If you’ve been to the Portland International Airport (PDX) in the past few years, you may have noticed large temporary walls encasing what once was Concourse A. If you looked up, you probably saw at least a few giant sticky note signs high on the walls that read “We’re under construction” and “The ceiling’s gone,” playful reminders the airport was in the midst of a two-phase, $2 billion renovation led by ZGF Architects. The goal? Make the airport bigger, prettier, more sustainable and more resistant to earthquakes.
In summer 2024, the walls came down and travelers finally got to see PDX’s new main terminal, an expansive — and quite Oregonian — space. The second phase of the undertaking will be completed in early 2026, and many more exciting changes are in the works. For now, here are all the amazing new features to look forward to on your next visit to PDX.
Art and Design
PDX’s striking Oregon-inspired aesthetic was conceptualized using biophilic design, which seeks to create a connection to nature within architectural spaces. Huge windows allow lots of light to stream in, and towering trees and plants remind you that wherever you are in Oregon, the forest is never far away. Massive skylights use wood slats to create “shadow casting,” a technique that evokes the dappled light beneath trees, all while providing a natural alternative to fluorescent bulbs. An art installation dubbed “Extraordinary Windows” — consisting of a pair of 120-foot-long video walls — shows an ever-changing display of imagery from across the region.
The space is crowned by a glorious new latticed ceiling made entirely with wood sustainably sourced from within 300 miles of the airport. Much of the wood was sourced through partnerships with four Pacific Northwest tribes, including Southern Oregon’s Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the coastal Coquille Indian Tribe.
High-traffic parts of the airport are now floored with terrazzo (which has a lower carbon footprint than carpet) and hardwood tiles, both smoother options for wheelchairs and roller bags. However, you don’t have to give up the tradition of photographing your feet on the airport’s iconic carpet: There are currently five spots across the airport where you’ll find swatches of the teal treasure, with five more to come in 2026.
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Practical Perks and Accessibility for All
PDX’s new iteration is as functional as it is beautiful, and numerous improvements have made the space more accessible, inclusive and easy to navigate. However, getting around the airport will be a little different until the second phase of renovations are complete. During construction, travelers flying through concourses B and E will have longer walks to their gates. Arriving passengers will also need to use temporary exit lanes at the center of the terminal until 2026, when the airport will open permanent exits on the north and south ends of the main terminal. For tips on getting around, visit PDX NEXT.
Airline counters have been reconfigured into parallel “islands.” Alaska Airlines has launched an automatic bag drop with kiosks where you can print your own luggage tags (airline staff will still be on hand to provide support as needed). TSA checkpoints have been widened and now have multiple luggage-loading stations so three travelers can load bags onto the belt simultaneously. Accessible women’s and men’s restrooms remain on the main floor, while private all-user restrooms are on the mezzanine level (for stair-free access to the facilities, head to the elevators to the right of the stadium-style seating area).
Shopping and Dining
Food and shopping options at the new PDX feature a mix of old favorites and new-to-the-airport businesses, many with BIPOC and/or women ownership. Like everywhere in Oregon, there’s no sales tax, and airport businesses agree to charge the same prices inside the terminal as they do outside. The new pre-security market hall in the main terminal features long-standing airport favorites such as The Country Cat and Portland Coffee Roasters. There’s also a new branch of the beloved beer hall Loyal Legion on the mezzanine level with huge runway-facing picture windows. Give yourself enough time before heading to security to browse Portland-themed gifts at Hello From Portland, fine leather goods at Orox Leather Co., delectable dairy-free truffles at Missionary Chocolates, and cards and stationery that support intersectional feminist values at Paper Epiphanies.
Once you’ve cleared security, you can pick up some grab-and-go delights for your flight at Capers Market, a wood-fired pizza at Oven and Shaker, or a cup of quintessentially Portland joe at Stumptown Coffee Roasters in the south hall. If you’re in the north hall, try a made-to-order pasta dish at Grassa, a slice of innovative pizza at Sizzle Pie or a sweet treat at Blue Star Donuts.
Post-security shopping options are a work in progress; while Pendleton is up and running, many shops will operate at kiosks until they open full stores in early 2026. These include Powell’s Books, which is ready to supply bibliophiles with the oldest form of in-flight entertainment. For a refreshing souvenir, check out Straightaway Cocktails, which sells premixed craft cocktails by the can, or head to Steven Smith Teamaker for distinctive tea blends from around the world.
