A Brand-New $1.7 Billion Airport Terminal Is Opening In Pittsburgh Just In Time For Holiday Travel

As the holiday travel season ramps up, one U.S. airport is preparing to open a completely rebuilt terminal. The new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)—which has been years in the making—is designed to ease crowding, streamline security screening, and help travelers move efficiently from curb to gate.

After several trials where locals tested the space from check-in to baggage claim, the new PIT has finally been given an official opening date ahead of Thanksgiving. Here's a look at what travelers can expect from the newly modernized airport and why early testers believe it could rival major U.S. hubs.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of the most searched Thanksgiving destinations for 2025, is getting a major travel upgrade this month as the city prepares to unveil its brand-new, $1.7 billion airport. The redesigned terminal officially opens on Tuesday, November 18, just in time for the travel rush.

The new facility is different from traditional airports, according to airport officials. Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, says the terminal was built with Pittsburghers in mind.
"This is an airport built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh. It improves the passenger experience and ensures this region remains on a global stage," said Cassotis.

Designed collaboratively by Gensler, Luis Vidal + Architects, and HDR, the new terminal focuses on efficiency. Among the improvements are a faster baggage claim, outdoor terraces, and a dedicated welcome area where travelers can meet their family and friends upon arrival. The redesigned terminal is also equipped with a larger and more advanced security checkpoint, reducing the time it takes to travel from curbside to the gates by half.

Visitors passing through the new Pittsburgh International Airport will also notice its beauty. Design elements throughout the terminal emphasize Pittsburgh's geological features.

"Undulating wood ceilings, tree-like columns, and a roofline inspired by rolling hills create a passenger experience that feels efficient and deeply local," wrote Gensler in a news release.

Another notable feature is the new Skybridge, which connects landside and airside areas with colorful lighting that changes throughout the day. In a news release, the airport describes it as "akin to journeying through a Pittsburgh street."

Locals who had the chance to preview the new terminal agreed that it’s both beautiful and a long-awaited upgrade for Pittsburgh.

Locals Say The New PIT Is "The Airport We Deserve"

Ahead of its official opening, Pittsburgh International Airport invited residents to put the new terminal to the test. On September 20, PIT hosted its first full public trial, welcoming more than 300 community volunteers, along with over 100 staff members and airline partners, to experience the terminal exactly as passengers would on its opening day.

This public test allowed participants to move freely throughout the terminal without guidance from operations staff, giving PIT a clearer picture of how the space functions in real-world conditions.

Feedback from the locals has been positive. One trial participant shared their thoughts on Reddit, praising the terminal's design and efficiency.

"The new check-in, security, and baggage claim areas are large and modern, with high ceilings and lots of natural light. Arrivals, departures, and transit are on three levels. There’s clear, helpful signage everywhere that includes TSA wait times. It’s the airport we deserve and will rival that of bigger cities," they wrote.

Other commenters echoed that excitement, saying they hope PIT becomes a hub that rivals those of bigger cities.

https://www.thetravel.com/author/karla-demery/

The Calder Mobile Returns To Pittsburgh International Airport

I think it looks sensational. It’s one of the largest and most important mobiles. So it’s such an incredible asset for Pittsburgh to have.”

THE ALEXANDER CALDER MOBILE IS NOW INSTALLED IN THE ATRIUM OF THE NEW LANDSIDE TERMINAL AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

That’s the assessment of Alex J. Taylor, a renowned expert on the work of Alexander Calder upon seeing the artist’s 500-pound mobile called “Pittsburgh” now installed in the atrium area of the new landside terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport. Calder created the piece for the Carnegie International in 1958, and it’s been displayed now at three different Pittsburgh airport terminals since 1959.

“It looks much more delicate in this setting than it did in its prior space,” Taylor added.

The mobile, which carries an insurance value of $12 million, was the centerpiece of the airport’s media tour on Thursday that aimed to showcase much of the new artwork that graces the new terminal — even on the outside of the five-story parking garage.

“The idea from the beginning was not to build an airport in Pittsburgh, but to build Pittsburgh’s airport,” said Christina Cassotis, airport CEO. “It needed to reflect and serve this community by bringing in the assets of the community and putting them on display for the world to see. And we know Pittsburgh punches way above its weight when it comes to arts and culture and has a rich legacy of doing so.”

There are 15 artists who have contributed their work, 80% of whom are from Pittsburgh.

CHRISTINA CASSOTIS (FAR RIGHT), CEO OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, STANDS WITH SEVERAL OF THE ARTISTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED WORKS TO THE NEW LANDSIDE TERMINAL AND OTHER AREAS. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Calder, a Pennsylvania native who died in 1976, had several of his mobiles displayed at airports around the country, with one of the largest still hanging at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Taylor said. “Some of those other airports, like Dallas and Chicago, lost them,” he added.

Still, the Calder mobile has a bit of a spotted history in Pittsburgh. After it was purchased by G. David Thompson and donated to Allegheny County, the county decided — without Calder’s permission — to paint the mobile yellow and green, the official colors of Allegheny County, said Taylor, an Australian who is associate professor in the Department of History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh.

“He was very grumpy about it,” he said about Calder. Later, the mobile was painted red — an action that Calder approved — but the color came out more pink. Then, changes were made to prevent the mobile paddles from moving with the air currents. Another time, they put what Taylor called “a horrendous advertising booth” underneath the mobile.

“It was treated very poorly. It wasn’t until the 1970s that it was restored to its original colors” of black and white, like it is today.

“I think in the ’50s, airport officials probably didn’t quite understand what this thing was and the idea that they could repaint it probably didn’t seem so outrageous to them,” he said. “Of course now we understand it’s one of [Calder’s] greatest works.”

Keny Marshall, arts and culture manager at the airport, said the mobile, which had been removed from the current terminal a while ago, was in good shape and all it needed was a cleaning before they installed it last week.

Calder Gardens in Philadelphia will open to the public on September 21, 2025, following a celebratory week of special events, and you can now purchase memberships and advance tickets online. In the lead-up to its inauguration, Calder Gardens announced the September 2025 opening in January 2025, unveiled its new website and visual identity in May 2025, and in 2022, the design by Herzog & de Meuron was unveiled for the Philadelphia cultural destination. For more information, please visit: https://caldergardens.org/

https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/author/virginia-linn/

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.

https://triblive.com/author/anna-mares/