Pittsburgh International Airport Named One of the World's Most Beautiful Airports

When you think of the world’s most breathtaking architecture, airport terminals might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Usually, they are places of stressful security lines, fluorescent lighting, and endless corridors. But Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is officially changing the game.

Just months after opening its highly anticipated, $1.7 billion modernization project, PIT has earned a massive global spotlight. The prestigious, France-based Prix Versailles—in association with UNESCO—has named Pittsburgh’s new terminal to its exclusive 2026 list of the World’s Most Beautiful Airports.

Pittsburgh shares this incredible honor with only six other global hubs this year, including Frankfurt Airport in Germany and San Diego International. Here is a look inside the stunning new gateway that has the architectural world talking.

Designed by "NaTeCo": Nature, Technology, and Community

The 811,000-square-foot facility was brought to life by master architects Luis Vidal + Architects, alongside Gensler and HDR. Vidal designed the terminal around a philosophy he calls "NaTeCo"—a seamless blend of nature, technology, and community. Instead of feeling like a sterile transit hub, the building feels like an extension of Western Pennsylvania itself.

If you fly through the new PIT terminal, here are the jaw-dropping design features you can't miss:

• The Rolling Roofline: The terminal's sweeping, undulating roof was structurally modeled to mimic the rolling topography of the Allegheny Mountains.
• An Indoor Forest: The interior features 38 massive steel columns structurally engineered to branch out like trees, creating a canopy effect over travelers.
• Floods of Natural Light: Giant glass walls run throughout the terminal, replacing depressing terminal lighting with soaring views and natural daylight.
• Outdoor Terraces: Travelers can actually step outside to get fresh air on four beautiful outdoor terraces before catching their flights.
• Local Homages: The passenger journey features a pedestrian tunnel built to pay tribute to the city's iconic Fort Pitt Tunnel, and aluminum leaves are pressed directly into the terrazzo floors.

"This terminal was built by Pittsburghers, for Pittsburgh. It showcases our region's innovation, craftsmanship and hospitality..."
— Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport

A Masterclass in Local Art & Sustainability

Beyond the structural architecture, the new terminal doubles as a world-class art gallery. The airport's design features original works from 15 artists—most of whom are Western Pennsylvania locals. From the wood-framed flight information displays to massive installations, local culture is woven into every corner.

The terminal isn’t just a pretty face, either. It was built with a heavy focus on public wellness and sustainability, featuring advanced energy-efficiency measures, reduced walking distances for passengers, and a universally accessible layout designed to make travel smoother for everyone.

Have You Flown Through the New PIT Yet?

Pittsburgh has long been a city celebrated for its bridges, reinvention, and grit—and now, it has a world-class gateway to match. The next time you book a flight, you might just want to route yourself through PIT to experience one of the most beautiful spaces in modern aviation.

What do you think of the new design? Let us know in the comments below!

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 on Wednesday for a tour of the nearly 92% complete terminal modernization, up from 90% completion in mid-May.

“We’re in good shape to continue 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

4. 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.

5. 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.”

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

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TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Is Home To 8 Fortune 500 Firms, A Thriving Arts District, Champion Sports Teams, And Is Now Gaining National Attention As A 'Hot' Destination To Visit

We were impressed with our first ever visit to Pittsburgh to learn about the development of new hotels in this thriving metropolitan area, named by Conde Nast Traveler as One Of the Top Places In The World To Visit in 2015. We found the city to be clean, reminding us of Toronto, with a mix of eclectic and warmth of a small town feel.

We stayed at one of the newer hotels, the Hotel Monaco. The Hotel Monaco, part of the Kimpton Hotel group, is located in a beautiful Beaux Art style building dating back to 1903. We found the hotel with 247 rooms including 13 suites very comfortable and friendly, with an intent to connect people with offerings including a complementary wine hour. Some of the elements of the hotel are quirky including whimsical art including a theme of bird cages throughout the hotel. Before staying there we recommend visiting their website, www.kimptonhotels.com ,  and joining their Karma Rewards program so you'll be set up with free internet access and extras including a $10 bar credit. We also recommend you call to request complementary services including evening turn-down service and a coffee maker. The hotel does not have a business center or computers to use so we used the business center at the nearby Fairmont. For more details please visit: Www.Monaco-Pittsburgh.Com or call 412-471-1170

The Four Diamond Fairmont Pittsburgh features 185 guest rooms, 12,000 square feet of meeting space and a full-service health club and spa. Unique to the pet friendly Fairmont Hotels are Canine Ambassadors, represented by Edie who is a Boxer/Labrador Retriever mix in Pittsburgh. Edie welcomes guests, hosts events to benefit local animal shelters, and visits local schools and events.  Even if you are not staying at the hotel we recommend visiting to view their display of artifacts from the excavation of the PNC Plaza that the hotel is in.  More than 26,000 objects dating from 1840 to 1872 were recovered by archaeologists offering a unique glimpse into the life and commerce of Pittsburgh in the mid-1800's. The hotel is also the city's first LEED Gold certified hotel. For more details please visit: www.Fairmont.Com/Pittsburgh



One of the more unique dining experiences to Pittsburgh is Emporio, A Meatball Joint. Varieties featured include Classic  Beef, Spicy Pork, Turkey and Vegetarian. We were very pleased with the vegetarian variety made with mushrooms, white beans, and  cauliflower. Nine sauces are offered as well as traditional and eclectic varieties of sides We selected the arrabiata sauce and vegetable quinoa side. For more details please visit: http://emporioameatballjoint.com/ or call 412-281-2810

On future visits to Pittsburgh we will plan to report on the thriving arts and recreational activities offered. For more details please visit: Www.VisitPittsburgh.Com .

Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh Launches “Warrior Wedding” Giveaway For One Deserving Military Couple To Win A Winter Wedding

 The holidays are about dreams coming true, and this season Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is setting out to do just that for those who deserve it the most. The Downtown boutique hotel partners with event planner extraordinaire Bonnie Walker of Bonnie Walker Events, along with Erin Cermak of Revolution Events and Gary Racan and the Studio-E Band of Studio-E Entertainment, and the Harry Panos Fund for Veterans to award one deserving military couple with an incredible winter wedding.

 The collaborative “Warrior Wedding” giveaway campaign launches today, August 11, and is open to all veteran couples with a connection to the Steel City. By simply submitting their love story, couples will be entered for a chance to be selected as the recipients of an all-expenses paid wedding for 100 guests in the Monaco’s spectacular Sheffield Ballroom on December 13.

 “At the Hotel Monaco, we initiated our ‘Random Acts of Kimpton Kindness’ campaign in our local community before we even opened our doors this past January,” said general manager Rob Mallinger. “As a Kimpton hotel, we recognize that a simple smile or a thank you is able to transform a person’s day. With our ‘Warrior Wedding’ giveaway, we’re turning that concept up full throttle. When we thought about our community members most deserving of a ‘thank you,’ the men and women of the U.S. military stood out most clearly. No one puts more of themselves on the line and in harm’s way so selflessly, and we really wanted to do something to recognize that.” All veteran couples who hold Pittsburgh dear in the hearts, whether it be one of their hometowns, a previous or current station or the like, are invited to visit www.monaco-pittsburgh.com/weddingvenues/warrior-wedding/ beginning today through August 31 to enter the “Warrior Wedding” giveaway.

 Of all who enter, three will be selected as finalists, as decided by a campaign committee made up of individuals from the three presenting parties. The three finalists’ stories will be shared with the world on Hotel Monaco’s Facebook Page on September 4. From then until September 10, the public is invited to vote for the story that touches their heart the most. On September 11, the couple with the most “likes” to their story will be announced during the Warriors Rock Concert at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh; shedding light and happiness on a day that is oft mourned. From there, the winning couple will meet with both Hotel Monaco and Bonnie Walker herself to begin planning the wedding of their dreams. “My business partner at Studio-E Entertainment, Kim Racan, and I had the idea of a veteran wedding giveaway in our heads for quite some time,” said event designer and planner Bonnie Walker. “Thanks to the generous support of the Harry Panos Fund for Veterans, Hotel  Monaco and the numerous local boutiques and high-caliber vendors donating their time and services, our dream will become a reality, and we’ll be able to do what we do best, create the experience of a lifetime for two incredibly deserving individuals.”

 The “Warrior Wedding” giveaway is a collaborative effort of Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, the Harry Panos Fund for Veterans and Bonnie Walker Events. The winning couple will receive a five-hour wedding ceremony and reception for themselves and 100 guests at Hotel Monaco complete with an exquisite food and beverage experience from The Commoner, entertainment from Gary Racan and the Studio-E Band of Studio-E Entertainment and photo and video from famed Suzanne Delawar Studios, along with all of the necessary nuptial planning and details that come with their special day. The firstand second-place runner-ups, as identified on September 11 with the announcement of the winning couple, will not be left empty-handed. The hotel will donate two VIP experiences at the Monaco to the runners up, and local furnishings retailer Levin Furniture will also donate prizes for the top three finalists.

 Of all those who vote during the finalist voting period, three will be chosen at random to win participation prizes, including overnight stays at the hotel. For the full terms and conditions of the “Warrior Wedding” contest, please visit www.monaco-pittsburgh.com/wedding-venues/warriorwedding/. ABOUT HOTEL MONACO PITTSBURGH Monaco Pittsburgh is located at the intersection of 6th Avenue and William Penn Place, across from the prestigious Mellon Square Park in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Colloquially referred to as the Golden Triangle, Downtown Pittsburgh is at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. The hotel is just blocks from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, sporting venues, and the Cultural District.

 Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh stands above the urban landscape as the design innovator in the market. A beautiful, meticulous restoration of the city’s iconic Beaux Arts-style James H. Reed Building, originally built in 1903, the hotel features nine stories, 248 guestrooms, over 11,000-square-feet of meeting space and a chefdriven, 120-seat restaurant with a prominent street entrance called The Commoner.

 For more information, visit www.monaco-pittsburgh.com or “Like” the hotel on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hotelmonacopittsburgh. ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a leading collection of boutique hotels and restaurants and the acknowledged industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique hotel concept to the United States. In 1981, Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is renowned for making travelers feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful perks and amenities, bold, playful design and a sincerely personal style of guest service. Out to help people live full, balanced lives, Kimpton aims to inspire with touches like yoga mats in every room, complimentary coffee and tea to start the day, hosted evening Wine Hour, in-room fitness programming and complimentary bike rental.

The award-winning restaurants and bars are led by talented chefs and bartenders that offer guests a chance to dine like a local. Kimpton is consistently ranked as one of the top companies in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, Upper Upscale Segment, for Customer Satisfaction. The company is highly-regarded for its innovative employee culture and benefits and has been named a FORTUNE magazine “Best Place to Work” six times since 2009. Kimpton is continuously growing and currently operates over 60 hotels and 70 plus restaurants, bars and lounges in 30 U.S. cities. In January 2015, Kimpton was welcomed into the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) family of hotel brands, bringing together two special cultures and sets of values to create the world's largest boutique hotel business. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com.