A little over four years after ground was broken, the first passengers began coming and going from Pittsburgh International Airport’s new $1.7 billion terminal Tuesday.
The new terminal replaces an outdated landside terminal designed for an airline and traveler base of the past, one that airport officials say Pittsburgh has long since closed its doors on in favor of a local passenger community.
Airport officials say the transformation marks the start of an enhanced air travel experience to better connect Pittsburgh to the world and the world to Pittsburgh.
Officials say passengers can expect a faster and more streamlined security experience, quicker baggage delivery, more enhanced and efficient parking options, and expanded shopping and dining choices. The new terminal was also built with Universal Access in mind, ensuring it creates a more welcoming experience for every passenger.
“I have always believed that Pittsburgh deserved a wonderful front door to a wonderful community,” airport CEO Christina Cassotis said while meeting with local media at the new terminal’s Arrivals level Tuesday morning.
“And we built it and a lot of people were involved. It is magical and I think what makes it magical is not just the assets of the community, but the people who came together to get it done.
“You can see it and feel it. And I think it’s a chance for everybody to say, ‘Yeah, this is us.’ We don’t need to look back so much. We really can look forward.”
The new terminal’s first inbound passengers arrived via a redeye – United Airlines flight 794 from San Francisco — at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.
United flight 794’s pilots, Captain William Westfahl and First Officer Kyle Green, said they were notified by Air Traffic Control about an hour out from the Pittsburgh airport of the special honor their flight had to be the new terminal’s first arrival. Passengers became excited when they were informed of the news once they landed in Pittsburgh.
“It’s my first time here in Pittsburgh,” Green said. “It’s really nice and everybody’s smiling and happy. Love it.”
Westfahl said it had been a few years since he’d been to Pittsburgh.
“But I’ve always liked the Pittsburgh airport because there’s so much shopping compared to other airports,” he said. “I was telling [Kyle Green] on the way in there’s a lot to do here. But now seeing this, it’s supercharged. It’s fantastic.”
The Departures level continued to handle more early morning flights, including Southwest Airlines flight 1841 to Denver at 5:30 a.m. followed by Southwest flight 518 to Baltimore at 5:45 a.m. and American Airlines flight 1399 to Miami at 6 a.m.
Passenger Keith Spruill walked through the doors to the new terminal at approximately 3 a.m., having had no idea he was the new facility’s first official passenger.
The Wilkinsburg resident and North Carolina native was headed to Miami on JetBlue, and he expected his airport experience to be like any other after booking a last-minute plane ticket the week prior. It was a pleasant surprise when he became the first passenger to walk through the transformed PIT.
“It’s very aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “I like the lights on top. It gives a nice, relaxed feel.”
“I can imagine when it gets filled with people, it will be a lot smoother and quicker,” he added. “Having such an open area, a lot of people can easily see their flights.”
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