Among the key highlights of the revamped PDX will be a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. The new design aims to incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices to reduce the airport's carbon footprint and promote a greener travel experience.
The renovation will introduce enhanced accessibility features to ensure that all passengers, including those with disabilities, can navigate the airport with ease and comfort. This commitment to inclusivity extends to various aspects of the design, making it a welcoming space for everyone.
Art will also play a significant role in the new PDX, with curated installations and exhibits that celebrate local culture and creativity. These artistic elements will not only beautify the airport but will also provide travelers with a richer cultural experience while they await their flights.
1 The airport is currently renovating
The airport is revealing the new designs in two phases, and some construction will continue until early 2026.
The airport is considered the most "local" airport, featuring 100% local shops and restaurants. Wood for the roof is thoughtfully sourced from nearby forests by partnering with local tribes and sustainable forestry pros. People from around the Pacific Northwest came together to build the new spaces at the Portland International Airport, reflecting the region.
2 Commitment to environmental sustainability
Zero Waste Plan
The airport’s Zero Waste Plan aims to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills by 90% or more. This includes construction and demolition waste. At its headquarters, 75% of all waste has been kept from heading to the landfill.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The Port of Portland is committed to bringing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a renewable alternative to traditional jet fuel, to PDX. SAF is often made from plant-based materials, helping reduce air pollutants. The Port is a member of the SAF Coalition and a founding sponsor of Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest. It is working with partners to accelerate supply chain development and support regulatory incentives to make SAF more widely available.
3 Accessibility
Counter Hearing Loop System
Counter Hearing Loop Systems are at the PDX Info Booths and baggage claim podiums. A counter-hearing loop system is an assistive listening technology designed to help individuals with hearing aids or cochlear implants communicate more effectively in noisy environments. It transmits sound directly to hearing devices.
The system consists of a microphone, an amplifier, and a loop of wire installed within an antenna on the counter. The microphone captures the speaker's voice, amplifies it, and sent through the loop. The loop generates a magnetic field that is picked up by the telecoil in the user's hearing aid, allowing them to hear the speaker's voice.
Hidden disabilities
PDX launched a program offering the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard to passengers with hidden disabilities such as autism, PTSD, or hearing loss. The Sunflower lanyard communicates that passengers wearing it may need extra help while traveling. It is recognized in many airports, both in the US and internationally. Passenger participation is voluntary.
Lanyards are available at the following locations:
Lactation room
These dedicated spaces offer privacy for travelers and airport employees who need to express milk. The rooms are designed for use by people without their infants. However, those traveling with infants seeking a quiet and private place to nurse their babies may also use these rooms. Each room has ample counter space, electrical outlets, a sink, and a chair.
Locations are located as follows:
- Next to the restrooms behind Hello from Portland, pre-security for concourses B and C
- Next to the restrooms opposite Good Coffee on Concourse B
- Next to the restrooms beside gate D4 on Concourse D
- Next to the restrooms opposite gate E8 on Concourse E
Sensory bags and rooms
Sensory bags are a complimentary resource available to all passengers with sensory needs. They are available at the Travel Oregon Welcome Center at baggage claim and at the TSA supervisor's desks. They include a set of hearing protection earmuffs, fidget tools, a coloring book, crayons, a Sunflower Lanyard, a Plane Spotter Guide, and an Emotional Thermometer.
A sensory room is designed to develop a person's senses, usually through special lighting, music, and objects. It can be used as a therapy for children with limited communication skills. PDX partnered with a nonprofit named Kulture City, the Autism Society of Oregon, and nearly a dozen other partners to develop the space at PDX.
Located on Concourse D near gate D10, 4:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. daily.
4 Art and music
PDX offers various music and arts programming supporting local creative talent. The Port of Portland owns and operates PDX and maintains a rotating exhibits program throughout the airport terminal. The program offers nine changing exhibits featuring the work of the region’s finest artists.
PDX’s music program uses live music to create a relaxing, pleasing, and stress-free environment for travelers. Every day, volunteer musicians perform in the terminal and help enhance the passenger experience through personal interactions with travelers. These local musicians volunteer their time, offering travelers an eclectic mix of live music representing some of the best in local jazz, classical, and contemporary styles and approaches.
5 DoveLewis: Dog therapy program
PDX understands that travel can be stressful, so it brought in help to provide calm and comfort to travelers and employees. DoveLewis, the PDX dog therapy program, brings more than 20 highly trained canine therapy teams to various locations throughout the airport. With handlers, dogs roam the terminal, looking for pets, cuddles, someone they can greet with a wet nose, and comfortable places to rest next to PDX travelers.
PDX's History
The Port of Portland began construction of the airport in 1926. In 1936, the City of Portland purchased 700 acres of marshy riverside land along the Columbia River. This land needed 4 million cubic yards of dredged fill to be usable. A $1.3 million grant from the Works Progress Administration helped pay for construction costs. The new Portland-Columbia Airport was completed in 1940, with its opening ceremony on October 13th.
A new FAA tower, parking garage, and canopy over the drop-off lanes were completed in 1999. An expansion scheduled for completion in 2020 will add six gates to Concourse E on the north side of the terminal. Light rail service to the airport began in 2001, and the Port of Portland relocated its headquarters to an airport office building in 2010. A proposal to add a third runway by filling a portion of the Columbia River to connect with Government Island failed in the late 1960s in the face of strenuous environmental opposition to such a significant disruption and alteration of the river.
PDX frequently gets high marks from travelers for its wide concourses, convenient parking, and variety of locally based shops and restaurants that do not take the frequent airport price markup. Since the 1960s, the airport has merited “international” in its name, with direct passenger flights, sometimes seasonal and sometimes discontinued, to Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Germany, Iceland, and, planned for 2017, the United Kingdom.
