A RENDERING OF THE MEET-AND-GREET AREA. | COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

When Southwest Airlines landed at Pittsburgh International Airport for the first time in 2005, it debuted with 10 flights. The airline quickly discovered that the landside terminal lacked enough garage parking, enough space for the needed ticket counters and a sufficient number of security checkpoints.

“The airport at that point was transitioning from a connecting airport to an [origin and destination] airport, so the airport has done an amazing job over the years trying to adjust to that,” says Mike Gillock, airport affairs regional manager for Southwest — now the airport’s largest carrier, offering between 28 and 38 flights a day.

“But this [new terminal] is really the big answer for all of our concerns as far as rightsizing the airport, which will benefit our customers,” he says. “They’ll have a great customer experience. Our employees are so appreciative of what it’s going to do to the operation.”

From the start of the new design, airport leaders sought input from the airlines. “Every step along the way, the airport and the airlines have worked hand-in-hand to try to get the perfect terminal,” he says.

Will the opening of the new terminal spur Southwest to add even more flights to PIT? Gillock says Southwest gradually has increased its flights over the years from the original 10. “It definitely gives us that opportunity,” he says, although there are a lot of issues — such as increases in passenger volume and the cost of landing fees — that go into such decisions.

Michael Raucheisen, communications manager for Icelandair, says the international carrier, which started service to Pittsburgh in spring 2024, also is looking forward to the new terminal.

“The updated infrastructure at PIT will not only make things more desirable and convenient for travelers but also for the airlines and crew. This is always the preferred option when choosing origination and connection airports,” he says.

Looking for more information about the airport? Read our user’s guide to the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Rich Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Planning Commission, former Allegheny County Executive

“It’s being designed to show off the great things about Pittsburgh. So when visitors come to a convention or come to visit relatives … they’ll get a real sense of what Pittsburgh is all about. All of the great things around our technology, the green space, the nature — all those kinds of things. It helps to put Pittsburgh on the map and bring a lot more attention to some of the innovative things that Pittsburgh has done.”

Dawn Keezer, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Film Office

“Most of my clients come to Pittsburgh via the airport. They don’t drive here; they’re flying here, and we want them to see something amazing when they get here. So, I think it’s going to go a long way in setting the tone of what the Pittsburgh region is about, what we’re building, what we’re doing. ‘Hey, look at this state-of-the-art facility that they’ve built, and let’s go see what else Pittsburgh has to offer.’ I think they’ve created a doorway we can all be proud of.”

Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development

“Our job is to bring companies into this region and help companies here grow. And it is certainly significantly helpful to us to have an airport that businesses want to fly through, where they can find the flights they need … The story of it, the buzz of it, is certainly rippling through and resonating with the companies we’re recruiting … It’s a story to tell. It’s a story that lands well. And then people say, ‘The asset of an airport is critical to us,’ and this will certainly set you apart.”

Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County Executive

“I think folks will be really impressed by the thought put into what is essentially a mid-size airport and a mid-sized metro. The best part about the airport is that it will welcome visitors from around the world here to Allegheny County and Pittsburgh. There’s this thoughtful design when it comes to making it easy for individuals [and] families to be able to move quickly through the airport.”

Jared Bachar, President and CEO of VisitPittsburgh

“A lot of our time is spent on convincing sports and business event organizers to bring their events to the city. They’re looking at the critical infrastructure of that destination in order to decide whether or not they want to take their convention or sporting event there. So having an airport that is going to be of the caliber of the new airport terminal is going to be tremendous for all of those travel consumers coming in and out of Pittsburgh.”

Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

“It has such a huge impact on uplifting the region in general, and positioning Pittsburgh not only as a great place to live but [also as] a really special place to visit. That is great for the region, and that will only help buoy arts and culture as a result.”

Farnam Jahanian, President of Carnegie Mellon University

“A world-class airport is essential for any modern city, and the new terminal makes it easier than ever before to visit Pittsburgh. It’s also a critical starting point for fueling new opportunities, cultivating new connections and driving economic growth across Western Pennsylvania. The Carnegie Mellon University community is excited to continue welcoming the world to Pittsburgh as we leverage the new terminal to amplify the impact of our mission.”

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