Portland's Airport: An Essential Travel Gateway

is there an airport in portland

Portland International Airport, also known as PDX, is located in Portland, Oregon. The airport is owned and operated by the Port of Portland and is accessible by road from exit 24 on Interstate 205. It has one passenger terminal composed of four concourses, which are designated B, C, D, and E, with a total of 60 gates. The airport offers unique amenities such as a microcinema, local food carts, and a distillery. With a history dating back to the 1920s, Portland International Airport has undergone construction and expansion over the years, with the most recent phase opening in August 2024.

Characteristics Values
Name Portland International Airport
Location Portland, Oregon
Address 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218
Phone Number 503.460.4234
Toll-Free Number 1.877.739.4636
TDD Number 1.800.815.4636
Number of Concourses 4 (B, C, D, and E)
Number of Gates 60
Transportation MAX Red Line light rail, Interstate 205
Amenities Microcinema, Distillery, Local Food Carts, Work Station, Assembly for repairing bicycles, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine
Jet Fuel Supply Portland Jet Line, an 8-inch Kinder Morgan fuel pipeline
Shops and Restaurants 15-20 local shops and restaurants with fair retail pricing

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Portland International Airport's history

Portland International Airport (PDX) is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel and more than 95% of its air cargo. The airport covers 3,000 acres of land and is within Portland's city limits, just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah County.

Like many community airports, Portland International Airport had its beginnings as the private field of a flying enthusiast. Dr. Clifford "Kip" Strange created space on his extensive Portland land for his plane in the late 1920s, and soon other flyers were attracted to the couple of grass runways on his property. In 1934, Boston & Maine Airways inaugurated airline service at the Portland facility when it moved from Scarborough. The City of Portland bought the airfield in 1936 and built a third runway. The Works Progress Administration built Portland's first real terminal in 1940—a brick structure that is now the general aviation terminal. The airport was officially activated as Portland Army Air Base on 19 April 1941. During World War II, the airport was closed to most civilian traffic, but lend-lease aircraft passed through on their way to Canada.

In 1948, the entire airport grounds were flooded during the Vanport Flood, forcing scheduled airline services to reroute to Troutdale Airport. The new terminal opened in 1959, which largely serves as the present facility. The current terminal building opened in 1968 when jet aircraft arrived and has been expanded at least twice since. The airport's carpet, installed in 1987, was designed to stylize the criss-crossing north and south runways.

Today, the airport has one passenger terminal composed of four concourses (B, C, D, and E) and 60 gates in total. The airport has direct flights to cities throughout the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Iceland.

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Transport to and from the airport

Portland International Airport (PDX) is accessible by road from exit 24 on Interstate 205. The drive to and from downtown Portland and Portland International Airport takes between 30 and 45 minutes. The airport can also be reached via the MAX Red Line light rail, which connects the airport to downtown Portland and Beaverton. The airport is owned and operated by the Port of Portland.

The airport is located at 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218. It can be accessed from the north or south via I-5, I-405, and Hwy. 26. The airport is also connected to southwestern Washington and many Portland suburbs via Interstate 205.

Local transportation options at the airport include a TriMet MAX Red Line station with a bicycle repair workstation and assembly area. The airport also has a microcinema showcasing short films by Portland-based filmmakers and a distillery in the terminal.

The airport has one passenger terminal with four concourses: B, C, D, and E. There are construction detours in place between the main terminal and Concourses B and E.

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Amenities and services

Portland International Airport, located in Portland, Oregon, offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of travellers. The airport is easily accessible, with direct connections to downtown Portland and the surrounding areas.

For transportation, the MAX Red Line light rail provides a convenient option, connecting the airport to downtown Portland and Beaverton. Additionally, Interstate 205 offers a direct route to southwestern Washington and the suburbs of Portland. The airport is also accessible via Highway 26 and Interstates 5 and 405.

When it comes to dining and shopping, Portland International Airport boasts a variety of options. The main terminal features 15-20 local shops and restaurants, offering a taste of Oregon's unique culture and cuisine. These shops and restaurants are required to practice fair retail pricing, ensuring that prices are the same as off-airport locations.

The airport also offers a range of unique amenities, including a microcinema run by the Hollywood Theatre, showcasing free short films by local filmmakers. A distillery and various local food carts can also be found within the terminal. For those seeking a more relaxing experience, the Escape Lounges provide a tranquil space to unwind before a flight.

Other services available at Portland International Airport include currency exchange, bicycle repair services near the TriMet MAX Red Line station, and art and music experiences through the airport's Portside publication. The airport also offers valet parking, with both short-term and long-term garage options available, as well as an economy lot for more economical parking choices.

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Accidents and incidents

Portland International Airport (PDX) has been the site of several aviation incidents and accidents over the years. One notable incident occurred in 1933 when a United Airlines/Western Air Express Boeing 247D crashed shortly after takeoff from Swan Island Municipal Airport, the previous airport of Portland, Oregon. The plane skidded off the runway and, due to pilot error, crashed into the Tualatin Mountains, resulting in four fatalities.

In more recent times, Portland International Airport has experienced a few incidents involving commercial flights. In 2004, Northwest Airlines introduced nonstop service to Tokyo-Narita Airport using a McDonnell Douglas DC-10. In 2005, the airport opened a concourse connector, a long hallway connecting the secure sides of the airport. This connector was permanently closed in 2021 to make room for terminal expansion.

In April 2022, an Alaska Airlines Flight 757 returned safely to Portland International Airport after the crew reported fumes in the flight deck. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, was en route to Las Vegas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

In addition to these incidents, Portland International Airport has also been the site of various construction projects and delays. For example, in 2024, the opening of the new terminal was delayed by three months due to construction incidents. The first phase of the new terminal eventually opened in August 2024, with total construction expected to be completed in early 2026.

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Art and culture

Portland, Oregon, is a hub of art and culture, with a thriving creative community. The city's art scene includes galleries, museums, street art, and art installations. Portland's cultural offerings range from concert halls to waterfront parks, symphony performances, pop-up opera, and theatre. The city's largest theatre company, Portland Center Stage, puts on musicals, comedies, and dramas at The Armory, a historic building. The Milagro Theatre in Portland’s Central Eastside has been a hub of Latiné-American arts and culture, with jazz, punk, bluegrass, and funk music. The Portland Shakespeare Project and Original Practice Shakespeare offer free outdoor performances in city parks.

Portland's art walks, such as Northeast Alberta's Last Thursday, are year-round gatherings with surprise performances from acrobats and modern dancers. Notable galleries include the Guardino Gallery, a hub for Northwest contemporary art, and the Alberta Street Gallery, featuring local artists. The Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) brings internationally and locally renowned performances and artists to their warehouse space in Northeast Portland. The city's independent gallery scene includes the Blue Sky venue for photography and the Guardino Gallery, which showcases diverse contemporary works. Nationale is an art gallery and shop that promotes the arts through exhibitions and performances.

Portland, Maine, also has a vibrant art and culture scene. The city's art venues, galleries, and museums open their doors for free on the first Friday of every month for the First Friday Art Walk. Portland Ovations, a non-profit cultural organisation, hosts a vibrant schedule of music, Broadway shows, and dance events throughout the year. The city's art scene includes sculptures and statues depicting important figures from Maine's history, as well as curated street art and murals. Longfellow Square, surrounded by cultural landmarks like the Maine College of Art & Design and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, embodies Portland’s rich heritage and artistic spirit.

Downtown Portland's Mural Grant Program supports outdoor murals within the City of Portland’s Downtown Improvement District, enhancing the area's cultural fabric. The city also offers family-friendly attractions like the Children’s Museum and Theatre, with Maine-themed interactive exhibits. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute provides educational activities, and the Cross Insurance Arena hosts events for the Maine Mariners hockey team. Portland, Maine, truly embraces art and culture, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an international airport in Portland, Oregon.

The airport is located at 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218.

It takes between 30 to 45 minutes to drive to or from downtown Portland and Portland International Airport.

Portland International Airport has a microcinema run by the Hollywood Theatre, which shows free short films by Portland-based filmmakers. The terminal also houses a distillery and several local food carts in the pre-security area.

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