It’s an exciting day for Portland, as the main new terminal has just opened at Portland International Airport (PDX). Generally airports in the United States aren’t much to get excited about, but this looks stunning.
In this post:
Basics of Portland Airport’s new terminal
As of today (August 14, 2024), the main new terminal has opened at Portland International Airport. Construction has been underway for years at a cost of $2.15 billion, so this is no doubt something that travelers passing through the airport will appreciate.
There’s a lot to love about the new terminal, though perhaps the most exciting thing is the extent to which the terminal reflects the Pacific Northwest, from the local timber used to build it, to the shops inside.
The first thing that stands out about the new terminal is the design. The terminal has touches of the region’s signature greenery and landscape, with over 70 towering live trees, and over 5,000 plants, plus soft daylight filters through the wooden roof. It’s supposed to feel like walking through a forest, which is pretty cool, if you ask me.
The new terminal also has technical upgrades, including wider TSA checkpoints and new equipment, to make the screening process more efficient. Furthermore, passengers can now check in at airline ticket counters arranged in four “islands,” to better accommodate future growth.
The dining and shopping at the airport has also been greatly expanded, and is heavily focused on local businesses in the community. From Grassa, to Portland Coffee Roasters, to Pilot House Distilling, there are lots of unique options.
Here’s how Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of Port of Portland, describes the new terminal:
“Our focus throughout this entire project was: How do we reflect the pride and love we all have for the region, in the new PDX? And that question drove every decision. To work with locally-owned small businesses using local materials, to fill the new PDX with local art and shops from our favorite neighborhoods—and, of course, to bring back the iconic carpet. It was a lot of local love for the Pacific Northwest that made it all happen.”
While the new terminal opening is a major milestone, it’s not the end of improvements at the airport. In the next and final phase of this project, we’ll see even more local shops and restaurants added, plus meet and greet areas, and more. This is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Expect a new Alaska Lounge Portland in 2026
Alaska Airlines is the biggest airline in Portland. Unfortunately the current Alaska Lounge Portland is on the small side, and kind of underwhelming. The good news is that there’s a new Alaska Lounge in the works. The bad news is that we’ll have to be patient.
The current plan is for the new Alaska Lounge Portland to open in 2026, coinciding with the final phase of the terminal redevelopment project.
The new Alaska Lounge Portland is expected to be 12,000 square feet, with a “modern Pacific Northwest vibe.” The lounge will include all the signature Alaska Lounge elements, like a barista station, a cozy fireplace, and great views of the new terminal.
Bottom line
The long awaited new terminal has finally opened at Portland Airport. Portland has long had an airport that’s popular with consumers, but this new airport really takes it to the next level. This has to be one of the nicest terminal designs we’ve seen anywhere in the country. I also love the heavy emphasis on the region, from the design, to the shops and dining outlets.
Now if only the lounge situation would improve. The new Alaska Lounge can’t come soon enough…
What do you make of the new terminal at Portland Airport?
The most important part of this story is that they're bringing back the carpet. The old carpet is fully a cult item for people who fly through there (it even has a wikipedia page). Love it.
Wow, that is actually stunning and very lovely for an American Airport - and completely unrecognisable from when I was there a couple of years ago. I love the real greenery and symbolises Oregon well. Also nerdy note, so pleased they brought back a bit of of old carpet pattern, iconic - I have that on a t-shirt haha!
I read somewhere about a new Escape lounge opening soon, do not see any info on that
Looks beautiful. But this comment is about the article… Why is there no mention of who the architect is?
It almost reminds me of the aesthetic of the fictional airport in the Apple TV show “Sunny,” if any of you have watched it.
Who needs an overcrowded airline lounge with a place a nice as this?! Thanks for the post.
Looks very similar to BLR T2.
Reminiscent of BLR T2
Yes I agree, I feel BLR & PDX are like sister airports, similar design
My wife and I got to try out the counters and security as part of several hundred volunteers shaking down the systems before the opening. The space is indeed beautiful however the new machines were extremely slow and the bins kept hanging up on the conveyor resulting in an enormous line waiting to clear security. On the other hand as noted its now possible to easily move from one wing to the other post TSA...
My wife and I got to try out the counters and security as part of several hundred volunteers shaking down the systems before the opening. The space is indeed beautiful however the new machines were extremely slow and the bins kept hanging up on the conveyor resulting in an enormous line waiting to clear security. On the other hand as noted its now possible to easily move from one wing to the other post TSA and the two sets of security stations are directly opposite each other making it easy to choose whichever has the shorter line.
No new Alaska lounge until 2026 when they'll open a new space where Capers used to be.
Did Capers Le Bar get relocated during the launch? The official website says the bar is opening in Fall 2024. I hope it will still be a Priority Pass perk, since Capers is my go-to preflight pregaming visit (can't beat those $6 mimosa specials at 6 am in the morning).
Their Facebook page says they'll be opening Capers Bistro in August. No word on whether it will participate in Priority Pass. We'll be passing through in a couple of weeks and see if they're open and also if Caper's Market is still there.
Oh, disregard the question about Capers. Just learned that Chase-issued Priority Pass no longer includes restaurant benefits. Looks like going forward, I'll be pregaming at the new Loyal Legion outpost before flights.
(Thanks for the impressions and reviews, Steve!)
If you have a Citi Prestige that still works.
portland beautiful unless the looting,rioting and burning of the liberal city does not start again,...
Weird comment from a weird guy.
Yup, another person who's never been to PDX making comments about it.
Dust the Cheesy Poofs off your keyboard and head outside for a while, friend. The sun will make you feel better.
@dee interesting that people are in denial of the miserably failed experiment to de criminalize. I think as of March they got some sense back and realized humans are flawed and accountability/boundaries are a good thing.
For those in denial, Douglas Murray was there himself and reported on it, but you can find many other honest and true reports.
Hope the city returns to a good spot with strong leadership. The pics look beautiful.
Dee, whoever performed your lobotomy botched it and their license should be revoked.
Are you Jeffrey posting under a different name? He left a similar comment below.
Hilarious how much flack you're getting from this comment. Portland has, indeed, been trashed. Productive members of society and businesses are fleeing due to the lawlessness and draconian tax policies.
Any plans for new lounges besides Alaska ?
I think Dee is a she, and based on her low intelligence, poor grammar posts, is low education and lives in some rural Alabama sh!thole
You replied in the wrong place. But, why bash Alamba or rural? Just to anticipate you, I will point out I've spent about 21 days in Alabama and have slept maybe eight nights in a place normal people call rural. Your bias against shitholes is hitting 100% here, but which places are shitholes is apparently dividing opinoin.
UA-NYC just trying to do his best inverse impression of all the “Portland is a lib shithole” ppl, but with the lower hanging fruit that is Alabama
Tbh all of you suck. This country is great, and there are good decent people in both Portland and Alabama. Maybe get out of your bubble for once and experience different places and points of view. It’s really enlightening
There is an incredibly pervasive stereotype among residents of New York that people in non-coastal states are backwards or less capable.
The incredible irony is that the most accomplished residents of New York are transplants often from derided places like Ohio and Alabama.
If I am not mistaken there is an Alabama native, possibly even University of Alabama alum, currently working as an associate at Cravath while the bridge and tunnel garbage native NYers who...
There is an incredibly pervasive stereotype among residents of New York that people in non-coastal states are backwards or less capable.
The incredible irony is that the most accomplished residents of New York are transplants often from derided places like Ohio and Alabama.
If I am not mistaken there is an Alabama native, possibly even University of Alabama alum, currently working as an associate at Cravath while the bridge and tunnel garbage native NYers who make fun of Alabama natives are wasting their lives away as legal assistants.
Alabama is one of the poorest and least educated states, but it does have it charms.
"the most accomplished residents of New York are transplants often from derided places like Ohio and Alabama"
Not true, they come all over the US and all over the world.
@Paul Welss
On the contrary, most city dwellers couldn't care less what rural or suburban Americans think about them, even though those same rural and suburban dwellers are the first to scream that cities are unsafe, full of drugs and undesirables, and are basically one step short of 1990s Mogadishu. Just look at your own post, referring to native New Yorkers as garbage. If city dwellers sent even a tenth of the vitriol they...
@Paul Welss
On the contrary, most city dwellers couldn't care less what rural or suburban Americans think about them, even though those same rural and suburban dwellers are the first to scream that cities are unsafe, full of drugs and undesirables, and are basically one step short of 1990s Mogadishu. Just look at your own post, referring to native New Yorkers as garbage. If city dwellers sent even a tenth of the vitriol they get from right wingers back at them, we'd never hear the end of it, but somehow it's perfectly acceptable for your ilk to constantly claim that our cities are bombed out ruins inhabited by subhumans.
They did this twice as fast as DEN and half the cost. Kudos!
Thanks for this exciting review, @Ben! This has been a long time coming for those of us who visit PDX often.
Definitely looking forward to checking out the renovation, which has been in the works for many years now. The ticketing area has looked dreary and cramped for the past few years and it's good that they gave the space a makeover.
Although the pre-security food options are still very limited, I'm curious to check...
Thanks for this exciting review, @Ben! This has been a long time coming for those of us who visit PDX often.
Definitely looking forward to checking out the renovation, which has been in the works for many years now. The ticketing area has looked dreary and cramped for the past few years and it's good that they gave the space a makeover.
Although the pre-security food options are still very limited, I'm curious to check out The Country Cat outpost when I pick up my spouse at the airport next week. Wish that they stayed open later than 8 pm though (it would be a boon for many visitors who are picking up the many late-evening arrivals at PDX).
They spent a lot of money but mainly got high ceilings and a little more room for shops and more room for security. Not a good use of billions of dollars. They don't care, just raise the fees for passengers.
A great terminal is one with short walking distances and no-nonsense design. Omaha is one of them. So is the old, demolished LaGuardia. So is San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (which has crime in the area and a terrible name).
Always a hater ready to throw cold water on a project that most of us locals have been looking forward to for a couple of years. Can’t wait until tomorrow coming home from Boston to see it!
It's great to love a big project if someone else is paying for it. They should not have any airport fees and pay for the project only with car license plate fees. So what if it cost $500/year for a license plate?
Got to agree with the notion that transport hubs are first, necessarily, functional. I love the look, and as so long as that doesn't hurt functionality, great. One doesn't need Central Park to be designed for easy use as a walking route across the city. One wants Grand Central to be easy to use. If the secondary goal can be improved, all the better.
NYC really dropped the ball on the new LGA; they really should have kept the old dumpster fire of an airport because derek said so. Or they should have just built a replica of OAK or OMA, both of which serve less than 1/3 of the traffic of LGA. Silly NYC.
Correct, "silly NYC" is correct. LGA cost over $8 billion for the new terminal. SLC cost less than half that and more gates. NYC knows how to waste money. My professional association refuses to have their annual conference in NYC due to the high cost at the convention center. Money doesn't grow on trees.
@Derek
You're hilarious, in an absurd way.
Do you have the brainpower to consider the geographic space available for LGA v SLC, and the related development cost??? Really silly.
And the conference reference is nonsensical. It depends on the industry, and related. So silly.
Does not depend on the industry. They said that the convention center in NYC requires much high labor costs. 2 people cannot set up an exhibition booth, like other places. They need to hire multiple tradesman, like an electrician to plug in the electrical cords, etc. Might be union rules?
@Derek
Well that's indeed true about the unions in NYC when it comes to conventions. I stand corrected on that. Mid size functions are doable.
Wait - is this the end of the teal geometric carpet ?
Not yet! The iconic teal geometric carpet still at PDX, now in the mezzanine level.
Source: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pdx-carpet-installed-main-terminal/283-6eaec87d-415c-4773-a0c2-d65ced4c037b
This was my first thought! I HATE that carpet...or any airport that's widely carpeting lol
Is the shuttle bus for international arrivals also a thing of the past now?
No, because there’s still no way to get from customs to the terminal exit without re-clearing security. The issue is that customs is at the end of the D concourse and there is no tunnel from there to the baggage claim/airport exit. Only way is to clear security and go through the concourse, or take the bus.
I love how more greenery and sustainable materials such as wood are being incorporated in airport interiors and architecture. Zurich, Cebu, and Clark come to mind. As a suggestion, aside from strictly reviewing onboard products, you should also review the architecture of airports.
You missed one of the most critical elements which is the reopening of the concourse connector. With that and the new central TSA checkpoint, all gates are once again connected airside, handy for accessing all the existing local restaurants. Plus, the new Escape Lounge opens next year in concourse D, conveniently near where the Euro carriers depart. It will also be a nice alternative to the three airline lounges (AS/DL/UA) for those who don't have...
You missed one of the most critical elements which is the reopening of the concourse connector. With that and the new central TSA checkpoint, all gates are once again connected airside, handy for accessing all the existing local restaurants. Plus, the new Escape Lounge opens next year in concourse D, conveniently near where the Euro carriers depart. It will also be a nice alternative to the three airline lounges (AS/DL/UA) for those who don't have access or don't mind the walk, regardless of airline.
We're also enduring a stuffy, dimly lit arrivals level until, I believe, phase 2 is done. But the end result will be worth the wait.
Jury's out on whether Clear will bother opening here, but they're quickly losing relevance, as you know.
I think the arrivals section would benefit from having a restaurant/bar which stays open later in the evenings. Hopefully the completion of Phase 2 will change things!
Beautiful. LAX could learn a thing or two about building terminals with a cohesive design language that are not value-engineered to hell.
Honey, the whole of Los Angeles is a design wasteland.
Can’t argue with that.
Well there are numerous exceptions. The Walt Disney concert hall amongst them.
Hard disagree. Los Angeles is the best metro in America and it is not a close contest. Notice I did not say "city" - for two reasons. One, the appeal of LA is the entire region, not just the city proper. Second, LA is obviously not a walking or transit paradise. The expectation is that you drive in your own car.
...which is how the vast majority of America operates. Moving to LA means no...
Hard disagree. Los Angeles is the best metro in America and it is not a close contest. Notice I did not say "city" - for two reasons. One, the appeal of LA is the entire region, not just the city proper. Second, LA is obviously not a walking or transit paradise. The expectation is that you drive in your own car.
...which is how the vast majority of America operates. Moving to LA means no culture shock. It's not like moving from the Midwest or South to NYC, where people stop smiling and it's very jarring to people who are accustomed to manners. LA is a conventionally American culture with conventionally American manners.
Now if you can get over the fact you'll be driving everywhere, LA has the most amazing restaurants, retail, entertainment, recreation and nature. Year-round amazing weather. It's just an amazing place to live.
LA is a horrible city, for driving or public transit or walking. And the metro area isn't that much better. But we all have our preferences, I suppose.
LA is an awful city.
No soul, no energy. No charm or character. Pretty setting but the urban area and city itself is a giant eyesore of ugly buildings strip malls and freeways. Not city centre. No heart. No Civic pride. No streets to walk. No sidewalk cafes. Bland dead soulless place. Yes I lived there 13 years then moved to Europe
"No city center" is a feature, not a bug. LA is decentralized by design.
Soul, energy, charm, character, and heart are qualities to look for in people - not in cities. In a city I am looking for good weather, good access to good food, shops, entertainment, nature, services (everything from education to hospitals to law firms), and infrastructure. Despite the infamously "horrific" commutes, LA traffic is calm and approachable to anyone who learned to...
"No city center" is a feature, not a bug. LA is decentralized by design.
Soul, energy, charm, character, and heart are qualities to look for in people - not in cities. In a city I am looking for good weather, good access to good food, shops, entertainment, nature, services (everything from education to hospitals to law firms), and infrastructure. Despite the infamously "horrific" commutes, LA traffic is calm and approachable to anyone who learned to drive anywhere in the USA. By contrast, driving in NYC (for example) requires a special level of aggression that even a Chicago driver would have to get used to.
LA is wonderful in the sense that there's nothing to get used to yet the best of everything is there. You just can't walk to it.
"Soul, energy, charm, character, and heart are qualities to look for in people"
Nah, that applies to cities as well. LA has none of those. Is it worth visiting? Yeah, but as a whole, it's just a big messy ball of meh.
@Paul Weiss, personal preference but if I go to a big city, I *want* big city amenities. Chief among them is public transportation. Agree LA area otherwise has some good stuff.
Agreed on LAX - they're slowly rebuilding everything, which is great and much needed, but aside from the (stunning!) TBIT main building that opened in 2014, every other addition
- Terminal 1.5: gray box that feels like a clinic
- Delta's insanely-overhyped "Sky Way": gray box that feels like a clinic
- TBIT midfield concourse north: gray box that feels like a clinic, except wavy roof!
- TBIT midfield concourse south:...
Agreed on LAX - they're slowly rebuilding everything, which is great and much needed, but aside from the (stunning!) TBIT main building that opened in 2014, every other addition
- Terminal 1.5: gray box that feels like a clinic
- Delta's insanely-overhyped "Sky Way": gray box that feels like a clinic
- TBIT midfield concourse north: gray box that feels like a clinic, except wavy roof!
- TBIT midfield concourse south: gray box that feels like a clinic, except modular and cheap!
- Terminal 4 rebuild: gray box that feels like a clinic
- Terminal 6 renovation: gray box that feels like a clinic
- Terminal 9: design not yet released, but I can take a guess...
They did a fantastic job with TBIT and then kind of gave up. Portland's new central building feels a little bit like a solution that was looking for a problem, but at least they did a nice job with it!
LAX T3 gives strong prison vibes from the outside. And then there's the West Gates, a $1.5 billion middle-schooler's execution of a modern airport that looks like it landed somewhere between a hospital and a corporate office building with a cliche wavy roof. Whoever was in charge of approving these designs should be fired.
RuPaul got it right. Looking at all major building projects in LA, there is a common thread of overpromising on design...
LAX T3 gives strong prison vibes from the outside. And then there's the West Gates, a $1.5 billion middle-schooler's execution of a modern airport that looks like it landed somewhere between a hospital and a corporate office building with a cliche wavy roof. Whoever was in charge of approving these designs should be fired.
RuPaul got it right. Looking at all major building projects in LA, there is a common thread of overpromising on design and severely underdelivering.
either that or you have some kind of weird box fetish that you don't seem too aware of
Ruined by the homeless, crimes, drugs, and etc..... Courtesy of the Demorats. Not going there anytime soon.
Oh look, another original Magat comment. Please stay in your flyover state.
Yes - please stay in Idaho. KTHX
Idaho?? WTF Ted?
That comment has nothing to do with this article. No one comments about the size of street rats when discussing a new terminal at JFK
Sweet! One less Repubican eyesore to deal with at PDX. Thanks for self-selecting out of the area.
Tell me you know nothing about Portland without saying you know nothing about Portland and have never been there.
Turning a random post on a travel blog into a political screed… what a weirdo thing to do.
Tim Walz approves this message
LOL Jeffrey you are a deadset loser.
I *love* the bleacher seating in the second photo. When a bunch of flights are delayed, airports need a ton more seating than usual. This looks like such a smart way to create flex space that can seat a bunch of people in a pinch.
The bleacher seating does seem like a good idea. I like how the space around the bleachers seems open (in theory--I'll believe it when I see it) for travelers with varying needs. Whether it's families traveling with many luggage, those with baby strollers, or travelers with wheelchairs, the open space might be a boon for many. During the construction, the main hall was narrow and congested. I can't imagine how uncomfortable that must have been.
...The bleacher seating does seem like a good idea. I like how the space around the bleachers seems open (in theory--I'll believe it when I see it) for travelers with varying needs. Whether it's families traveling with many luggage, those with baby strollers, or travelers with wheelchairs, the open space might be a boon for many. During the construction, the main hall was narrow and congested. I can't imagine how uncomfortable that must have been.
(And I know it's just a photo rendering, but let's hope the gaggle of free-range kids running in the airport are just that.)
I'd like to see bleachers in the Arrivals hall. That way everyone can sit while waiting and still see when your party is coming through the gate. Instead it's a scrum with everyone standing at the rail and having to crane around each other to spot your pick-up.
Looks really nice, and glad to see they kept the same carpet. Always liked PDX.
Portland in general seems very beautiful, it's nice that the airport reflects that:)