Your guide to Portland International Airport (PDX)


Portland International Airport (PDX) is one of the main travel hubs in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 19 million passengers a year arriving and departing. If you’re flying through PDX Airport, this handy guide can help you find the services and amenities you need.

Plan landing at Portland International Airport. Image credit: jackscoldsweat/iStock
Plan landing at Portland International Airport. Image credit: jackscoldsweat/iStock

Portland Airport is well laid out, with one terminal, divided into the North and South Terminal Areas, and five concourses labeled A through E. The Airport is filled with unexpected amenities that include a spa and a movie theater complex. Make your layover at PDX more productive and enjoyable with this helpful guide.

What airlines fly out of PDX Airport?

While most of the flights out of Portland Airport are domestic, several international carriers also operate out of the airport, with PDX international flights heading mostly to Canada, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Portland’s most heavily traveled routes take travelers to Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle/Tacoma. These are the airlines flying out of Portland Airport:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeroflot
  • AeroMexico
  • Air Canada
  • Air Canada Jazz
  • Air China
  • Air France
  • Air New Zealand
  • Air Tahiti Nui
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Alitalia
  • All Nippon Airways ANA
  • American Airlines
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Avianca
  • Boutique Air
  • British Airways
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • China Southern Airlines
  • Compass Airlines
  • Copa Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • El Al Israel Airlines
  • Emirates
  • Fiji Airways
  • Finnair
  • Flexjet
  • Frontier Airlines
  • Gulf Air
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Horizon Air
  • Iberia
  • Icelandair
  • JAL Japan Airlines
  • Jet Airways
  • JetBlue Airways
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
  • Korean Air
  • LATAM Airlines
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • NetJets Aviation
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • SkyWest Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Spirit
  • Sun Country
  • SWISS
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Virgin Australia
  • Volaris
  • WestJet
  • WestJet Encore
  • XOJET

Portland Airport lounges — find a spot to rest or work

If you have a layover in your travel plans, these Portland Airport lounges can give you a spot to get some work done or relax away from the crowds. Portland Airport has several lounges spread across its five concourses to choose from. Don’t expect to be served liquor in any of these lounges; Oregon’s liquor laws don’t allow it.

Priority Pass lounges and restaurants

Priority Pass members have quite a few spots to choose from at Portland Airport. You can join Priority Pass independently to gain access to more than 1000 airport lounges around the world, or you can take advantage of the access provided by several prestige credit cards.

At PDX Airport, Priority Pass members can use the Alaska Airlines lounge, which is located in Concourse C (see below for lounge details). However, when the lounge gets crowded, Priority Pass members may be turned away.

Priority Pass operates two other unique lounges — in fact, they’re not technically lounges at all in the traditional sense. Stop in at House Spirits Distillery to enjoy the first airport-based tasting room in the world. Also in Concourse C is Capers Cafe Le Bar, a private bar and cafe that serves hot food and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere.

Priority Pass offers 28 USD off each member’s bill, though tips are expected. This unique concept of restaurant “lounges” is only available at one other U.S. airport, making Portland something of a pioneer.

Enjoy a work meeting while at Portland Airport. Image credit: sanjeri/iStock
Enjoy a work meeting while at Portland Airport. Image credit: sanjeri/iStock

Alaska Airlines Lounge

Located in Concourse C near Gate 5, this lounge is open to Alaska Airlines premium passengers, Priority Pass members, and American Express Platinum cardholders. If there’s room, it’s often possible to buy a day pass to the lounge.

This lounge is relatively small, given that Portland is one of Alaska Airlines’ hubs. The seating areas have nice views of the tarmac, with a TV viewing area and a small business center. At the dining area, you can take advantage of a cold buffet — though if you’re here in the morning, the pancake-making machine is very popular. Beer and wine are available, served by attendants.

United Club

Premium passengers flying on United can relax in this lounge, as can walk-ins, who pay for entry if there’s room. Wi-Fi is excellent in this quiet, relaxed lounge, so it’s a good place to get work done, surrounded by a pleasant, old-school vibe. The lounge serves beer and wine, with a cold buffet.

Delta Sky Club

At the Delta Sky Club, you’ll gain entry if you’re a member of the Sky Club or flying in first or business-class. This lounge is the largest at PDX, but it does tend to get a bit crowded. Food consists of salads and snacks, which the friendly staff will bring to you at your seat. And yes, you can get wine and beer here.

Airport facilities – catch a flick, get a haircut, or enjoy a massage

Portland is one of the most pleasant airports to be delayed in, thanks to its many amenities. If you’re traveling with your family, head to the Concourse connector between the North and South Terminals or to Gate C19 to find children’s play areas. Baby care facilities are also located throughout the airport, with several rooms for breastfeeding moms.

The airport also has a pharmacy that can arrange for you to speak to a physician on the phone if you’re not feeling well. The Portland Airport barber, known as The Barbers, awaits you if you feel you need a haircut or an old-fashioned shave before your big meeting, and don’t be surprised if you find musicians performing throughout the airport — these scheduled live performances help Portland Airport stand out, as do the rotating art exhibits throughout the airport.

At the Dragontree Spa in Concourse C, you can get rid of your pre-flight or post-flight stress with a full body massage. Don’t have time for that? Sit down for an over-the-clothes chair massage, or bliss out with a foot massage. The Spa also offers waxing treatments as well as eyelash and eyebrow tinting.

A unique offering at the PDX Airport is the Hollywood Theatre, a microcinema that shows programs of short films made by local filmmakers. Any ticketed passenger can drop in to watch for free, and any Oregon filmmakers can submit their work to be screened.

Portland Airport shopping – save a bundle on tax-free shopping

If you’re about to leave Oregon, there’s a special incentive to do a little last-minute shopping in this airport. Oregon is one of the few states that doesn’t charge sales tax, so everything you buy here is tax-free.

Before you go through security, stop in at Brookstone to pick up travel necessities or fun gadgets. Pick up some entertainment for the plane at InMotion Entertainment or Sound Balance, or indulge yourself at the airport outpost of Portland’s famous Powell’s Books, which sells both new and used books, and games, for your flight.

If you need to pick up a souvenir to take home to your loved ones or a memento for yourself, stop in at Made in Oregon, which has outposts in Concourses C and D as well as just outside security. Special gifts are also available at Metalsmiths Sterling, where you’ll find handcrafted jewelry, or stop at the Oregon Market to browse through The Real Mother Goose, which features art glass, ceramics, and handmade jewelry.

Women who need a new outfit for upcoming appointments can stop in at CC McKenzie Shoes and Apparel in Concourse C, or stop in at Columbia Sportswear, the noted Portland-based outdoors retailer, if you need sports gear or clothing. All those skin and body care products you couldn’t take through security are available at Kiehl’s. And of course, notable retailers Nike and Pendleton have shops outside security.

Portland Airport hotels – your bed is waiting for you

If you want to stay near the airport before catching your flight or when you arrive late at night, several hotels are located on the hotel grounds and ready to meet your needs.

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel

This hotel offers comfortable rooms equipped with high-speed internet access, ergonomic workstations, and large TVs to help you feel comfortable. Its airport location makes it an ideal stop for business travelers who have meetings in either Portland or Vancouver, Washington.

Country inn & Suites Portland Airport

Free hot breakfast every morning is a big drawcard at this hotel that’s also located on the airport grounds, or opt for the On-the-Run breakfast bag that gets your day started fast. An outdoor pool provides a dash of fun during the summer months, and Wi-Fi is free.

Hampton Inn Portland Airport

This convenient hotel also offers free hot breakfast as well as free Wi-Fi. The fully equipped fitness center helps you get your workout in, and the hotel offers a lending library in case you’ve gone through all your reading material. An indoor pool is open all year round.

Portland Airport dining – grab and go, or sit down and enjoy

A wide variety of restaurants at Portland Airport help you eat well and enjoy yourself before you board your flight. If you don’t have time for much, check out the food carts outside security serving sandwiches, Korean food, and Thai food.

Before Security in the Oregon Market

  • Beaches Restaurant and Bar. A Portland favorite serving sushi, salads, burgers and more, along with a full-service bar. This spot is known for its breakfasts. Also in the same area: the Beach Shack, a quick-serve version of the larger restaurant
  • Flying Elephants Deli. If you’re hooked on Stumptown Coffee, this local deli is the place to stop in.
  • Sandoval’s Fresh Mexican Grill. This is where to stop if you’re craving a breakfast burrito.

Concourse A

  • Starbucks. You can fill your coffee needs at this reliable purveyor of caffeine, which also has shops in Concourses C and D.

Concourse B

  • •Stumptown Coffee. If you’re a Stumptown fan, you can only hope to end up in Concourse B to get your daily java.

Concourse C

  • Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen. A healthy, flavorful Asian menu with plenty of gluten-free options.
  • Cafe Yumm. Those with special dietary needs flock to this healthy cafe. Yes, they can take care of you if you need gluten-free, trans-fat free, sugar-free, vegetarian or vegan meals.
  • Henry’s Tavern. Dozens of local beers await your tasting here, and the from-scratch cooking lifts your meal above the usual pub grub.
  • Mod Pizza. A friendly pizzeria that makes everything to order.
  • Mo’s Seafood & Chowder. Portlanders love this casual seafood spot, even in its airport quick-serve version.

Concourse D

  • Burgerville. Bet you can’t guess what the specialties are here.
  • Hissho Sushi. Every meal is a performance at this theatrical kitchen, where sushi is made with natural ingredients.
  • Rogue Ales Public House. Craft ales lure travelers to this friendly pub, which also serves basic high-end pub grub.

Concourse E

  • Laurelwood Brewing Company. Noted for their microbrews, this pub also offers a cafe with gluten-free options. Another Laurelwood awaits you in Concourse A.
  • The Country Cat. Farm-to-table dishes show diners why Oregon cuisine is worth a visit. This full-service restaurant features a full bar.

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