Portland Airport Unveils New Terminal Featuring an Indoor Forest, Local Cuisine and Brews, and Therapy Llamas

After five years, the first phase of the extensive renovation at Portland International Airport (PDX) is complete, showcasing streamlined ticketing and security areas, a lobby filled with light and greenery, a large beer bar, and the return of the iconic PDX carpet. The terminal officially opened on August 14.

PDX began its transformation in 2019, but work continues. Sections of the north and south terminals are set for renovations, transforming them into larger exit areas, more shops, and meeting spaces. The second and final phase is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Here’s what awaits you in the newly inaugurated terminal.

A vibrant design brimming with nature

As you step into the new terminal, the first thing that stands out is the expansive view straight through to the airfield, creating a wonderfully open and airy atmosphere. You’ll also notice the inviting scent of freshly cut timber.

The impressive timber-lattice ceiling, crafted solely from Douglas fir, comes from sustainably managed forests and tribal lands within 300 miles of the airport.

Vince Granato, chief projects officer at the Port of Portland, expressed, "Our goal was to ensure that anyone in this space feels distinctly connected to Portland." He noted that the ceiling captures the essence of the region.

Sharron van der Meulen, managing director at ZGF Architects, shared the reasoning behind selecting Douglas fir for the ceiling—besides its local abundance, the area is home to many talented woodworkers.

"This connection to wood products is a fundamental aspect of our identity," van der Meulen remarked.

Granato explained that the vision for the new terminal was inspired by "a walk in the forest." The gently arched canopy, visible wooden beams, and 49 skylights are designed to evoke the play of sunlight filtering through trees onto the forest floor.

Granato stated, "Every aspect of the design aims to alleviate stress and enhance the travel experience." This intention is also why the airport occasionally features llamas and alpacas for visitors to enjoy.

The terminal boasts over 70 trees, such as black olives and ficus, alongside more than 5,000 shrubs, all native to the Pacific Northwest.

The ticketing and baggage drop areas are conveniently located nearest to the entrance. From there, travelers can navigate the terrazzo and Oregon white oak floors to the left or right, leading to the twin security zones, both equipped with automated security bins. The flowing patterns of the floors echo the curvature of the roof while subtly referencing the nearby water systems, like the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

For those with a bit of time to spare, the expansive lobby offers a relaxing atmosphere, featuring two large central seating areas adorned with benches that resemble river stones and branches.

Granato noted, "The design aims to create a communal gathering space. With large groups passing through, such as sports teams or families, we saw this as an ideal spot for people to come together before heading to security."

The iconic PDX carpet is back!

The timeless and cherished Portland Airport carpet has returned with the new terminal. Originally designed in 1987, this custom teal carpet features vibrant bursts of red, pink, and purple, intended to resemble an abstract control tower and runways. It was replaced in 2015, much to the dismay of the locals.

Granato shared, "During our initial focus groups, we asked what people wanted from the airport, and they expressed a desire to maintain its heart and soul. The carpet was incredibly important to them."

The replica, which PDX noted took seven attempts to perfect, is hidden like Easter eggs throughout the terminal, including beneath a grand piano by Missionary Chocolates and atop the stadium seating.

Travelers can also locate the carpet's spots on the Fly PDX online terminal map by searching for "The Carpet" in the search field.

The opportunity to interact with therapy llamas

A unique addition to the new PDX: therapy llamas. According to an airport spokesperson, “The llamas and alpacas come to PDX to comfort and entertain travelers as part of the airport's extensive pet therapy initiative. They typically visit a few times a month, and passengers adore it. It’s a distinctive PDX way to spread happiness among travelers,” the spokesperson told Dinogo.

The llamas and alpacas will make special appearances for occasions such as the holiday season and a recent summer street fair in July. Interested in knowing when these furry companions will return to PDX? You can follow the airport on Instagram for updates on their future visits.

Art that embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest

Above each security line, video walls display stunning visuals of the Pacific Northwest, including Mount Hood on a clear day and the Columbia River Gorge adorned with wildflowers, captured by local photographers and videographers. There are no sounds or advertisements—Granato mentioned that they aimed to make the screens a calming presence while waiting in line. The videos also adjust based on the weather outside; for instance, if it's raining, the video walls will reflect that with corresponding visuals.

Throughout the terminal, local artist Yoonhee Choi was commissioned to design two impressive glass walls, each 56 feet long and 11 feet high, adorned with playful, abstract patterns inspired partly by colorful speech bubbles. Additionally, L.A.-based artist Sanford Biggers created two large sculptures, influenced by his quilt art, that hang from the ceiling in the corridor connecting the concourses.

Stumptown Coffee, Pendleton, Powell’s Books, local craft brews, and more

A collection of two dozen stores and restaurants has been or will be introduced in the new terminal, each housed in its own unique timber structure. All establishments are local to Portland, with half being women- and minority-owned businesses.

Already, the terminal features retailers such as Pendleton (known for its wool clothing and blankets), Hello From Portland (a souvenir shop offering locally crafted jewelry, stickers, food items, and gifts), and Powell’s Books (the beloved bookstore whose airport branch closed during the pandemic).

Among the dining options in the terminal are Grassa, specializing in handmade pasta, and the Country Cat, offering salads and sandwiches. Coffee enthusiasts can enjoy Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Portland Coffee Roasters. Craft beer lovers can visit the spacious Loyal Legion Beer Hall, which overlooks the airfield and boasts 96 taps (and will eventually feature a speakeasy). Note that Powell’s, along with Freeland Spirits distillery and canned cocktail brand Straightaway, will initially operate from temporary kiosks until their permanent locations are established in the second phase of construction.

A unique initiative at PDX supports small businesses that traditionally struggle to establish themselves in airports due to high costs and long lease terms. At PDX, retailers typically have seven-year contracts, while food and beverage spots have ten-year leases. Two shop spaces have been set aside for retailers to use for one year as incubators, with hopes they will transition into permanent spaces at PDX or other airports. (Bambuza Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar, which now operates in Seattle and Portland airports and is planning a location in Salt Lake City, began at PDX.) Missionary Chocolates and Orox Leather are the initial leaseholders at PDX for the first year.

If you experience a sense of déjà vu while strolling through the concessions area, it’s by design. The layout is intended to replicate Portland’s most popular shopping districts, such as 23rd Street and Mississippi Street, with similar building heights, signage placements, and the arrangement of trees and light poles.

Bonus: You don’t need a boarding pass to explore the airport’s shops or restaurants—all new concessions are located before security.

“People enjoy coming to the Portland airport to greet their arrivals, perhaps even more than at other airports,” Granato noted. “It was essential for us to design a space that welcomes locals as well.”