✈️ Flight Guide: Detroit (DTW) → Phoenix (PHX)

Major events around Phoenix that affect economy fares include the Waste Management Phoenix Open (February), Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction (January), Fall baseball spring-training arrival surges (February–March), Arizona State University graduation (May), and Phoenix Pride Festival (April). During these events, economy fares from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) typically rise—book early or choose nearby alternate dates to secure cheaper economy tickets. For travel to nearby destinations like Scottsdale, Mesa, or Tucson, factor in local event timing when searching for economy flights.

The best time to fly from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for cheap economy fares is during shoulder seasons (late January–February and September–early November) and midweek (Tuesday–Thursday). Avoid major holiday peaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas–New Year, late July) when fares spike. Early-morning and late-night flights usually have lower demand and better economy pricing. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for domestic economy and 2–4 months for international economy routes for optimal savings.

Direct non-stop economy flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) are faster and reduce the risk of missed connections but are often more expensive than connecting itineraries. Connecting flights can be significantly cheaper in economy class, particularly when connecting through major hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Denver (DEN), but they add travel time and connection risk. For budget travelers prioritizing price, connecting economy routes often offer the best fares—just allow ample connection time and avoid minimum-connection tight itineraries on basic economy tickets.

Southwest Airlines often offers competitive economy fares from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) with two free checked bags and flexible rebooking policies, making it a strong choice for value-minded travelers. Frontier and Spirit provide ultra-low-cost economy base fares but charge add-on fees for baggage and seat selection. American, Delta, and United typically offer more schedule frequency and route options with basic and standard economy classes; their standard economy fares may include one carry-on and better change/cancellation policies. Compare total price including baggage and seat fees to determine the true cheapest economy option.

Winter (Dec–Feb): Look for post-holiday January deals and low fares to warm destinations. Spring (Mar–May): Book early for spring break; use shoulder-season weeks for discounts. Summer (Jun–Aug): Expect peak fares—travel midweek or fly late-night to save. Fall (Sep–Nov): One of the best seasons for cheap economy fares and smooth arrivals; explore September and October for deals. Always compare total trip cost (fares + baggage) and consider alternate airports and midweek travel to reduce overall spend. For connecting itineraries, avoid basic economy on tight connection windows.

Typical departure windows at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) include early morning (5–9 AM), midday (10 AM–2 PM), and evening peaks (4–8 PM). Short-haul economy flights to West Coast cities (Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas LAS, San Diego SAN) average 1–2 hours, while cross-country economy flights (Chicago ORD, New York JFK) generally take 3.5–5 hours. International economy flight times vary by destination—Mexico City (MEX) about 3.5 hours, Central America 4–6 hours, and Europe usually with connections totaling 12+ hours. For cheapest economy schedules, prioritize off-peak departures and red-eyes for reduced demand.

To find cheap economy flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), use flexible-date searches, compare low-cost carriers (Southwest, Frontier, Spirit) against legacy carriers, and search nearby airports like Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) for alternatives. Sign up for fare alerts, follow airline sale windows (usually Tuesday–Thursday), and consider booking 6–10 weeks out for domestic economy fares. For international economy deals, start searching 2–4 months before travel and monitor flash sales. CTA: Compare cheap economy fares from PHX today and set price alerts to capture limited-time discounts.

Tips

• Use flexible dates and +/-3 day calendars to spot lowest economy fares.
• Search secondary airports and alternate arrival cities to reduce cost.
• Bundle baggage or buy economy-plus when total cost of add-ons exceeds fare savings.
• Set fare alerts and follow carrier newsletters for flash sales from PHX.