Wednesday, August 14, 2024
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Alaska Airlines is proud to join Portland International Airport in celebrating the grand opening of its stunningly redesigned terminal today. This state-of-the-art facility, years in the making, represents a significant milestone. In addition to this grand opening, Portland will be the first location for our cutting-edge technology and advanced processes designed to revolutionize the airport experience. Our new system will provide a smoother travel experience, allowing guests to move through the lobby and security in less than five minutes.
“As our second largest hub, Portland is an integral part of Alaska’s future. Our close collaboration and joint investment with the Port of Portland in this new world-class terminal underscores our focus on enhancing our guests’ travel options,” said Shane JonesSenior Vice President of Fleet, Revenue Products and Real Estate at Alaska Airlines.
“Nearly 90% of our passengers now check in before arriving at the airport, so we’ve introduced our lobby experience of the future in Portland. It simplifies baggage drop-off and quickly guides guests through the lobby so they can enjoy everything the new terminal has to offer,” said Charu JainSenior Vice President of Innovation and Merchandising at Alaska Airlines.
We’re showcasing the latest technological innovations designed to give our guests more control over their travel experience. It starts with our streamlined bag drop process. Our custom-designed, Apple iPad-powered bag tag stations allow travelers to quickly print bag tags by simply scanning their mobile boarding pass. In partnership with Embross, a pioneer in self-service technology, we’re offering automated bag drop stations that effortlessly process checked baggage. These stations securely verify travelers’ identities using their government-issued IDs, eliminating the need to wait in line for assistance.
“The PDX baggage handling experience leverages some of the latest innovations in computer vision to deliver the convenience and efficiency of automated baggage handling while ensuring user safety and compliance with TSA ID screening requirements,” said Myles TzelepisTechnical Director at Embross.
The comfort of our guests is our top priority. Our dedicated customer service representatives, known for their exceptional assistance, are available in the lobby to resolve any issues and assist those who need assistance with checking in their luggage.
“The new PDX was designed to offer everything travelers love about our airport,” said Daniel PippengerChief Aviation Officer at the Port of Portland. “Our partners at Alaska Airlines understood this vision from the beginning and helped us build a new main terminal that both enhances the travel experience and celebrates our region.”
We’ve been proud to be Portland’s premier airline for over 20 years, and our growth continues. Alaska and Horizon Air have expanded their flights by 17% from 2023 to 2024, offering 110 daily flights to 55 nonstop destinations from PDX at peak times. Of those destinations, 29 are served exclusively by Alaska, connecting smaller cities and towns. We recently launched new nonstop routes to Miami and Nashville, and plan to launch flights to Atlanta and New Orleans in the near future.
Exciting developments are coming for our guests at PDX. Our upcoming lounge, scheduled to open in 2026, will offer over 12,000 square feet of space with a modern Pacific Northwest aesthetic. The new lounge will feature a barista station, cozy fireplace area, and stunning views of the new terminal.
