Quick Flight Search Network

Flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

About This Project

How a Volunteer Project Turned Into a Suite of Digital Tools for Helping Passengers at Sky Harbor Airport

A Frustration That Sparked an Idea

I began volunteering at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in 2017 as part of the Navigator program — a team of volunteers stationed throughout the airport to assist passengers with directions, services, and travel information.

One of the earliest challenges I encountered was finding accurate, up-to-date flight information. While there were multiple sources online, none were ideal for our needs — especially when using mobile phones in a busy terminal.

I wanted something that was:

  • Mobile-friendly
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Focused solely on Sky Harbor operations

From a Simple Search Page to a Full App

My first attempt was a basic HTML page that passed flight number queries to the airport’s website. It worked — for a while — until backend changes broke it.

Although I had a background in technology, most of my skills were outdated or limited to static web design. I began experimenting and learning modern tools like Python, Flask, AWS, and Linux, eventually creating a functional flight search app tailored for airport volunteers. It’s now feature-rich, user-friendly, and offers multiple ways to look up flights quickly.

Expanding to Other Resources

Over time, I created additional tools to meet volunteers’ needs:

  • Restaurant Finder: Compact list of airport restaurants organized by terminal and location.
  • Click-to-Call Directory: Mobile-friendly list of frequently used airport phone numbers.
  • Shops Directory: Sortable list of airport shops by name, type, or location.
  • Quick Links Hub: Central site with links to all tools and useful airport resources.

Why I Built These Tools

Volunteers are often given printed handouts — maps, lists, numbers, etc. These aren't always updated or easy to use on mobile. My tools aim to provide:

  • Fast, reliable, and updated information
  • Optimized design for use on phones while volunteering
  • Content focused solely on Sky Harbor Airport operations

Challenges and Hopes

While I find these tools invaluable, most volunteers haven’t adopted them. It could be due to lack of awareness, perceived complexity, or simply a preference for paper or official resources.

That said, one fellow volunteer uses them frequently and has even suggested great improvements — a validation that keeps me motivated and a sign that these tools can be genuinely useful to the right audience.

What’s Next

I'm now working to consolidate everything under one domain. While the Quick Links page brings most tools together, the Flight Search App remains the flagship and needs to be instantly accessible.

These tools aren't meant for general travel planning. They are specifically designed to help volunteers and staff assist passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Anyone is welcome to use them — as long as they understand the focused scope.

Motivation and Intentions

This project is entirely volunteer-driven — just like the work that inspired it. I cover the small monthly hosting cost (about $5) and it is something I’m happy to cover myself. The only return I hope for is the satisfaction of creating something useful for myself and others.

My goal has always been to make it easier for volunteers and staff to assist passengers quickly, accurately, and with confidence. If this project helps even one person have a better travel experience, it’s worth it.