A Day at Arizona's Workhorse: Falcon Field
Introduction
Falcon Field (IATA: MSC, ICAO: KFFZ, FAA LID: FFZ) is a public airport located in Maricopa County of the U.S. state of Arizona; it lies 14 miles to the east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Designed at its creation 6 miles northeast of Mesa, this facility now sits within the city limits and is primarily used as a reliever airport to Phoenix.
Airlines and Destinations
Falcon Field serves mostly general and business aviation aircraft, including private and corporate. Among all the airports in Maricopa County, there has been no regularly scheduled commercial airline service at this airport since Western Express Air's flights to Bullhead City ended in January 2007.
Number of Passengers and Flights
Falcon Field, a general aviation airport, does not account for passenger totals or flight-to-flight numbers. But it is also a favorite for private pilots and corporate aviation, offering an easier in-and-out than the more crowded Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
How to Get Here
Falcon Field is 14 miles east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is located near State Route 202 and Greenfield Road. Drivers should follow the signs to the airport's main entrance.
Parking
The facility is open 24/7, including the Police primary and Fire EMS dispatch positions, with satellite parking lots for visitors and pilots to park on-site. There is an on-site airport-operated parking lot with both long and short-term options.
Transportation Prices
There is no public transportation service available at Falcon Field. The airport is connected to Phoenix by a two-lane highway — getting there requires a personal vehicle, rental car, or an Uber/Lyft.
Terminal Layout
Since Falcon Field is a general aviation airport, it does not have the typical passenger terminal. Its facilities are designed primarily to support private and corporate aviation, with hangars, fixed-base operators (FBOs), and offices servicing it.
Navigate the Airport
Getting around Falcon Field is easy—it was built to cater primarily for general aviation, in the civilian and business sectors. Its locations have good signage, and its two parallel runways even make it easy to find (4L/22R, 4R/22L).
Getting Between Terminals
Since this airport does not have a conventional passenger terminal, there is no hassle of moving from one stop to another. There are several FBOs and aviation services available from the airport's ramp and taxiways for both pilots and passengers.
Services and Amenities
Falcon Field provides a variety of services and amenities to accommodate private, corporate, and governmental air traffic, such as fueling and maintenance, repair services, and aircraft storage areas with hangar space. There are also on-site restaurants and lounges for pilots as well as passengers.
Restaurants and Shops
Pilots will find a modest selection of dining and shopping available on-site at Falcon Field. You can also find a handful of food and beverage outlets as well as some aviation-related retail.
Security and Customs
This is a general aviation airport and has the same security measures that you would expect at any major commercial airport, but on a much smaller scale than say Sky Harbor. As this is an exclusively domestic airport, there are no customs facilities.
Accessibility
Falcon Field is purpose-built to serve private and corporate aviation, with facilities and infrastructure that have been customized for their needs. The venue can be reached by private car and has exclusive areas for people with disabilities.
Travel Tips
If you frequent Falcon Field, mind that the field has a higher mix of general/business aviation operations. Travelers should prepare, contact the airport to determine if there are any specific procedures they follow or requirements needed, and otherwise expect a much more efficient experience than is typical of a larger commercial hub.