If you’re standing in Terminal 4 right now looking at a screen of red text, you aren't alone. Honestly, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has been a bit of a whirlwind today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. While "America’s Friendliest Airport" usually lives up to the name, a mix of post-holiday fatigue, technical upgrades, and some lingering national weather patterns has made for a choppy Sunday for thousands of travelers.
Basically, if you've been wondering what happened at Sky Harbor airport today, it’s a combination of three major things: the aftermath of a massive international launch, ongoing Terminal 3 construction bottlenecks, and a handful of strategic cancellations that have left some folks stranded. It’s not a total meltdown, but it’s definitely not a "breeze through security" kind of day.
The Starlux Effect and New International Routes
The biggest news hovering over the tarmac this week—and still causing a buzz today—is the brand-new nonstop service to Taipei. Starlux Airlines officially touched down for its inaugural flight just a couple of days ago on January 15, and the airport is still in "celebration mode" (which, let's be real, usually means extra crowds and curious onlookers).
Mayor Kate Gallego was just here celebrating this as a "milestone event," finally ending the streak of Phoenix being the only major U.S. city without a direct link to Asia. While that’s great for the economy, the sheer volume of international processing is adding a new layer of complexity to Terminal 4 operations. You've probably noticed more staff in high-vis vests and a bit more confusion near the international gates as the airport adjusts to this heavy-duty partnership with American Airlines.
Why Your Flight Might Be Red on the Board
Let's talk about the cancellations. According to the latest data from the PHX flight trackers, we’ve seen about 10 significant disruptions today—split right down the middle with 5 cancellations and 5 major delays.
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Specifically, if you were trying to get to Bakersfield (BFL) or San Jose (SJC), you might have had a rough morning.
- Flight 6197 to Bakersfield: Cancelled.
- Flight 9663 to San Jose: Cancelled.
- Flight 9908 to Salt Lake City: Also hit the "CX" status code.
Why? It’s a domino effect. The FAA reported ground stops and delay programs earlier today in major hubs like New York (LGA/JFK) and Philadelphia (PHL). Even though the sun is shining in Phoenix, when the East Coast gets hit with wind and low clouds, the planes don’t show up here on time. It's the classic aviation headache. If your plane is stuck in a de-icing line in Detroit, it’s not going to be at Gate B13 in Phoenix at 3:00 PM.
Construction Chaos at Terminal 3
If you tried to drive into the airport from the west today, you probably noticed the traffic was... let's say, "unpleasant."
The airport is currently in the middle of a massive $326 million North 2 Concourse project in Terminal 3. They are adding six new passenger gates, but that comes with a price: nightly road closures and rerouted traffic. Today, the "heavy traffic" warnings are in full effect. Airport officials are literally begging people to enter from the east side or just take the PHX Sky Train from the 44th Street station.
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Seriously, if you are heading to the airport in the next few hours, do not trust your usual 20-minute drive time. It's taking closer to 45 minutes for some people just to get through the terminal loop.
The Spirit Airlines Exit
There’s also a bit of a somber mood at the low-cost carrier desks. You might have noticed fewer yellow planes. Spirit Airlines officially slashed its service and began its exit from Sky Harbor earlier this month. For budget travelers, this has left a bit of a vacuum. While Porter Airlines and Starlux are expanding, the loss of Spirit’s routes means fewer "last-minute cheap seats" for local students and families, which is a common complaint overheard at the coffee stands today.
Tips for Dealing with PHX Today
If you are stuck there right now, or heading there shortly, here is the "real-world" survival guide. Forget the official brochures; this is what’s actually happening on the ground.
First, check your terminal. With all the new international flights and the Terminal 3 construction, some gates have shifted. Don’t just assume your airline is where it was last year. Terminal 4 is the busiest, and while security wait times are currently hovering around 8-15 minutes for most checkpoints, Checkpoint B has been spiking periodically.
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Second, use the new parking guidance system. If you’re driving, don’t circle the garage like a shark. The airport just finished installing a high-tech guidance system that shows exactly where the open spots are. It actually works.
Third, the food situation. If you’re in Terminal 4 and have a long delay, head toward the local spots like Barrio Cafe or Lo-Lo’s. The lines are long today because of the flight delays, but it's better than sitting at a gate with a sad bag of pretzels.
What to Do if You're Delayed
If your flight was one of the unlucky few marked "Cancelled" or "Now [Several Hours Later]," don't just stand in the customer service line. That's a rookie move.
- Get on the app. Usually, you can rebook yourself faster on the airline's mobile app than the agent can.
- Check the "Dementia Friendly" workshop info. Interestingly, PHX just entered its fourth year of being a leader in accessible travel. If you are traveling with someone who has cognitive issues and the chaos today is becoming too much, look for the "Compassion Carts" or ask a volunteer for help. They are actually trained for this.
- Watch the clock. We are currently 226 days out from the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four. There’s a giant countdown clock in the terminal that’s become a popular photo op today. It’s a good distraction for the kids.
The bottom line? Sky Harbor is growing fast—maybe a little too fast for its own infrastructure on a busy Sunday in January. The combination of the Starlux Asia launch, the Terminal 3 construction, and East Coast weather ripples has made today a test of patience.
Next Steps for Your Travel:
- Check the FAA National Airspace System status before leaving your house to see if your destination (not just Phoenix) is under a ground stop.
- Switch your entry point to the East side of the airport to avoid the Terminal 3 bottleneck.
- Download the PHX Sky Harbor App to monitor live security wait times, which are changing by the minute this afternoon.
Sky Harbor remains one of the most efficient airports in the country, but even the best have "off" days. Today is one of them. Pack some extra patience, a portable charger, and maybe a light jacket—the AC in Terminal 4 is blasting today.