Ruth Haines
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in Oregon, with passenger travel and air cargo accounting for 90% and 95% of the state's total air traffic, respectively. The airport is served by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, which operates a hub-and-spoke model with flights connecting Seattle and Portland. PDX offers various amenities, such as unique shops, restaurants, and a microcinema showcasing local filmmakers. The airport provides efficient transportation options, including the MAX Light Rail with a station inside the terminal, and easy access to downtown Portland. PDX has a long history, dating back to the 1920s, and has undergone expansions and renovations over the years. The airport code PDX has become synonymous with Portland, Oregon, and is commonly used to refer to the city as a whole.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Code | PDX |
| Airport Name | Portland International Airport |
| City Served | Portland, Oregon |
| Location | 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Portland |
| Hub for | Alaska Airlines |
| Elevation | 38 feet (12 m) |
| Website | https://www.portofportland.com/PDX |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Longest Runway | 11,000 feet (3,353 m) |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 19.8 million (2021) |
| Area | 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) |
| Time Zone | UTC-8 (UTC-7 during Daylight Saving Time) |
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What You'll Learn
Portland International Airport's IATA code is PDX
Portland International Airport, the largest airport in Oregon, has an IATA code of PDX. The airport is so beloved by the city that its code is often used as a synonym for the city itself, and even for the whole state of Oregon.
The airport's IATA code is derived from its original two-letter abbreviation, with the "X" added after World War II when the number of airports in the country exceeded the number of available abbreviations. The "X" is a placeholder, and Portland is not the only city to have had this happen to its airport code—LA and Phoenix also gained an "X" after World War II.
PDX is served by the MAX Light Rail, which has a station on the airport's lower level. The Red Line takes riders from the airport to downtown Portland in approximately 38 minutes. The airport also offers other transport options, including taxicabs, ride-share services, shuttles, and a VIP experience through private car services.
The airport has one passenger terminal, composed of four concourses (B, C, D, and E) and a total of 60 gates. The international section of Concourse D was renamed the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh International Concourse to honour the former Oregon governor, who launched international tourism and trade initiatives during his gubernatorial term.
Portland International Airport offers unique amenities, including a microcinema that shows free short films by Portland-based filmmakers, primarily focused on the culture of the Pacific Northwest. The terminal also houses a distillery, and the lower terminal roadway features a workstation and assembly for repairing bicycles.
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The ICAO code is KPDX
Portland International Airport, located in Oregon, United States, has an ICAO code of KPDX. ICAO stands for International Civil Aviation Organization, and KPDX is the four-character designation for Portland International Airport. This code is used for aviation and navigation purposes and is unique to this airport.
The airport is also commonly referred to by its IATA code, PDX, which is used in various contexts, including in flight schedules, travel bookings, and weather reports. The addition of the letter "X" to airport codes occurred after World War II due to the increase in the number of airports, which meant two-letter abbreviations were no longer sufficient.
Portland International Airport is the largest airport in Oregon, with passenger travel and air cargo accounting for 90% and 95% of the state's totals, respectively. The airport has one passenger terminal with four concourses (B, C, D, and E) and a total of 60 gates. The airport provides a range of amenities, including local food carts, a microcinema, a distillery, and unique shopping experiences with fair retail pricing.
The airport is easily accessible via the MAX Light Rail, with the Red Line connecting the airport to downtown Portland in approximately 38 minutes. Other transportation options include taxicabs, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and bicycle repair facilities.
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PDX is also used to refer to Portland as a whole
Portland International Airport in Oregon, United States, is referred to by the airport code PDX. Interestingly, PDX is also commonly used to refer to the city of Portland as a whole, and not just the airport. This practice of using airport codes to refer to cities is seen in other places too, such as with Atlanta, Georgia, which is often called "ATL" by locals and on merchandise.
The use of PDX to refer to Portland may have derived from old weather station coding. Both the US and Canada originally used weather station codes for airports, and some of these codes were kept when airports were given official names. For instance, Canadian airport codes often start with a "Y", which was initially used to indicate the presence of a weather station at that location.
The use of PDX as a synonym for Portland may also be due to the city's love for its airport. Portland International Airport is known for its unique amenities, such as a microcinema that shows short films by local filmmakers, and a distillery. The airport also offers tax-free shopping, free Wi-Fi, and efficient public transportation options, including a light rail connection to downtown Portland.
Additionally, the airport is the largest in Oregon, with passenger travel and air cargo accounting for 90% and 95% of the state's totals, respectively. The airport's history dates back to the 1920s when it was first located in North Portland on Swan Island. It moved to its current location in 1940 and has been a significant part of the city's infrastructure ever since, with direct flights to international destinations since the 1960s.
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The airport has one passenger terminal with four concourses
Portland International Airport, with the airport code PDX, is the largest airport in Oregon. It is located in Portland, Oregon, United States. The airport has one passenger terminal composed of four concourses, designated B, C, D, and E. There are a total of 60 gates across these concourses. The terminal building was renovated and expanded in 1977, and phase one of the new terminal opened to the public on August 14, 2024.
The airport offers unique amenities, including a microcinema run by the Hollywood Theatre, which showcases short films by Portland-based filmmakers that focus on the culture of the Pacific Northwest. The terminal also houses a distillery, and there are several local food carts in the pre-security area. The airport provides a convenient light rail connection to downtown Portland, with the MAX Red Line taking passengers directly to the city centre in approximately 38 minutes.
The airport's first location was in North Portland on Swan Island, and it was moved to its current location in 1940. Portland International Airport has been an international airport since the 1960s, offering direct flights to international destinations. It is known for its friendly staff and efficient organisation, and it is considered one of the best airports in the United States.
The airport code PDX is commonly used as a synonym for the city of Portland itself, and it is often seen in branding and merchandise. The "X" in PDX is a placeholder added to airport names after World War II when there were more airports in the country than two-letter abbreviations.
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The airport offers tax-free shopping, free Wi-Fi, and 500 flights daily
Portland International Airport, with the airport code PDX, is located in Oregon, United States. The airport is well-regarded by travellers, who have praised its cleanliness, friendly staff, and efficient organisation.
Portland International Airport offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of travellers. One notable feature is its tax-free shopping with no markups, allowing travellers to purchase items at the same prices they would find off-site. The airport also boasts a variety of unique shopping options that showcase local products and brands. For instance, the Columbia Sportswear store offers a range of Columbia gear, while the Pendleton stores provide apparel, home goods, and Made-in-USA wool blankets. The Oregon Market features local specialities such as Pendleton salmon, hazelnuts, ceramics, and more. The Timberline gift shop also offers a curated selection of locally designed and crafted products, including apparel, jewellery, glassware, and local snacks.
In addition to its shopping options, Portland International Airport provides free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal, enabling travellers to stay connected during their time at the airport.
The airport also accommodates approximately 500 flights daily, serving a significant number of passengers and contributing to a large portion of Oregon's passenger travel and air cargo. Travellers can take advantage of the convenient light rail connection, known as the MAX Red Line, which provides easy access to downtown Portland and other destinations. The train station is conveniently located within the airport's lower level, making it easily accessible for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Portland International Airport is PDX.
The "X" in PDX is a placeholder added to airport names after World War II when there were more airports in the country than two-letter abbreviations.
Portland International Airport offers a microcinema, local food carts, a distillery, a work station, bicycle repair, currency exchange, and tax-free shopping.
The most popular way to get to and from the airport is via the MAX Light Rail, which has a station on the airport's lower level. The Red Line takes riders from the airport to downtown in approximately 38 minutes.
