SEPTA’s Airport Line Marks 40 Years of Service

On Monday, April 28, SEPTA's popular Airport Line marked its 40th year of service.

According to a SEPTA blog, the Airport Line began on April 28, 1985. It runs every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and weekends and stops at all major Philadelphia International Airport terminals. Philadelphia is one of the few cities in the country with a rail line connecting directly to a major airport terminal.

The Airport Line connects to every SEPTA Regional Rail line, including the L; the B; the T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 lines; and dozens of SEPTA bus routes.

According to SEPTA, the Airport Line has enabled the city to bring major conferences, sporting events, and international activities to Philadelphia, including Pope Francis' visit in 2015. 

SEPTA's Airport Line is a lifeline for everyone who works at Philadelphia International Airport, from the Division of Aviation employees who live all over the city to flight crews and concessions staff. Close to 18,000 total "badged" employees work within the airport for various employers and perform multiple functions, including operations, security, concessions, and logistics.

Amid the 40th birthday celebration, however, is a looming SEPTA fiscal year 2026 budget proposal that includes 45% in service cuts, fare increases, workforce reductions, and a 9 p.m. curfew for all rail services. 

According to the SEPTA blog, "The impact of the proposed service cuts will be felt throughout the city and region as reliable options for everyday travel will be greatly diminished. The effects on businesses that rely on SEPTA — including Philadelphia International Airport and the region's tourism industry — would be immediate and far-reaching."

SEPTA states that if a permanent state transit funding plan does not materialize, weekday and weekend service on the Airport Line will be reduced from 30 minutes to hourly beginning in August. Starting in January 2026, the Airport Line will not provide service after 9 p.m.