In the past, medium-sized cities were preferred memphis, kansas city And Pittsburgh was home to bustling airline hubs – crossroads of the country where millions of connecting passengers passed each year.
However, those days are long gone.
As airlines consolidated and grew their networks, these airports shifted from connecting points to solely origin-and-destination (O&D) gateways. In other words, they became major hubs facilitating connections to airports serving primarily passengers who actually live in or visit the area.
That change has forced airports to rethink their purpose and their design. Optimized layouts for quick connections and hub operation are gone; In their place are amenities that prioritize convenience, efficiency and a sense of location for local travelers.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the latest airport to revamp itself. Since 2021, a major glow-up and restructuring of $1.7 billion is underway.
The opening of the Terminal Modernization Program (TMP) is just weeks away – just before the Thanksgiving holiday. TPG first reported -And before the inauguration, I traveled to Pittsburgh TPG’s Ben Mutzabaugh So that can give a glimpse of what passengers can expect soon.
Good news? There’s a lot to love here, even for those who have fond memories of US Air (and later US Airways)’s hub operation at PIT.
departure area
From the moment you walk up to the new facility, you’ll be amazed by what you see, even if you’re not a local who will immediately appreciate the upgrade.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
To start, the three-level departure and arrival hall is a shiny new structure built adjacent to the existing airport.
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It is located at the intersection of the C and D concourses and is designed to focus the experience on departure and arrival traffic. (Without a bustling hub, PIT’s traffic is only 3% made up of connecting flyers.)
Departing passengers will be dropped off at the top level of the facility, where you’ll get a glimpse of the old landside terminal facility as well as the all-new parking garage and outdoor parking areas (more on that later).
Whatever the weather, PIT’s new four-lane departure curb keeps you protected from the elements thanks to a roof overhang that covers most of the lane.
The new terminal has three entrances, all of which lead to a dramatic new check-in area.
I suggest entering from the middle vestibule to maximize the potential for oohs and ahhs over the new terminal.
For me, the things that immediately caught my attention included the soaring ceilings, abundance of natural light, tree-inspired columns and constellation-style lighting.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
Together, these elements are designed to give passengers a feel of Pittsburgh’s trees and rolling hills.
I like how the roof naturally directs passengers towards the new centralized security area.
But before you get there, you may need to stop at the modern check-in desk located around the perimeter of the departure area.
Since American and Southwest are PIT’s two largest airlines, they got the check-in desks closest to the security lane. (Don’t worry, no route here is long.)
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
On the way to security, you’ll pass PIT’s major art piece, a kinetic mobile called “Pittsburgh” by Alexander Calder, as well as Hudson News, the Camden Food Company, and a set of restrooms.
Talking about the restrooms, each one is designed with a unique piece of art hanging near the entrance. All toilet doors open outward, and you’ll also find a small fresh flower arrangement next to each mirror Lufthansa First Class,
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
As Bob Kerlik, PIT’s director of public affairs, explained, you’ll find plenty of seats before security — an intentional design choice — because many PIT passengers like to leave their loved ones inside the terminal (and pick them up inside, too).
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
The 12-lane security checkpoint will bring much-needed increased screening capacity to the PIT, expected to eliminate the congested early-morning lines at the existing facility.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
You will find every type of security lane here – Clear, PrecheckPriority and General – These will all be processed using TSA’s new blue analog machines.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
After security, passengers will walk across a short bridge equipped with giant digital screens showing rotating images of Pittsburgh’s more famous bridges, and then into a short tunnel before converging into the central terminal core.
Anyone who has been through a PIT recently will quickly realize that there is one thing missing from this new setup: automated people movers.
The new terminal was built adjacent to the gate areas, making the departure and arrival experience for passengers much more efficient. According to PIT officials, this is a more cost-effective solution for airlines, saving them an estimated $20 million annually.
Although the new terminal is certainly attractive, the airport is not renovating the gate areas (at least, not yet). You’ll find some upgrades, such as modern restrooms and updated digital signage and wayfinding near the gates, but the concourse is still largely the same as it used to be when US Airways jets could be seen at most gates.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
The design is in stark contrast to other medium-sized former hub airports kansas cityWho have rebuilt their terminals – including gates and concourse areas – from the ground up.
This also means there is no longer any room for a new lounge; You’ll still get an Admirals Club and a general-purpose tool Club at PIT As two airport lounges.
arrival area
Incoming passengers will also get relief, as domestic arriving passengers will directly exit the train without stopping.
There are eight baggage claim belts, four fewer than the existing facility, but they’re all nice, new, and – perhaps most importantly – faster than the old terminal. This is because airlines will not need to move bags between the concourse and the landslide terminal. Everything will be in a single facility, reducing the length the bags need to travel from eight to three miles.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
The baggage claim also features unique artwork. Four of them feature revolving phrases that evoke passengers’ emotions while waiting for their bags; The other four contain life-size wooden sculptures made locally.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
Speaking of artwork, Pittsburgh did something I hadn’t seen before in all my travels. It turned flight information display into an art. Yes, you’ll still be able to easily glimpse your flight status, but these displays are now wrapped in Pittsburgh-grown and handcrafted wood, adding even more local flair to the airport.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
Another element designed to resemble the space is the addition of four outdoor terraces: two located at the edge of the landslide and two after safety. Unfortunately, only one of the smaller, more casual ones will be open on the first day.
The larger, more impressive decks won’t be ready until the spring, Kerlik said.
That said, they seem to be worth the wait – especially near the international arrivals area, which will be beautifully decorated and offer pop-up concessions and more.
Travelers arriving from international destinations who need to clear customs and immigration will pass through a new federal inspection station, which connects to the main arrivals hall with a hallway decorated with local artwork.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
After arriving, all passengers will find themselves on the second level of the departures and arrivals hall.
Family and friend pickup will take place on this level, while rideshare, shuttle buses and access to the new garage are available on the ground level.
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Zack Griff/The Points Guy
Rideshare pickups have a dedicated area with angled parking spots so passengers can easily see the license plate of their assigned car.
Meanwhile, a covered walkway leads to the new five-story parking garage. The ground floor will be home to the new consolidated rental car facility, while the remaining floors (except the roof) provide 3,271 covered parking spaces – three times more than the previous facility.
For those who don’t mind braving the elements, there is also a large open-air parking lot with space for 2,800 cars adjacent to the rideshare pickup.
Parking rates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
ground level
Overall, Pittsburgh has done a great job in reimagining itself for the post-hub era.
Although some airports may remember the glory days when they had greater connectivity and millions more passengers, PIT is fully gearing up towards its new reality as an origin and destination airport.
The good news is that passengers will now enjoy a far more efficient and modern travel experience, similar to some of the best new US airport terminals.
Of course, one might wish they didn’t have to stop in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia or Atlanta to get to some of the more far-flung destinations from Pittsburgh these days, but at least the ground experience would be world-class.
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