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<\/a><\/p>\nPHOTOS BY BETH HOLLERICH<\/p>\n
When you think of airports, many may think of people movers, gate changes and long lines at security. Odds are, you don\u2019t think of nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh International Airport is aiming to change that.<\/p>\n
On July 29, PIT unveiled the new, pre-security UPMC Terrace, a 36,000 square-foot greenspace that features a walkway, seating and landscaping inspired by the region\u2019s natural beauty. With access points on the arrivals level at the Welcome Point and between baggage carousels five and eight, the terrace \u201cprovides travelers, visitors and employees with access to fresh air, natural light and views of airport operations, intending to create moments of calm amid the often-hectic pace of travel,\u201d according to Blue Sky News.<\/p>\n
At a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis called the terrace \u201cthe most beautiful outdoor space at a U.S. airport\u201d and added that it allows visitors to get a taste of Western Pennsylvania\u2019s beauty.<\/p>\n
And the best part? Anyone can enter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are one of the few airports in the United States that has access to the outdoors like this without the cost of entering; you don\u2019t have to pay, you don\u2019t have to be a member of a certain club,\u201d Cassotis says. \u201cThe terraces are redefining what it means to be an airport. I think this will surprise a lot of people, and people will say, \u2018Oh, I had no idea you could do this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
PIT is among the first major U.S. airports to incorporate multiple outdoor terraces directly into a new terminal design and to provide such space both before and after security. It joins the ranks of San Diego International, which opened a 5,000-square-foot post-security terrace in 2005, and New York\u2019s JFK, which added a post-security rooftop deck as part of its Terminal 5i project.<\/p>\n
But PIT\u2019s pre-security terrace stands out for its \u201cpublic-oriented design,\u201d which officials say allows the public to \u201cexperience the magic of aviation\u201d whether they\u2019re boarding a plane or not.<\/p>\n
UPMC TERRACE RIBBON CUTTING FEATURING, LEFT TO RIGHT, RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION DIRECTOR SAM REIMAN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL REP. KATHLEEN MADONNA-EMMERLING, ALLEGHENY COUNTY EXECUTIVE SARA INNAMORATO, ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY CEO CHRISTINA CASSOTIS, UPMC SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND TALENT MANAGEMENT OFFICER JAMES TAYLOR AND ACAA CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER TRAVIS MCNICHOLS.<\/p>\n \u201cThe UPMC Terrace is much more than an airport amenity that we put our name on,\u201d says James Taylor, UPMC\u2019s senior vice president and chief culture, community and talent management officer. \u201cIt is a special community space that reflects the energy, beauty and spirit of our region. It creates a healthier, more welcoming travel experience and reinforces Pittsburgh\u2019s global reputation as a place that values innovation, well-being and community connection.\u201d<\/p>\n Other leaders spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony, including Allegheny County Council District 1 Rep. Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, whose district includes the airport, and\u00a0 Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the architecture to the use of the native landscape, this airport reflects that our region is thriving, innovative and deeply committed to our natural beauty and to all who come here. The UPMC Terrace is a perfect example of that vision,\u201d Madonna-Emmerling says. \u201cIt represents a new way of thinking about airports.\u201d<\/p>\n A Return to the Roots<\/p>\n Indeed, the terraces are part of an emerging trend but are still rarely found in American airports \u2014 space available to the public, where visitors and travelers can enjoy the outdoors. Most outdoor spaces in airports are part of airline clubs and are exclusive to lounge members, premium cabin passengers or those who purchase lounge access.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the pre-security terraces pay homage to the earlier days of airline travel, when airports were destinations in themselves and people routinely visited the hubs to watch aircraft arrive and depart.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n