Owais Crawford
Pittsburgh International Airport is the first airport in the USA to offer airside access to the public after 9/11. The airport has a single terminal with four concourses (A, B, C, and D) and is open 24 hours a day. The public can access the airside terminal for shopping, dining, and meeting/greeting passengers between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday, through the myPITpass programme. To reach the airside terminal, passengers must ride the underground people mover from the main terminal to the remote concourse, which takes less than 2 minutes. The airside terminal offers various amenities, including restaurants, shops, a post office, and a pet relief area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public access to Airside Terminal | Yes, after obtaining a myPITpass and going through security |
| myPITpass requirements | Only 1 personal item allowed through the security checkpoint |
| Security checkpoint rules | Same as for passengers boarding flights |
| Security checkpoint exemptions | Kids under 12 do not have to take their shoes off |
| Airside Terminal activities | Shopping, dining, meeting/greeting passengers |
| Airside Terminal timing | 9:00–17:00, Monday to Friday |
| Airside Terminal concessions | Restaurants, shops, bookstores, clothing stores, beauty shops, ATMs, Travelex Business Center, airline lounges, chapel, information desks |
| Airside Terminal amenities | Free Wi-Fi, post office, pet relief area |
| Concourse access | Via a single security checkpoint |
| Concourse details | 4 concourses (A, B, C, and D) |
| Concourse A | Features a sensory room, Southwest area for sleeping |
| Concourse B | 25 gates (B26 to B50), multiple moving walkways, duty-free shopping at Hudson News |
| Concourse C | 11 gates (C51 to C61), children's play area, duty-free shopping at Hudson News |
| Concourse D | 14 gates (D76 to D89), located northwest of the central concourse area, moving walkways, pet relief area |
| Concourse accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible |
| Transportation to/from airport | 28X Airport Flyer bus, rideshare cabs (Uber, Lyft, zTrip), rental cars |
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What You'll Learn
Accessing the Airside Terminal without a plane ticket
Pittsburgh International Airport is the first airport in the United States since the 9/11 terrorist attacks to offer access beyond security to non-ticketed visitors. Known as the myPITpass program, it was launched in September 2017 in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The program allows guests without a plane ticket to go through security and visit the airport's Airside Terminal. Here, they can shop, dine, and do the same activities as ticketed passengers. Guests with the pass must go through the same TSA checkpoints and follow the same protocols as passengers, including baggage requirements. They can only bring one personal item through the security checkpoint.
To obtain a myPITpass, visitors can go to the third floor ticketing level, across from Allegiant, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The passes are free of charge. It is important to note that participants will go through regular airport security and cannot bring anything that is prohibited on a plane, such as weapons.
The myPITpass program has received positive feedback, with airport officials stating that about 40,000 visitors have used it. It provides an opportunity for people to experience the airport's amenities, such as shopping and dining, and watch planes arrive and depart.
However, there have been concerns raised by the union representing flight attendants at American Airlines, who criticise the decision to allow non-flyers to pass through security checkpoints. There are also worries that the program could cause TSA lines to become longer.
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Shops, restaurants and services in the Airside Terminal
The Airside Terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, and services for travellers to enjoy. Central to the terminal is the Airmall, where passengers can choose from over 35 different stores, including high-end fashion brands such as Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, Armani Jeans, and Lacoste. There are also shops offering travel essentials, such as Paradies Travel Mart and Hudson News, and electronics stores like Radio Road.
When it comes to dining, the Airside Terminal has something to suit every taste and preference. For a unique blend of cuisines, Chai's Pittsburgh Fusion is a popular choice. The terminal also offers classic diner options at Marathon Diner and a variety of quick bites, including Dunkin', Starbucks, and Bruegger's Bagels. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy a local draft beer at Beercode, located in the main airside shop area.
For those looking for a sit-down meal, O'Brien's Grille & Pub, Sam Adams 'Celebrates Pittsburgh', and TGI Friday's offer a more relaxed dining experience. The terminal also caters to those seeking healthy options, with GNC providing health and nutrition-related products. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of the various services available, such as the computerized Flight Desk kiosks for self-check-in and the Pittsburgh International Airport Hotel for accommodation and meeting room needs.
The airport has recently expanded its concessions, introducing 15 new local, national, and global brands. These include fashion, cosmetics, gifts, and additional healthy quick-service dining options. Among the new dining choices are Shake Shack, Café Conmigo, Bad Egg, Stack + Press Delicatessen, and Mi Casa Cantina. With these new additions, PIT aims to enhance the passenger experience and accommodate the growing number of travellers passing through the airport.
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How to get to the Airside Terminal
To get to the Airside Terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport, you must first enter the Landside Terminal. The Landside Terminal is a multi-storey structure containing baggage claim and ticketing offices. You can access this terminal by car, bus, or rideshare cab. The 28X Airport Flyer bus connects downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland with the airport.
Once you have entered the Landside Terminal, you will need to pass through security. The TSA PreCheck lane at the main security checkpoint is open daily from 4 am to 8 pm. After passing through security, you can ride the People Mover, an indoor tram, to the Airside Terminal. The People Mover departs every few minutes and the journey takes less than 2 minutes.
If you are a member of the public visiting the airport without a plane ticket, you can obtain a myPITpass to access the Airside Terminal. You will still need to go through security and can only bring one personal item with you through the checkpoint. After passing through security, you are free to explore the airport, including the shops and restaurants in the Airside Terminal.
Pittsburgh International Airport is open 24 hours a day, but the TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to location. If you are in the terminal's public area (Landside Terminal), you may not be able to enter the secure area (Airside Terminal) until the morning. It is recommended that you check the hours for your specific location.
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The security checkpoint
Pittsburgh International Airport has a single terminal with four concourses (A, B, C, and D). The airport is open 24 hours, and the main security checkpoint is open all night. The TSA Precheck Lane at the main security checkpoint is open daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The airport offers free Wi-Fi and a range of local eateries, breweries, and shops. There are also two airport lounges that economy-class travellers can pay to enter.
To access the Airside Terminal, you must first pass through the main security checkpoint. The security checkpoint is located on Level 2 of the airport. After clearing security, passengers can ride the underground people mover from the main terminal to the remote airside concourse. The people mover ride lasts less than two minutes, and trains depart every few minutes.
The public can access the Airside Terminal through the 'myPITpass' programme. Members of the public can obtain a myPITpass and go through the security checkpoint, observing the same rules as passengers boarding flights. However, guests with a myPITpass are only allowed to bring one personal item through the security checkpoint.
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Sleeping in the Airside Terminal
Pittsburgh International Airport is open 24 hours a day, and the main security checkpoint is open all night. However, the TSA security checkpoint typically closes around 10:00 pm and reopens at 4:00 am, so if you arrive after the security checkpoints have closed, you will not be able to access the airside terminal until the morning.
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones in the airport. The seating is generally sufficient for the airport's size, but most are single seats equipped with armrests. Some travellers have cited noise as an issue, so bringing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones is recommended. A mat will come in handy if you decide to sleep on the floor.
- The Southwest area of Concourse A.
- The quiet upper level of the airside terminal.
- The Kidsport area in Concourse C.
- A darkened side room near Gate A14.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can access the airside terminal without a plane ticket. You can obtain a myPITpass to access the airside terminal and go through security, following the same rules as passengers boarding flights.
The airport is open 24 hours a day, and the main security checkpoint is also open all night. However, the TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to location.
There are over 10,000 parking spots available onsite, with prices ranging from \$1 to \$3 per hour. There is also a long-term parking option that costs a maximum of \$8 per day.
The airside terminal offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and services. You can go shopping, dine at a restaurant, or watch airplanes take off and land. There are also art exhibitions and a children's play area.
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