Owais Crawford
Portland International Airport (PDX) is an award-winning airport in Portland, Oregon, USA. It has been named the best airport in the United States by Travel + Leisure multiple times. The airport offers a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, foreign currency exchange, and free Wi-Fi. PDX also features unique design elements such as natural lighting, live trees, and a timber lattice ceiling. The airport provides easy transportation options, including the MAX Light Rail, which connects the airport to downtown Portland and other destinations. With its convenient location, modern facilities, and traveller-friendly services, Portland International Airport is a popular gateway to the city of Portland and the surrounding region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Portland International Airport |
| Acronym | PDX |
| Location | Bordered by the Columbia River in the north and the Columbia Slough in the south |
| Area | 700 acres (280 ha) |
| Transport | MAX Light Rail, taxicabs, ride-share services, shuttles, TriMet MAX Light Rail, bus |
| Accolades | Best airport in the United States in Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021, as well as every year from 2013-2019 |
| Facilities | Free Wi-Fi, local food and drinks, tax-free shopping, foreign currency exchange, shoe shine, art installations, video walls, streams of natural light, more than 70 live trees, timber lattice ceiling |
| Security | Designated smoking areas outside the terminal, no smoking areas once through security, security checkpoints at either end of the terminal |
| Concourses | 5 (A, B, C, D, and E) |
| Gates | 50+ |
| Airlines | 15+ |
| Arrivals and Departures | 500 scheduled passenger arrivals and departures daily |
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What You'll Learn
Design and architecture
Portland International Airport (PDX) has been named the best airport in the United States by travellers in Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021, as well as consecutively from 2013 to 2019. The airport's design and architecture have been praised for their functionality and aesthetics. The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to improve its infrastructure and enhance the traveller experience.
The airport's design can be traced back to the 1930s when the Portland City Council purchased the present PDX site in 1936. The council envisioned developing the site into a "super airport" and secured funding for the project. The construction of the airport provided much-needed jobs during the Great Depression era, employing over 1,000 men. However, the low-lying area was frequently flooded by the nearby Columbia River, requiring workers to drain the land and construct dikes to control flooding.
The original airport featured two runways capable of serving modern aircraft at the time. During World War II, the airfield was utilised by the United States Army Air Forces. After the war, the airport underwent significant upgrades, including the construction of a new terminal and an extended runway in 1952. The current terminal was opened in 1959 and has since undergone multiple renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic.
Today, Portland International Airport boasts a modern and efficient layout. The airport has two long concourse buildings parallel to each other, with the main terminal in between. The terminal has three levels: baggage claim on the lower level, ticketing on the upper level, and a mezzanine with a USO lounge and conference centre. The concourses are easily accessible through security checkpoints at either end of the terminal. Concourse C, the largest concourse, offers a variety of shops and restaurants, including a food court. Concourses D and E are located at the northern end of the terminal and provide additional gates and passenger amenities.
The airport's design incorporates natural elements, such as streams of natural light, more than 70 live trees, and a timber lattice ceiling sourced from the Northwest. The iconic PDX carpet adds a unique touch to the seating areas, and massive video walls provide a modern contrast. The bright main terminal welcomes travellers with a large wood-framed skylight, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere. The recent renovations, including the concourse connector, have improved the flow of travellers and set a new standard for airport design, as recognised by Fast Company magazine.
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Transport links
Portland International Airport (PDX) is well-connected to the city and its surroundings via various transport links. The airport is served by TriMet’s MAX Red Line, which runs every 15 minutes and connects the airport to downtown Portland in around 39 minutes. The service is available at most times of the day, every day, accommodating early morning and late-night flights. The airport also has an easy light rail connection to downtown.
For those seeking a more private travel experience, Atlas Shuttle of Portland offers a shuttle service to and from the airport. This service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides door-to-door transportation to hotels, residences, and businesses. Passengers can reserve their ride online or by phone, and the shuttle service uses comfortable and spacious vans driven by professional and knowledgeable drivers.
Taxis and other transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft are readily available at the airport. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles can also be requested through PDX WAV, and taxis depart from the Baggage Claim (lower) level outer roadway.
Portland's efficient public transit, miles of bike lanes, ride-share services, and pedestrian-friendly streets make getting around the city convenient for both locals and visitors.
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Amenities
Portland International Airport (PDX) offers a wide range of amenities for travellers. The airport has been named the best airport in the United States by Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021 and from 2013 to 2019, owing to its friendly staff, free Wi-Fi, local food and beverage options, and tax-free shopping.
The airport's main terminal features a bright and spacious design, incorporating natural elements such as streams of natural light, over 70 live trees, and a timber lattice ceiling. The iconic PDX carpet can be found in seating areas, along with massive 120-foot-long video walls. The terminal consists of three levels: the lower level houses baggage claim and ground transportation, including the short-term parking garage and rental car centre; the upper level is dedicated to ticketing; and a mezzanine level offers a USO lounge and conference centre.
PDX provides a variety of shopping and dining options throughout its concourses. Concourse B has a few restaurants and cafes, while Concourse C boasts a good selection of shops and a food court. Concourse D offers a reasonable choice of shops and restaurants, including Burgerville and Hissho Sushi. Concourse E, extended in 2020, primarily caters to Southwest Airlines and has additional gates and dining options. Moving walkways are available in Concourses C and D, and there is an Alaska Lounge in Concourse C and a Delta Sky Club in Concourse D.
In addition to the concourses, PDX offers a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. Foreign currency exchange services are available in the international arrivals area, and ATMs are located throughout the airport. While there are no luggage storage facilities, designated smoking areas can be found outside the terminal. For those seeking a relaxing escape, the airport features Escape Lounges and large-scale 2D artworks.
PDX also provides easy connections to downtown Portland and beyond. The MAX Light Rail, including the Red Line, offers a convenient and popular transportation option, with a station located on the airport's lower level. The light rail journey to downtown takes approximately 38 minutes, and trains depart every 15 minutes. Other transportation options include taxicabs, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and bus services.
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History
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. It is within Portland's city limits, just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah County.
The Early Years
Portland's first airport was Swan Island Municipal Airport, which operated from 1926 to 1940. Charles Lindbergh, who had recently returned from his famous transatlantic flight, arrived in the Spirit of St. Louis to dedicate the new airfield in 1927. By the early 1930s, it became apparent that Swan Island Airport was becoming obsolete due to its limited runway length and lack of space for expansion.
In 1936, the city of Portland purchased 256 acres of land along the Columbia River to build a new and bigger airport. Portland Air Base, located about six miles northeast of Portland, was constructed as a WPA project and officially activated as Portland Army Air Base on April 19, 1941. During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces and served as a base for Civil Air Patrol planes that searched coastal waters for enemy submarines.
Post-War Expansion
In the 1950s and 1960s, Portland International Jetport began to take its current form. A new terminal and a longer, 8,800-foot east-west runway were constructed in 1952, and the airport's first jets arrived in October 1959. The present main runway was built in 1957 and lengthened in 1966, and the current terminal building opened in 1968 with expansions in subsequent years.
Recent Developments
Portland International Airport has continued to undergo significant upgrades and expansions. In 2004, Northwest Airlines introduced nonstop service to Tokyo-Narita, and in 2005, the concourse connector was opened to facilitate passenger movement between concourses. In 2021, the connector was closed to make room for terminal expansion. The airport also opened a new five-story parking garage and implemented a 10-year capital program for improvements to keep up with technological advancements, safety requirements, and projected growth in passenger traffic and cargo volumes.
Today, Portland International Airport is among the fastest-growing airports in the nation, serving most major domestic airlines and over 1.6 million passengers annually. It offers 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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Accolades
Portland International Airport (PDX) has been named the best airport in the United States by Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021 and every year from 2013 to 2019. It was also hailed as the "World's Best Domestic Airport" by the same publication during those years. The airport's accolades are attributed to its modern design, guest experience, and convenient transportation options.
The airport's design has been praised for its aesthetic appeal and functionality. The main terminal features streams of natural light, more than 70 live trees, a timber lattice ceiling sourced from the Northwest, and multiple 120-foot-long video walls. The renovation, unveiled in August 2024, set a "new high bar for airport design," according to Fast Company magazine.
PDX also offers a superior guest experience with friendly interactions, free Wi-Fi, a variety of local food and beverage options, and tax-free shopping without markups. The airport provides easy access to downtown Portland via the MAX Red Line light rail, which takes approximately 38 minutes. Other transportation options include taxicabs, ride-share services, shuttles, and car rentals.
Additionally, Portland International Airport has a long history of serving the region, with its first airport, Swan Island Municipal Airport, dating back to the late 1920s. The current site was purchased in 1936, and the airport has since undergone multiple expansions and improvements, including the addition of new terminals and runways over the years. Today, it is served by more than 15 international and domestic airlines, offering about 500 scheduled passenger arrivals and departures daily.
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Frequently asked questions
Portland Airport has a good selection of shops and restaurants, including local food and drink options such as microbrews, craft spirits, and food carts. Concourse C has a food court located between gates C7 and C9. Concourse D has a Burgerville and Hissho Sushi, while Concourse E has an Alaska Lounge across from Gate C5.
Portland Airport offers free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and a shoe shine service. There are also ATMs located throughout the airport.
The most popular way to get to and from Portland Airport is by taking the MAX Light Rail Red Line, which takes riders between the airport and downtown in approximately 38 minutes. The airport also offers other transportation options, including taxicabs, ride-share services, shuttles, and rental cars.
