Pittsburgh’s new $1.7 billion terminal sparkles

In the past, mid-sized cities such as Memphis, Kansas City and Pittsburgh were home to bustling aviation hubs that served as the nation’s crossroads, with millions of connecting passengers passing through each year.

However, those days are gone.

As airlines consolidate and grow their networks, these airports transform from connection points to pure origin and destination (O&D) gateways. In other words, they move from being major hubs that facilitate connecting airports to airports that primarily serve travelers who actually live in or visit the area.

This shift has forced airports to rethink their purpose and design. Gone are the layouts optimized for fast connections and hub operations; replaced by facilities that prioritize local traveler convenience, efficiency and a sense of place.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the latest airport to reinvent itself. A major $1.7 billion upgrade and restructuring effort has been underway since 2021.

We’re just weeks away from the launch of the Terminal Modernization Program (TMP) — just before the Thanksgiving holiday, as TPG first reported — and ahead of the launch, I traveled to Pittsburgh with TPG’s Ben Mutzabaugh to get a sneak peek at what passengers can expect.

Good news? Even for those who may have fond memories of American Airlines’ (and later US Airways’) hub operations at PIT, there’s a lot to like here.

departure area

From the moment you pull up to the new facility, even if you’re not a local and don’t immediately appreciate the upgrades, you’ll likely be in awe of what you see.

First, the three-story departures and arrivals hall is a gleaming new building adjacent to the existing airport concourse.

Located at the intersection of Concourses C and D, it is designed to focus the experience on departure and arrival traffic. (With no busy hub, PIT’s traffic consists of only 3% connecting passengers.)

Departing passengers will be dropped off on the top floor of the facility, where you can get a glimpse of the old landside terminal facilities, as well as the new parking and outdoor parking (more on that later).

No matter the season, PIT’s new four-lane departure curbs will protect you from the elements, thanks to an overhanging roof that covers most of the lanes.

The new terminal has three entrance foyers, all leading to the striking new check-in area.

I recommend entering from the central vestibule to maximize your chances of being wowed by the new terminal.

For me, things that immediately caught my attention included the soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, tree-style columns, and constellation-style lighting.

Together, these elements are designed to give visitors a sense of Pittsburgh’s trees and rolling hills.

I love how the ceiling undulates, naturally guiding flyers to new centralized security areas.

But before you get there, you may want to stop at the modern check-in counters located around the departures area.

Since American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the two largest airlines under PIT, their check-in counters are closest to the security lanes. (Don’t worry, the trails here aren’t long.)

On your way to security, you’ll pass the PIT’s flagship artwork, an Alexander Calder-designed power car called “Pittsburgh,” the Hudson News, Camden Foods, and a set of restrooms.

Speaking of restrooms, each restroom has a unique piece of art hanging near its entrance. All bathroom doors open outwards and you’ll even find a small flower next to each mirror, Lufthansa First Class style.

PIT Director of Public Affairs Bob Kerlik explained that having plenty of seats before security is an intentional design choice because many PIT travelers like to drop off loved ones inside the terminal (and pick them up inside the terminal).

The 12-lane security checkpoint will bring a much-needed increase in screening capacity to PIT and will hopefully eliminate morning rush hour queues at the existing facility.

Here you’ll find various types of security lanes – Clear, Pre-Check, Priority and General – all of which will be processed using TSA’s new blue Analogic machines.

After security, passengers will walk across a short bridge with a giant digital screen displaying the rotating silhouettes of Pittsburgh’s famous bridges, then enter a small tunnel and then into the central terminal core.

Anyone who has experienced a PIT recently will quickly realize that this new setup is missing one thing: an automated people mover.

The new terminal is adjacent to the departure gate area, providing passengers with a more efficient departure and arrival experience. It is also a more cost-effective solution for airlines, saving them $20 million annually, according to the PIT authority.

While the new terminal is certainly eye-catching, the airport has not renovated (at least not yet) the gate area. You’ll find some upgrades like modern restrooms, updated digital signage and wayfinding near the gates, but the concourses are still largely similar to how they were back when US Airways jets could be seen at most gates.

This design contrasts with other mid-sized former hub airports such as Kansas City, which rebuilt the terminal from the ground up, including gates and concourse areas.

This also means there is no more space to build new lounges; you can still find the Admirals Club at the PIT and the Public The Club as the airport’s two lounges.

arrival area

Arriving passengers are also in for a treat as domestic arriving passengers will walk directly to the exit without having to hop on a train.

There are eight baggage claim strips, four fewer than the existing facility, but they are all better, newer and, perhaps most importantly, faster than the old terminal. This is because airlines do not need to transport luggage between the concourse and the landslide terminal. Everything will be done in one facility, reducing the distance luggage needs to travel from eight miles to three miles.

There is also unique artwork in the baggage claim area. Four feature rotating phrases that evoke the feelings travelers feel while waiting for their luggage; the other four feature locally crafted life-size wood carvings.

Speaking of art, Pittsburgh does something I’ve never seen in all my travels. It turns flight information display into art. Yes, you can still easily catch a glimpse of your flight status, but the displays are now wrapped in Pittsburgh-grown and handcrafted wood, adding a more local feel to the airport.

Another design element that parallels the site is the addition of four outdoor terraces: two on the landside and two behind security. Unfortunately, only one of the smaller, more modest stores will be open on day one.

The larger, more impressive deck won’t be ready until spring, Creek said.

That said, they appear to be worth the wait – especially the one adjacent to the international arrivals area, which will be beautifully manicured, with pop-up deals and more.

Travelers arriving from international destinations who need to clear customs and immigration procedures will pass through a new federal checkpoint connected to the main arrivals lobby, a hallway decorated with local artwork.

Upon arrival, all travelers will find themselves on the second floor of the departures and arrivals hall.

Pick-up for family and friends will take place on this level, while the ground level provides carpooling, shuttles and access to the new garage.

Rideshare transfers have dedicated areas with angled parking spaces so travelers can easily see the license plate of their designated vehicle.

Meanwhile, a covered walkway leads to the new five-level car park. The ground floor will be home to a new integrated rental car facility, while the remaining floors (minus the roof) provide 3,271 covered parking spaces, three times the number of the previous facility.

For those who don’t mind enduring inclement weather, there’s a large open-air parking lot next to the ride-share transfer service, with room for 2,800 cars.

Parking fees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

bottom line

All in all, Pittsburgh has done an excellent job of reinventing itself in the post-hub era.

While some airports may hark back to the glory days with more connectivity and millions of passengers, PIT is fully embracing its new reality as both an origin and destination airport.

The good news is that travelers will now enjoy a more efficient and modern travel experience that is on par with some of the best new airport terminals in the United States.

Sure, one might wish they could travel from Pittsburgh to some more far-flung destinations without stopping in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia or Atlanta, but at least the experience on the ground will be world-class.

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