This airport is home to a jungle and adorable therapy animals; learn more
At Portland International Airport (PDX), officials have spent a lot of money to bring Oregon’s outdoor atmosphere indoors. The updated terminal features dozens of trees, other plants, streams of natural light, and a wooden ceiling.
Air Travel might be busy! but no PortlandThe newly built international terminal of looks like a forest. Portland International Airport (PDX), officials have spent a lot of money to bring the Oregon outdoors indoors. The updated terminal features dozens of trees, other plants, streams of natural light and a wooden ceiling. It will also feature “therapy” llama and alpaca experiences from time to time.
Sharon van der Meulen, Managing Partner of ZGF Architects, speaking to the media said, “Passengers are greeted with expansive views of the airfield, abundant natural light, and lush interior landscapes that create a sense of wonder and delight and feel akin to a walk through the Pacific Northwest woods.”
The ceiling is intricately curated using wood as it highlights the forest-covered landscape of the PNW. A total of 49 skylights illuminate 72 trees and 5,000 plants. Not only that but all the locally-based shops and eateries let travelers get a taste of Northwest culture. Some of these include Portland Coffee Roasters, Powell Books, Blue Star Donuts, and Pendleton.
Vince Granato, Chief Project Officer for the Port of Portland, spoke to the media saying, “With the new PDX, we wanted travelers to know they were in the Pacific Northwest before they even left the airport. And for locals, we wanted it to feel like home. Creating that sense of place started with ZGF’s stunning design, which was brought to life by thousands of local craftspeople using locally made materials. That’s what makes this project so special.”
The project is much more than an aesthetic exercise. In 2023, PDX handled a total of 16.5 million passengers, and in June 2024, it saw more than 1.6 million passengers, up 9% from 2023, the Port of Portland said. In the peak summer season, the airport handles about 450 flights a day. “PDX is the first and last impression for many of our visitors and the renovation of the main terminal is sure to make it a positive one. PDX is a shining star among our city’s tourism assets, and we often refer to it as one of the city’s best neighborhoods,” explained Jeff Miller, president and CEO of Travel Portland.
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