Pittsburgh International Airport’s dedication to driving innovation landed it on a prestigious shortlist in the recent Future Travel Experience Global Awards.

The annual gala, held each year in Las Vegas, celebrates airports, airlines and other members of the aviation industry from around the globe dedicated to improving the passenger experience both on the ground and in the air.

PIT’s new sensory room and collaboration on an app for vision-impaired passengers placed the airport among the finalists for the Accessibility Leadership Award, which “recognizes the airline or airport that has displayed the greatest leadership in making air travel more accessible for travelers with additional needs.”

Other finalists included Virgin Atlantic Airways (the winner in 2018), United Airlines, Edinburgh Airport and Japan Airlines, which won the award for a program that deploys sign language interpreters as part of its customer service team.

“Making air travel accessible to everyone is a critical mission for Pittsburgh International Airport and, really, the entire aviation industry,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “We’re proud that Presley’s Place and the NavCog app were nominated as inspiring examples for other airports, and it’s an honor to be recognized alongside other innovative leaders.”

Cassotis also spoke at the event as part of a panel examining the future of air travel that included officials from Vancouver International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration and Level Airlines, among others.

CEO Christina Cassotis speaks on a panel at the Future Travel Experience Global Awards event in Las Vegas. (Photo by Katherine Karolick)