A look inside the new tree-lined main terminal at Portland International Airport

13.08.2024 - 22:48 / thepointsguy.com

Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon, is undergoing a much-needed $2.15 billion makeover.

While construction has been underway since at least 2020, visitors will likely feel it was all worth the wait when the airport's temporary walls come down Aug. 14 to reveal the next (and best) part of the project.

Soon, visitors will experience an expansive and reimagined main terminal with a soaring timber roof, the latest in check-in and checkpoint technology, live trees and plants, and plenty of art, shops, restaurants and inviting places to hang out.

Wondering what you can expect? Here's a first look at what passengers and the public will see at PDX.

As you walk into the new main terminal, right past the check-in area, you'll notice a forestlike giant hall with more than 70 live trees, 5,000-plus plants, almost 50 skylights and a soaring 9-acre roof made entirely of Douglas fir wood harvested from all kinds of sustainably managed farms in Oregon and Washington.

Airline check-in counters are clustered in four carpeted islands perpendicular to the entrance. Passengers flying Alaska Airlines with bags to check will find the newest iteration of the carrier's automatic bag drop system here. The self-service system encourages passengers to scan their boarding passes, print out and attach bag tags, weigh their bags, pay a checked bag fee (if necessary) and send the bags on their way.

On the main floor, you'll find about a dozen presecurity shops and restaurants (some in pop-up form for now). Current options include Hello From Portland, Steven Smith Teamaker, Orox Leather Co., Paper Epiphanies, The Country Cat and Powell's Books.

This main terminal area sports two banks of stadium seating with solid wood benches perfect for hanging out before a flight. This space has a stage area for live performances as well. During our visit, we spotted a grand piano ready to be put in place.

At the top of each bank of stadium seats are lounges with seating areas. Underfoot, you'll spot carpeting that brings back the much-loved teal-and-purple pattern that inspired thousands, perhaps millions, of shoe selfies.

The pattern and colors of the original carpet, which was installed across the airport in 1988 and replaced in 2015, were carefully recreated for installation in these lounges and for several other spots in the new main terminal area.

Loyal Legion, a popular local beer hall, will occupy the mezzanine level of the presecurity main terminal area. In addition to serving more than 90 Oregon beers on tap, this venue will offer great views of the surrounding landscape, including the airfield, as well as a perch to watch the bustling activity in the main hall.

The new main hall at PDX has two identical