Big trees, a wooden ceiling and ‘therapy’ llamas: What you’ll find in PDX’s renovated terminal

At Portland International Airport (PDX), they’ve spent big money aiming to bring the famed Oregon outdoors indoors. The updated terminal is being filled with dozens of trees, thousands of other plants, streams of natural light and a wooden ceiling to create an arboreal atmosphere.

PDX will also continue having appearances by “therapy” llamas and alpacas time to time.

The $2.15 billion renovation has several purposes, according to Allison Ferre, media relations manager with the Port of Portland, which runs PDX. An important one is a better design to get people through the facility more efficiently.

“The previous terminal – multiple buildings patched together – wasn’t designed for how we travel post-9/11 with TSA. Now the experience will be so much better,” Ferre told CNN Travel in an email interview.

But they’ve also put a major emphasis on making the passage through the airport less stressful with necessary stops at security and such.

“The new terminal also uses biophilic design — bringing in the natural world — to harness its benefits like lowering travelers’ stress, blood pressure, and heart rate and make it feel like a stroll through a Pacific Northwest forest,” Port of Portland said in a news release.

Ferre also noted restaurants and shops are being placed in pre-security areas. The airport hopes to become a destination in its own right, even if people aren’t flying out — building on a trend set by airports such as Changi in Singapore.

What PDX passengers will see

The airport is attempting to provide an arboreal atmosphere with big trees and a lots of natural sunlight streaming into the overhauled terminal.

One of the first things passengers might notice will be 72 large trees, including black walnut, ficus and olive varieties, disbursed throughout the terminal, Port of Portland said. There will be about 5,000 live plants in all.

And they’ll be getting their photosynthesizing sunlight from 49 strategically placed skylights coming through a striking Douglas fir ceiling cut from local forest in Oregon and Washington using sustainable harvesting methods.

“Local” has been the mantra of this project.

“Thousands of people from around our region came together to achieve something nobody had ever done: build a locally sourced airport,” said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of Port of Portland, in an email to CNN Travel. “It’s all designed to give travelers a uniquely PDX experience.”

Along with the new stuff, a couple of old PDX faves are coming back after popular demand, the Port’s release said.

Powell’s, a literary institution of Portland since the 1970s, had a PDX branch for 30 years, but it closed during the pandemic. But the bookstore is returning with the reopening, according to the release.

Another return is underfoot — the PDX 1980s-style carpet. Featuring geometric shapes on a teal background, the carpeting developed something of a cult following but was removed several years ago. That made fans blue. But in select areas, a new covering of the same print is being installed, Port of Portland said.

Llamas and alpacas and food and culture

Airport officials hope PDX will be a dining and hangout spot even for people who aren't flying out that day. Some shops and restaurants have been added to areas before the security lines start.

Two of South America’s famed load-bearing mammals are raised in abundance in Oregon — and they make special appearances at PDX as a type of “therapy” for frazzled flyers.

“The llamas and alpacas visit PDX to soothe and delight travelers as part of the airport’s broader pet therapy program,” Ferre said. “They usually visit a couple times per month.”

The calming creatures come from Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, and Ferre said passengers can check PDX’s Instagram page for an upcoming schedule.

Restaurants and storefronts — some new, others returnees — are being set up in a fashion to mimic strolls through Portland’s neighborhoods.

Local ingredients and local chefs will be at the culinary forefront, the news release said. Among the offerings will be Grassa, a hand-crafted pasta place that’s opening its sixth location in the area at PDX.

The emphasis on local resources and culture extends to the first inhabitants of the area. Some of the wood sourcing came direct from tribal lands.

Brenda Meade, chairman of the Coquille Indian Tribe, told CNN Travel in an email: “I’m really proud of the fact that people visiting Portland will see a bit of Oregon’s culture in the airport. It’s so important to our Coquille potlatch culture to welcome our guests.”

More space, more to come

The undulating roofline and glass wall showing the interior wooden ceiling give the main terminal at PDX a different feeling from most other major US airports.

The project has been more than an aesthetics exercise. It was also about adding more room to a busy terminal.

“We’re renovating and upgrading approximately half-million square feet and adding approximately half-million square feet. Combined, this work will nearly double the passenger capacity (to 35 million annually),” Ferre said.

PDX handled 16.5 million passengers in 2023, and in June 2024, it saw more than 1.6 million travelers, which was up 9% over 2023, the Port of Portland said. In peak summer season, the airport handles about 450 flights a day.

Work at the airport doesn’t end Wednesday with the opening of the main terminal. All of this was just Phase 1.

There’s a second phase that starts immediately and is projected to be finished in early 2026. It will feature two “cozy” areas where people can wait on travelers, private restrooms with tile mosaics designed by local artists and more escalators to baggage claim.

“PDX is the first and last impression for many of our visitors and the renovation of the main terminal is certain to make it a positive one,” Travel Portland President and CEO Jeff Miller said. “PDX is a shining star in our city’s tourism assets, and we often refer to it as one of the city’s best neighborhoods.”

The renovation at PDX also includes plans to make the airport a culinary destination, with local restaurants like Grassa opening locations within the terminal. The emphasis on local resources and culture continues, even extending to the sourcing of wood from tribal lands.

In addition to the therapeutic visits from llamas and alpacas, PDX is looking to the world of aviation for inspiration. The airport is currently exploring opportunities for partnerships with aviation-themed attractions, aiming to create a unique and engaging travel experience that goes beyond the traditional airport experience.