Pittsburgh International Airport’s new, $1.7 billion terminal officially opened to passengers on Tuesday morning.
It’s a project that has been in the works for more than a decade.
The last flight out of the old terminal took off around 10 p.m. Tuesday. Around 11 p.m., TSA closed the old security checkpoint.
The last bags rolled over that 90s tile when the 12:30 a.m. flight from Atlanta arrived – the last one to fly into the old terminal.
Around 1 a.m., the tram took the last riders to the landside terminal before shutting down for good.
And that dreaded walk between security and parking is no more. The new parking garage next to the terminal has 3,000 spaces with smart technology. There will be a green light right above spaces that are open. There’s also an adjacent surface lot with another 2,800 spots.
The old parking lots will become economy parking. Shuttles will bus riders to the new terminal. Eight new bus shelters were added, which are all heated.
Channel 11 spoke with dozens of flyers on Tuesday morning, who said they were blown away when they walked into the terminal for the first time.
“I feel like I’m going into the future – like walking through it almost,” said Wade Barton of Morgantown.
“We had a lot of switch over in the middle of the night – roadways, baggage systems, passengers, and staff – and it went really well,” said Christina Cassotis, president & CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport.
Keith Spruill was one of those passengers – the first flyer through the new TSA checkpoint. He said he had no idea the new terminal was set to make its debut this week.
“I started off in the old building,” Spruill said. “Coming out and seeing the T. rex and all that…I was like, ‘Okay, same old flight to Pittsburgh,’ but no. I got to experience something new.”
The three-story terminal features state-of-the-art technology, including the Skybridge, “expresscalators,” a new baggage belt system, now only three miles long instead of eight, and security checkpoints with up to a dozen lines and enhanced screening capabilities to keep everyone safe.
Everyone has a new favorite spot.
“I like the lights on top – it gives a nice relaxed feel,” Spruill said.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS
©2025 Cox Media Group