For the last 4 or so years, PDX (Portland International Airport) has been going through a transition. Now, we were voted Best Airport by Travel + Leisure for 5 years in a row before this, and everyone has always said how much the loved coming to it, because we have local shops and restaurants and it feels inviting and we don't mark up prices like every other airport does, so when they said we were getting a huge remodel, I wasn't sure why...but we're halfway through it and I am in love.
Let's look at what the old airport looked like, before and during renovations:
PDX has always been pretty open. We had specialty carpet put in in the 80s (that looked like the title photo) and almost a decade ago it was torn out and replaced with the carpet you see in this picture. People were devastated. The PDX carpet was iconic. We took shoe selfies with it, had merchandise with the print on it, and this new carpet was just...not it. The old carpet was, well, old and disgusting and would cost entirely too much to have replicated, so they cut up that old carpet and instead of throwing it out, they sold it in square foot pieces for those of us that were sad to see it go. Obviously, I'm one of those people who paid $50 for a square of ugly carpet that I also loved. I framed it and it's hanging on my living room wall.
Our airport was covered in this new carpet, making it kind of difficult to drag the new 4-wheeled roller bags along with you, but we made it work. Sometimes, you would just go to the airport to shop and eat, because there was a lot pre-security and it was a fun place to people watch.
There was a lot of open space and skylights where they were needed, so you weren't just walking around in a dark box, but it really needed an upgrade.
For years, we've been showing up for flights and much of what we were used to seeing was behind walls, though they put up these fun giant post-its to make it feel more whimsical. You would have to walk a long ways to your flight one time, and then another time you would have to walk a long way in a different direction, because a different part of the building was being worked on. It was always a surprise, but the concept art was beautiful and our airport would finally be safe during an earthquake.
Now, after 3-4 years and a lot of anticipation, the first phase of the airport is finally open. I went the Saturday after the official grand opening and was certainly not disappointed. The new areas are bright, airy, and bring in all the best of the Pacific Northwest. They had new "old" carpet made and put it in areas where people could still enjoy it and take their show selfies: in upstairs seating areas and in the public entertainment areas (i.e. under a piano in the atrium)
The ceilings are so high that we now have space for even more great art.
Plants have been added strategically, to bring the outside in and create a soothing atmosphere.
Our TSA and security procedures are so much faster and less crammed together. 3 people at a time can bin their stuff to go through the x-ray.
I especially love these new seating areas that look like branches and river rocks. There are places to plug in your devices, and it's out of the way of the main walkways, so it's also quiet and relaxing.
Last, but not least, here's what you used to come home to. This sterile set of doors that I know a lot of other airports also have. They are always awkward and kind of the worst photo op.
Here's a video of what you come home to now. That stadium seating is made with the wildfire wood and now there's room for your loved ones to comfortably wait for you and not be all scrunched up in a tiny corner of the lobby. I saw several people holding signs again, excited to welcome people home. I love that.
Next year we should see the second phase opened, which will mean all the walls will come down and we won't have to walk forever to get to the majority of the gates. I'll update again when that's done.
Tell me about your favorite airport
