One thing we all love about the Portland International Airport is its neighborhood vibe — we’re not going to change that. Lately, though, the neighborhood has started to feel a little cramped. Here’s why: PDX welcomes around 20 million passengers annually, but the airport was built in the 1950s to serve less than half that many travelers. And we expect to grow to 35 million passengers in the coming years. PDX needs flexibility so that we can adjust to future technology that has the potential to change the way we travel. And we need more space so that everyone we welcome to the airport has a comfy spot to hang out. See for yourself how the action will unfold.

Starting in November, we’ll say goodbye to the oldest and stuffiest concourse at PDX … forever. Concourse A will cease operation and be demolished to make room for a more spacious Concourse B. (In the meantime, all Alaska Airlines flights will depart from Concourse C, where you’ll find more restaurants and more places to relax before takeoff.) That means that the alphabet at PDX will now officially begin with “B,” not “A” — we’re doing our part to keep Portland a little weird.

We’re making the Portland International Airport more, well, PDX. Expect new views of Mt. Hood, creative work from acclaimed artists, some of your favorite Portland restaurants (um, hello, Screen Door) and #PNW touches like warm wood panels and indoor plants. And in addition to making the airport more comfortable and convenient, we’re also making it more sustainable and inclusive by design. PDX Next is the airport you love, getting lovelier.

Imagine nearly doubling the size of a busy main terminal and building a new roof over an airport that operates 24/7, all while serving 50,000 passengers a day. That only gives you a sense of the scale of PDX Next, which will increase the size of the airport while keeping the small-town friendliness and local character you love. These transformative projects collectively represent one of the biggest investments in the history of the Portland International Airport.

PDX Next is funded with a $2 billion investment. You may wonder who’s picking up that check. The answer is simple: It’s not local taxpayers, as some folks may assume. The vast majority of these upgrades are paid for by airport tenants, including the airlines, Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration.

You bet! That’s one way we’re keeping the heart and soul of PDX intact. As we open more spaces for restaurants and shops, we’re creating new opportunities for local businesses. And in the next two years, we’re placing an even greater emphasis on elevating small and disadvantaged entrepreneurs; by the time these new shops and restaurants open, 26% of the airport’s concessions will be women- and minority-owned.

We’re making a bunch of improvements to help you get in and out of the airport seamlessly. A few of these changes are now in effect. The next time you hail a car, it’ll be easier to find your driver thanks to a pioneering program based on Uber’s PIN technology and Lyft's code-based pickup service. The icing on the cake comes in 2023 when we’ll open a dedicated rideshare pick-up area, which will ease roadway congestion for everyone.

Oh yes, the famous carpet at PDX. It’s risen to celebrity status over the years, thanks to the bajillion shoe selfies travelers share on Instagram. You probably know that the airport replaced the iconic, worn-out 1980s-era carpet with a fresh-but-similar design in 2015. We’re happy to confirm that you can keep snapping pics of your handsome sneakers. As is currently the case throughout the airport, our new and renovated spaces will feature varied flooring materials inspired by the Pacific Northwest, homey carpet included.

The extensive art and music program at PDX is a microcosm of our region’s creative scene, and PDX Next means even more of it. You can look forward to new work from artists such as Jacob Hashimoto, who will open a permanent exhibit in Concourse E in summer 2020. Stay tuned here at PDXNext.com for more arts announcements and behind-the-scenes stories.

Well, this isn’t a question … but don’t worry, we’ve got some tasty news for you. In the next couple of years, nine new concessions will open at PDX. The mix of new restaurants includes local favorites like Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen and Tillamook coming to Concourse E, and Good Coffee and Screen Door in Concourse B. Check out this behind-the-scenes story about our new culinary hot spots.