Lois Larson
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel. The airport is a hub for Alaska Airlines, which operates five hubs focused on West Coast markets. Delta Air Lines also previously operated a hub at Portland International Airport, offering nonstop service to several Asian cities, but closed it in 2001 due to financial losses. Portland's first airport was the Swan Island Municipal Airport, which opened in 1927 but became obsolete by 1935 due to its small size and inability to accommodate larger aircraft. The present Portland International Airport site was purchased in 1936 and has since undergone several renovations and expansions to meet the growing needs of the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Portland International Airport |
| IATA | PDX |
| ICAO | KPDX |
| FAA LID | PDX |
| Location | 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218, USA |
| Distance from downtown Portland | 6 miles by air, 12 miles by highway |
| Airlines | Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Boutique Air, Condor, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Icelandair, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Number of concourses | 4 (B, C, D, E) |
| Number of gates | 60 |
| On-time departures (2020) | 88.3% |
| On-time arrivals (2020) | 86.43% |
| Security wait times | Usually under 20 minutes |
| Shops and restaurants | 15-20 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Alaska Airlines hub
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for Alaska Airlines, which operates five hubs focused on West Coast markets. The airline's primary hub and headquarters are located at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
In 1986, a new Concourse D was added to Portland International Airport specifically for Alaska Airlines. The airline has been the largest carrier at PDX for over 20 years, with 110 peak daily flights.
In January 2025, Alaska Airlines celebrated the opening of a new, beautifully renovated, world-class terminal at Portland International Airport. The new terminal was designed to improve the travel experience and celebrate the region. The airline has invested in new technology at the airport to improve the guest experience, and the new terminal includes a lobby that moves guests into security in five minutes or less.
Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products, and real estate at Alaska Airlines, said:
> "As our second largest hub, Portland is an essential part of Alaska's future. Our deep collaboration and joint investment with the Port of Portland on this new world-class terminal highlights our focus on improving how our guests travel."
Birmingham Airport: Snowy Conditions and Travel Updates
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Delta Air Lines hub
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel. It is within Portland's city limits, just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah County. The airport covers 3,000 acres of land and has direct flights to cities throughout the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Iceland.
Delta Air Lines established a "Pacific gateway" hub in Portland in the 1980s, creating a small hub for routes to Asia. Before opening this hub, Delta wanted to add Tokyo to its network, but it lacked aircraft that could fly there non-stop from its Atlanta base. The new hub allowed Delta to begin service from Portland to Tokyo in March 1987. The company also added domestic flights to Portland to feed these Asia routes, offering non-stop service to several Asian cities and eight domestic destinations, including Atlanta, New York, and San Francisco.
However, Delta faced challenges in Portland due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis and complaints about the treatment of Asian passengers at the immigration facility, which led to the nickname "Deportland." Additionally, other airlines introduced more direct flights from the United States to Asia, allowing travellers to bypass the Portland hub. As a result, Delta reduced the number of Asian destinations and eventually closed the hub in March 2001 due to financial losses.
Today, Portland International Airport continues to serve various airlines, including Delta Air Lines, which connects Portland to over 300 global destinations. The airport has five concourses (A, B, C, D, and E) and offers unique features such as local dining and shopping options, a robust arts program, and a 17-seat theatre showing short films.
Monterey Airport: Does It Exist and Where?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.95
International arrivals
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel. The airport is a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers direct flights to several countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Iceland.
For international arrivals at PDX, passengers will first be directed to Passport Control, where they will need to provide their passport and declare any items of value. After clearing Passport Control, passengers will claim their baggage and proceed to U.S. Customs and Agriculture. It typically takes 20 to 90 minutes to clear immigration and customs, depending on factors such as one's place in line and whether they are selected for secondary screening. Translation services are available through AT&T from 6 am to 11:30 pm daily.
If Portland is your final destination, you will be directed to the airport's shuttle bus after clearing the federal inspection area. If you are connecting to another flight, you may also use the shuttle bus or proceed to your connecting flight, depending on your specific circumstances.
It is recommended that travellers arrive at the airport three hours before their departing international flight. Additionally, travellers can utilise the mobile passport app to speed up the completion of customs paperwork upon arrival.
Gold and Airport Security: Will It Beep?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Local shops and restaurants
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel. The airport is a hub for Alaska Airlines and has direct flights to cities throughout the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Iceland.
The airport has a variety of local shops and restaurants for travellers to enjoy. Here is a list of some of the unique shops and restaurants that can be found at PDX:
Shops
- Portland Gear: This shop offers locally printed T-shirts, caps, and backpacks for travellers to showcase their Portland pride.
- Powell's Books: A beloved bookstore that provides a wide range of reading material for passengers to enjoy during their flights.
- Steven Smith Teamaker: A tea lover's paradise, offering a variety of teas and gifts for tea enthusiasts.
- Pendleton: A staple at PDX, offering a range of wool clothing and gifts.
- Freeland Spirits: A kiosk featuring farm-to-still gins, whiskies, and cocktails crafted by Portland's women-owned and women-run distillery.
Restaurants
- Capers Bistro: A wine bar offering a relaxing atmosphere and a variety of wines, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Screen Door Restaurant: Serving legendary fried chicken and waffles from breakfast until dinnertime.
- Good Coffee: Sourcing fresh coffee beans and teas from around the world, along with pastries and bags of beans to go.
- Blue Star Donuts: A local favourite, serving freshly made donuts.
- Grassa: A unique offering of freshly made pasta in an airport setting.
- Oven and Shaker: A popular pizza bar and restaurant, expected to open soon.
Las Vegas McCarran Airport: All You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Construction and expansion
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in Oregon, accounting for 90% of the state's passenger air travel and over 95% of its air cargo. The airport is located within Portland's city limits, just south of the Columbia River. It is a joint civil-military airport and serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines, offering direct flights to cities throughout the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Iceland.
The history of Portland's airports began with Swan Island Municipal Airport, which became operational in 1927. However, by 1935, it was apparent that the small airfield couldn't accommodate larger aircraft and passenger loads. The Portland City Council purchased the current PDX site in 1936, a 700-acre plot bordered by the Columbia River to the north and the Columbia Slough to the south.
In the 1980s, the terminal building at PDX underwent extensive renovations to meet future needs. Ticketing and baggage claim areas were renovated and expanded, and new concourses were added. The Oregon Marketplace, a small shopping mall, was also introduced during this renovation.
In August 2024, Portland International Airport unveiled its newly expanded main terminal, designed by ZGF. The expansion project reused much of the airport's existing infrastructure. One notable feature is the mass timber roof canopy and structure, built from wood sourced within a 300-mile radius of the terminal. This design choice pays homage to the local environment and showcases a commitment to sustainability. The expanded terminal is expected to increase the airport's capacity to accommodate 35 million passengers annually over the next two decades.
The airport's design reflects the local community and the Pacific Northwest region, with an emphasis on biophilic design. Large interior landscapes and abundant natural light create a calming atmosphere and reduce stress for travellers. The expansion also includes the addition of local restaurants and retail brands, showcasing the diverse culinary culture of Portland.
Port Elizabeth Airport: Size, Scale, and Significance
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for Alaska Airlines, which has a primary hub and headquarters at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Alaska Airlines offers domestic nonstop flights to 59 destinations and international nonstop flights to four countries.
Aside from its primary hub at Seattle–Tacoma, Alaska Airlines operates four other hubs: Anchorage (ANC), Los Angeles (LAX), Portland (PDX), and San Francisco (SFO).
Many airlines operate out of Portland Airport, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Boutique Air, Condor, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Icelandair, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.
Portland Airport features a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, currency exchange, and a shoe shine service. The airport also offers charter and shuttle services, as well as car rental options.
Yes, Portland Airport recently underwent an expansion project, which included the addition of a new main terminal that opened in August 2024. The expansion aimed to increase the airport's capacity to accommodate 35 million passengers annually.
](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+U60trRlL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
