Pittsburgh International Airport opens new modernised terminal improving passenger experience and regional connectivity

Credit: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) opens its modernised terminal today marking a new era for the region’s travellers. The $1.7 billion terminal represents more than a decade of planning and four years of construction, creating a state-of-the-art facility designed for the Pittsburgh community and its passengers.

“This is a new day for our region. This is an airport built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh. It improves the passenger experience and ensures this region remains on a global stage,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis. “This terminal is industry-leading from its architecture that reflects our region to amenities like outdoor terraces and a state-of-the-art baggage system to a streamlined security checkpoint. The new terminal is emblematic of Pittsburgh’s modern innovation economy.”

The terminal has undergone rigorous testing over several months, including two public trials with more than 2,000 participants providing feedback. Test passengers offered suggestions on improving security layouts, wayfinding, and baggage claim adjustments. The new terminal replaces the old facility built for US Airways and designed primarily for connecting passengers. PIT is now a fully origin-and-destination airport, accommodating multiple airlines and passenger types.

Credit: Pittsburgh International Airport

Passengers can expect numerous improvements. Security will be faster and more streamlined, with one consolidated checkpoint featuring 12 TSA lanes and automated bin return. Baggage delivery times are expected to be halved thanks to a new system that cuts the conveyor belt from eight miles to three miles. International arrivals will also be more efficient, replacing a temporary arrangement that saw international passengers arriving airside.

Parking has been expanded and modernised, with 6,000 new spaces across three main areas. The Terminal Garage provides three floors of covered parking and observation deck views over PIT, while the Terminal Lot is a five-minute walk from the terminal. The Shuttle Lot, formerly the Long Term, Extended, and Economy Lots, offers thousands of spaces, heated shelters, and a shuttle tracking system with real-time information. Pre-booking is available at ParkatPIT.com, which opens on Friday, November 14.

The airport also introduces four outdoor terraces, two pre-security and two post-security, landscaped with Western Pennsylvania flora. Welcome Point offers a space for visitors to wait for arriving passengers, reflecting Pittsburgh’s community spirit. Enhanced shopping and dining include 20 new or refreshed concessions featuring local favourites such as Mineo’s and national brands like Shake Shack. Universal access has been prioritised, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all passengers.

PIT’s transformation has had a significant economic impact. The project generated an estimated $2.5 billion for the region and created more than 14,000 jobs without using local taxpayer money. Approximately 90 percent of the workforce came from Greater Pittsburgh, and 90 percent of materials and services were sourced locally, including 16,000 tons of structural steel.

The terminal also introduces the Skybridge, connecting the landside terminal with the renovated airside terminal. The Skybridge offers a quicker, seamless journey from security to gates and is designed to resemble a Pittsburgh street, with lighting that reflects the region’s natural landscape. Airside renovations include modernised gate areas, spacious bathrooms, family restrooms, nursing lounges in each concourse, a variety of local and national concessions, and a new Core area.

The terminal has been built to reflect Pittsburgh, connect with its community, and provide a welcoming experience for all visitors. “You will get a sense of what Pittsburgh is from the minute you land,” Cassotis said. “And I think Pittsburghers will be surprised that there’s as much to brag about and feel proud about, that we can tell other people about.”

The opening marks a milestone in PIT’s evolution, delivering faster security, improved baggage handling, modernised passenger facilities, and convenient parking. Outdoor terraces and the Skybridge create a sense of place, while concessions and amenities showcase local and national offerings. The airport’s design emphasises efficiency, convenience, and passenger satisfaction, ensuring a seamless journey for travellers.

PIT’s transformation from a former hub for connecting flights into a modern origin-and-destination airport reflects Pittsburgh’s innovation and commitment to its community. It provides a terminal for today’s passengers, designed with input from locals and built by regional talent. The project blends functional improvements with aesthetic elements that showcase the city’s character.

From enhanced security to a more efficient baggage system, from innovative parking solutions to the Skybridge experience, the new PIT terminal is a landmark achievement. It strengthens Pittsburgh’s presence on the global stage while creating a welcoming, community-focused environment for travellers.

As the terminal opens, passengers will experience the results of extensive planning, testing, and collaboration. PIT now offers an airport experience built for Pittsburghers and visitors alike, combining operational excellence with a sense of place, community engagement, and passenger convenience.

The transformed terminal positions PIT as a modern, innovative airport ready to accommodate passenger growth, support airlines, and reflect Pittsburgh’s identity. With its focus on streamlined security, faster baggage handling, enhanced amenities, and community-focused design, the airport delivers a new standard for passenger experience in the region.