Behind the scenes
Peek behind the curtains to meet the cool and creative people defining the future of travel at PDX.
Sneak Peek: Everything Cool Coming Soon to Concourse E
Published January 02, 2020
Quick update: Concourse E is now complete. See how it came to life here.
Not every city has an affinity for its airport. But Portland isn’t just any city. And PDX isn’t just any airport.
“You find brands here [at PDX] that Portlanders love, small-businesses, and women- and minority-owned businesses. It reflects the Portland I see on the street every day,” says Katherine Lam, owner and president of Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen. “It gives travelers a taste of the true Portland experience.”
We’ve got good news: More of that neighborhood flavor is landing at the Portland International airport when the freshly expanded Concourse E opens this summer.
If you’ve driven into PDX recently, you may have glimpsed the sleek building going up alongside Airport Way. That’s the bright Concourse E extension. In addition to six new gates for Southwest Airlines, it welcomes a new Bambuza cafe and many more coming attractions.
Wondering what else is unfolding behind those glass walls? Check out this sneak peek of the cool things coming to the brighter, tastier and PDX-ier E gates.
Arriving soon at PDX:
1. Epic Views of Mt. Hood’s Snowcapped Peak
A sweeping wall of windows frames views of Oregon’s biggest volcano. (See what’s inspiring the new concourse design here.)
2. Oregon-Made Treats From Tillamook
Tillamook is bringing a slice of the Oregon Coast to PDX, where you can get a taste of your favorite cheese, ice cream and more “dairy done right.” (See a full list of food hot spots coming to the airport here.)
(Photo Credit: Tillamook)
3. Immersive Art Displays by Jacob Hashimoto
The concourse doubles as a gallery for three-dimensional sculptures inspired by Portland’s cityscape and the natural elements of the Pacific Northwest. (Check out our conversation with Jacob here.)
(Photo credit: Fredrick Nilsen)
4. An Emporium for Musicians and Makers
Tender Loving Empire opens a new marketplace stocked with handmade goods and vinyl LPs.
5. A Lounge Celebrating Women in Aviation
Sip craft cocktails at Juliett, a landmark lounge from the Lightning Bar Collective — the team behind some of your favorite watering holes like Sweet Hereafter and the Bye and Bye.
(Photo credit: Sweet Hereafter)
6. A Feast Fresh From Bambuza’s Kitchen
Chow down on bánh mi, pho and more at the latest outpost from this Portland cafe, which sources local ingredients and uses 100% recyclable take-out packaging.
7. Extra Comfy Seats With Plenty of Plugs
We’re bringing you more cozy spots to relax and recharge — literally — before your next flight.
8. Jamba!
Now you can get your Jamba smoothies, bowls, juices, shots and more at PDX. And c’mon, sometimes all you need is a cool Caribbean Passion.
Photo credit: Jamba
The flexible interior spaces were designed with the future of travel in mind — and to give you plenty of comfortable spots to recharge before your next flight.
Two permanent installations from acclaimed contemporary artist Jacob Hashimoto hang like clouds above the concourse’s common areas.
Shops and restaurants are clustered together like city blocks, with a pedestrian-friendly scale and lots of room to spread out.
Artist Jacob Hashimoto’s canopy of kite-like discs reflects the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest, with locally inspired graphics incorporated throughout.
Sky-high windows fill the interior with daylight while maximizing the concourse extension’s energy efficiency.
At the east end of the concourse, a wall of windows opens up this epic view of Mt. Hood, where you’ll definitely want to pose for a photo before takeoff.
The Concourse E extension project is the dedicated home for Southwest Airlines at PDX, with six new gates.
Remember the view of Mt. Hood on Concourse E? It’s coming back, brighter than ever.
Tillamook’s menu includes the best of the classics with fried cheese curds and a signature grilled cheese.
Calliope takes its name from one of Oregon’s native hummingbirds and showcases creative and playful keepsakes.
Grab your favorite book, magazine or newspaper at Your Northwest Travel Mart.
Remember the feeling of walking through an Oregon forest for the first time?
That feeling inspired the design of the new Concourse B.
An early movement flow study for the new Concourse B.
The new Concourse B has great exposure to southern light.
Interior rendering for the new Concourse B.
The new Concourse B has Pacific Northwest touches like warm wood panels and indoor greenery.
Exterior rendering of the new Concourse B.
The six new ground loading gates for Alaska Airlines are bigger and brighter.
Our new rental car center opens in 2021.
Movable plants and furniture make the space flexible.
When the new rental car center opens in 2021, you won’t need a shuttle to pick up your car.
Interior acoustical materials help reduce noise.
The new facility also provides more long-term parking, new office spaces, and a new and relocated parking toll plaza building.
A new exit plaza opened in November 2019.
Every design decision we make is about keeping the heart and soul of PDX intact. You’ll see homages to all the things you love about our city and region in the new airport designs.
The new terminal’s wooden roof (as seen in this close-up rendering, right) might remind you of daylight filtering through forest canopies.
You’ll notice subtle nods to Pacific Northwest elements throughout the new space. The ripples and currents of our pristine rivers, for example, are inspiring the undulating flow of the wooden roof, as depicted in this architectural model (right).
We’re filling the new main terminal with a lot of Portland love — both in terms of regionally sourced materials and, well, doughnuts. (C’mon, what would PDX be without doughnuts?)
You’ll see a scene something like this when you enter the more spacious ticket lobby at PDX. This early architectural rendering previews the vision for the iconic wooden roof — inspired by Pacific Northwest nature, craft and our partly sunny skies.
Natural light, living trees and native Oregon foliage might give you the feeling of walking through a park, as this early architectural rendering shows.
Expanding the heart of the airport creates more spaces for the local shops and restaurants you love. Architects are thoughtfully planning these public spaces to resemble the human-friendly scale of your favorite Portland neighborhoods.