5 things travelers can expect at the new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal

Coming back from a trip will have never felt so good — no more landing at the Pittsburgh International Airport after an incredible trip, only to be met by depressing carpeting and dated 1990s design. The airport is getting a $1.7 billion glow-up via a new terminal.

Pittsburgh International Airport opened its doors last week for a tour of the nearly 92% complete terminal modernization, up from 90% completion in mid-May.

“We’re in good shape to continue to be on track to open in the fourth quarter of this year,” said Paul Hoback, executive vice president and chief development officer for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “We’re coming to substantial completion.”

The baggage system, “the lifeblood of an airport,” is at 99% completion, according to Hoback.

Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, said she was told by an expert who opens airports around the world that it is normally a struggle to find 2,500 people who are willing to help test the terminal before the official opening.

“This is Pittsburgh,” she said. “And guess what? We have 18,000 people who have said they would love to be in the test day, in the integrated trial.”

A group of 2,000 to 2,500 volunteers will be selected to take part in the Sept. 20 trial, bringing the 12-year project close to completion.

Here are five things travelers can expect at the new terminal when it is complete.

Modernized security

The new terminal boasts a quicker alternative to the previous security experience.

Siri Betts-Sonstegard, senior vice president of experience and design at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, motioned to the new TSA lanes.

“We are at one of the most stressful moments in the passenger journey,” she said. “There’s no getting around it — going through TSA can be stressful. We’ve intentionally designed the space to be much larger than our current 1992 airport.”

Top-of-the-line equipment will make things more efficient, she said.

Cassotis says the TSA experience will drastically improve. There will be 12 lines, versus the six that are available today.

“No shoes come off, no computers come out and no liquids come out,” she said.

Thoughtful send-off

The new send-off area, where passengers can say goodbye to their loved ones, is meant to feel like a living room, Betts-Sonstegard said.

The space is still incomplete but is slated to have warm lighting, couches and comfortable vibes.

“In Pittsburgh, we have a great sense of community,” she said. “We have a lot of people who want to send their loved ones off. In the future, we will have seating areas where people can compose themselves and get ready to say goodbye to their loved ones.”

Revamped arrivals experience

Many Pittsburghers enjoy coming to the airport to pick up their loved ones. The new space will have cafe tables with local coffee shop Cafe Conmigo of Wexford opening up shop in the terminal.

“You’ll meet your loved one, have coffee from Cafe Conmigo, and look out onto the two terraces, which are very unique for a U.S. airport,” Betts-Sonstegard said.

Four outdoor terraces will embrace the theme of NaTeCo, the creative fusion of nature, technology and community.

“We want this place to be a destination,” Hoback said. “People love to come to the airport. Our hope is we can have events here and invite the public out to enjoy — especially post-pandemic, where outdoor spaces have become so important.”

The customs arrival section of the terminal will include windows facing one of the outdoor terraces.

“It’s much improved from what our customs is now,” Hoback said. “It is 33 years old and in desperate need of an upgrade.”

Sensory Pittsburgh design

The renovated terminal eases travel anxiety with a warm, post-security welcome with a space that mimics the compression and expansion experience of the Fort Pitt Bridge.

“Passengers walk through a tunnel that has a specific membrane and lighting that mimics the weather in the sky,” Betts-Sonstegard said. “If there are blue skies, it’s blue, and if it’s sunset, it will have sunset colors.”

She’s excited because the new terminal design truly embraces the spirit of Pittsburgh.

“We want the design to give people that sense of place,” she said.

New express elevators will go from the ground floor to the second floor. Sounds of Pittsburgh will fill the space, from audio of cheering fans at a Steelers game to the serene Pittsburgh Symphony.

“It will give a nod to Pittsburgh,” Betts-Sonstegard said.

Improved signage and transportation

Betts-Sonstegard is most passionate about the new sign and wayfinding system, intentionally designed for people with color blindness.

“Today, if you’re color blind, you can’t actually see the signs,” she said. “It’s been a good improvement.”

Updates on making it from extended parking to the new terminal will roll out over the next month or so, Director of Public Affairs Bob Kerlik said. Shuttle buses will transport passengers.

“The most important point is it’s still the fastest way to get to the terminal,” he said. “It may be faster because there will be a newer and more expanded shuttle service compared to what we have today.”