New Terminal Public Trial Date Set for Sept. 20

Pittsburgh International Airport’s first test is set.

CEO Christina Cassotis announced on Wednesday that the new terminal public trial, designed to uncover any challenges and test processes will be held Saturday, Sept. 20.

In late June, the Allegheny County Airport Authority began seeking volunteers to participate in the trial, asking individuals to sign up through an expression of interest form to get more information once the date of the trial was announced. Over 18,000 people added their names to that list. Emails with information on how to register for the Sept. 20 trial were sent today to those individuals. They will have until Friday, Aug. 15 to apply to participate.

“Over the last 10 years as Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has transformed, Pittsburgh has always stepped up and showed up,” said Cassotis. “Pittsburgh is very unique in that it has one of the largest meeter and greeter markets, as well as some of the most engaged and passionate community members who have always shown up to support the airport. The sheer volume of people who signed up reflects that energy and excitement about PIT and the work that we’re doing here.”

In the first 24 hours of sign-ups, nearly 10,000 people indicated that they’d be interested in participating. Now that the date of the trial has been announced, those individuals have been invited to complete a registration form that will result in approximately 2,000-2,500 people who will participate.

As part of the transition in opening the new terminal, ACAA hired industry consultant Daniel Bryan, who is leading the work to develop the trials. Well known in the industry for planning and executing public trials across the world, Bryan has worked with airports such as Dubai International Airport, airlines such as Delta and aviation authorities. At PIT, he is the lead of the ACAA Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) team that has been charged with ensuring that ACAA team members are prepared to run the airport smoothly before opening day.

Having so many people interested is a good problem to have, he said.

“I’ve been responsible for trials across the world, in airports big and small, and have never seen a community show up like this one. We had hoped to get 3,000-4,000 volunteers through the expression of interest, in the hopes that 2,000-2,500 would be able to participate on the actual trial date. The response was more than we anticipated. Thank you, Pittsburgh!”

Bryan is overseeing the team responsible for selecting volunteers that can best replicate what a typical day at the airport looks and feels like. On any given day, there may be leisure travelers, families with children, international students, tech/business travelers, or travelers who may need some type of special assistance.

From the information contained in the registration, participants will be selected who represent travelers but also range in ages, abilities, and group types (individuals, couples, families). A diverse group of participants means a robust and varied trial and input on experiences.

PIT is one of very few airports in the world, and the first in the United States, with an Experience & Design team. Its members are focused not just on physical space, but are also thinking about the services, wayfinding, sound and sights, and every potential touchpoint for passengers. They’re excited to get feedback from the trial to hear how volunteers respond to the work that’s been done to create a passenger-centric airport that responds to passenger needs.

“Over the last few years, we’ve conducted research to understand passengers’ current experience and make it better,” said Siri Betts-Sonstegard, Senior Vice President of Experience & Design at ACAA. “That means better wayfinding that provides travelers with the right information at the right moments, providing support with the unexpected, and ensuring that passengers have comfortable transitions and waiting. We’re excited to listen to these volunteers and gain their feedback so that we can fine tune our processes and elevate the passenger experience.”

PIT’s modernization is now 92 percent complete. Recent milestones have included the completion of interior high ceilings and exterior ceiling installation. Pittsburghers no longer need to wonder what the airport will look like as they can see its future.

Pittsburgher Andy Warhol once said, “The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.” There’s an excitement in the air at PIT and beyond as the airport built for Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh gets closer to opening day this fall.