quickly search for and navigate to check-in, security lines, open restrooms, new personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machines, COVID-19 testing sites, contactless food service or any part of the airport that they might need visit, highlighting accessible route options along the way. Even better, Sky Harbor Airport maps are also available on the mobile apps for American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and WestJet. 

Digital maps are platforms that connect travellers, airlines and operations to critical and actionable information in real-time. But travellers are not the only parties benefiting from these innovations – airport staff and airline employees need to know an airport’s spaces and assets, especially when assisting passengers or analysing operating budgets. Non-aeronautical revenue such as travel-related retail, parking and property development make up 40 per cent of airport revenue.

Passengers having difficulty finding stores, dining options or even vending machines leads to a less-than-desirable travel experience and negatively impacts airport revenue. Sky Harbor Airport’s wayfinding technology encourages guests to explore the airport, enhancing the discoverability of amenities beyond their boarding gates and offering a richer and more informed overall experience.