Except for reaching the intended destination safely, air travel is always stressful - from booking the tickets, packing the bags, rushing to the airport on time, passing through security checkpoints, and even boarding the aircraft. But Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has been trying to make passengers' journeys less stressful and more convenient.

Initially introduced in May last year as a soft launch, the airport unveiled a new pilot program that aimed at helping passengers manage their flight journeys and eliminate uncertainty and stress over the airport security processes by acting as a virtual queue assistant on the go.

What is the PHX Reserve?

After seeing success from last year's soft launch, Phoenix Sky Harbor officially released the program - known as PHX Reserve. This program came from the airport's partnership with Copenhagen Optimization and CLEAR, so think of it as a similar scheme to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck and CLEAR, whereby passengers enrolled in that routine will have their own dedicated security lane and convenient benefits for TSA checkpoints.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

And PHX Reserve works about the same, except it only allows passengers to schedule a specific time slot for their TSA screening, like how people would book an appointment for when they wish to visit the salon or doctor. Compared to the other programs mentioned, PHX Reserve is entirely free because there's a catch; the lack of additional benefits like an expedited process since it only reduces the wait time.

How does it work?

The other catch for PHX Reserve being free is that it's only available at Terminal 3 between 04:00 and 11:00, meaning only flights between 05:00 to 14:00 are eligible. It is also available at Terminal 4 Security Checkpoint D between 07:00 and 11:00, so only flights between 07:00 and 15:00 are eligible. And since it's free of charge, all passengers must do is sign up in advance up to six days before their scheduled flight.

Passengers can also sign up on the spot if they arrive at the ticketing level of the terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor at least an hour before the scheduled flight time. During the sign-up process, details such as the airline flown with, destination, flight name, and personal details of the passengers are to be keyed in. Once all that is done and saved, passengers can select among the time allocations offered and reserve their desired slot.

Photo: PHX Reserve

It's worth noting that appointment slots are limited, given the program's short operating hours. Then when it is time for their appointment at the committed time, they need to head toward the assigned checkpoint given by PHX Reserve and look for the program's logo or use the online map for step-by-step directions. At the designated checkpoint, passengers are to show the airport staff confirmation of their appointment before being allowed to go through screening.

Who is eligible for PHX Reserve?

To ensure fairness, the PHX Reserve program is only available to general passengers. All TSA PreCheck passengers should be screened at their assigned checkpoint if they wish to use that scheme's benefits still, and all CLEAR passengers must go to their dedicated lanes to have their expedited experiences. But if members of these paid programs wish to use PHX Reserve, it's allowed if they are willing to follow general screening practices.

The PHX Reserve program is not mandatory as it only provides a free convenience option for departing passengers. Connecting passengers need not try the program if they are staying in the terminal behind airport security, but passengers connecting to another flight in Terminals 3 or 4 from a different terminal may give PHX Reserve a shot. Passengers traveling in a group may also use the program, although the maximum group size for one appointment is 10 passengers.

Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Bottom line

While it might not sound like much, a virtual queueing assistant like the PHX Reserve program could be handy for passengers, especially during the peak travel seasons. And for those struggling with time management, fret not, as canceling or rescheduling the initial appointment made is possible at no extra charge either.

Would you try using the PHX Reserve program or prefer the added benefits of paid schemes like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR? Let us know in the comments below.