The Transformed PIT Has Arrived: Opening Day Milestones & Farewell to the Old Terminal

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, the transformed Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) opened as the first passengers journeyed through its new terminal.  

The new front door to the region has arrived – a modernized terminal designed by and for the people of Pittsburgh.  

The new terminal replaces an outdated landside terminal designed for an airline and traveler base of the past, one that Pittsburgh has long since closed its doors on in favor of a local passenger community. This transformation marks the start of an enhanced air travel experience to better connect Pittsburgh to the world and the world to Pittsburgh.  

Passengers can expect a faster and more streamlined security experience, quicker baggage delivery, more enhanced and efficient parking options, and expanded shopping and dining choices. The new terminal was also built with Universal Access in mind, ensuring it creates a more welcoming experience for every passenger.  

“I have always believed that Pittsburgh deserved a wonderful front door to a wonderful community,” PIT CEO Christina Cassotis said during a press pool with local media at the new terminal’s Arrivals level Tuesday morning. “And we built it and a lot of people were involved. It is magical and I think what makes it magical is not just the assets of the community, but the people who came together to get it done.

“You can see it and feel it. And I think it’s a chance for everybody to say, ‘Yeah, this is us.’ We don’t need to look back so much. We really can look forward.”

Below, find the most recent milestones of the transformed PIT, and stay tuned for regular live updates on Blue Sky News highlighting all of the exciting firsts from Opening Day. 

Nov. 18, 2025: 5:15 a.m. – New terminal welcomes its first arriving and departing passengers

Just like when the Midfield Terminal opened in 1992, the first inbound passengers to use the new PIT terminal were from a redeye arriving from California.

Travelers aboard United Airlines flight 794 from San Francisco (SFO) became the first arriving passengers to use the new terminal. Upon entering the Arrivals level, the lucky passengers, as well as the flight’s crew, were greeted by Cassotis and a celebration hosted by PIT staff underneath the Alexander Calder mobile hanging from the terminal’s stunning ceiling.

United flight 794’s pilots, Captain William Westfahl and First Officer Kyle Green, said they were notified by Air Traffic Control about an hour out from PIT of the special honor their flight had to be the new terminal’s first arrival. Passengers became excited when they were informed of the news once they landed in Pittsburgh.

“It’s my first time here in Pittsburgh. It’s really nice and everybody’s smiling and happy. Love it,” Green said.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve been here, but I’ve always liked the Pittsburgh airport because there’s so much shopping compared to other airports,” said Westfahl. “I was telling [Kyle Green] on the way in there’s a lot to do here. But now seeing this, it’s supercharged. It’s fantastic.”

The celebration included a “You Have Arrived” photo op backdrop, as well as special PIT-branded wood luggage tags and stickers highlighting the new terminal’s features.

Meanwhile, the Departures level continued to handle more early morning flights, including Southwest Airlines flight 1841 to Denver (DEN) at 5:30 a.m. followed by Southwest flight 518 to Baltimore (BWI) at 5:45 a.m. and American Airlines flight 1399 to Miami (MIA) at 6 a.m.

Nov. 18, 2025: 3 a.m. – First passenger officially arrives at the transformed PIT  

PIT passenger Keith Spruill walked through the doors to the new terminal at approximately 3 a.m., but he had no idea he was becoming the new terminal’s first passenger.  

The Wilkinsburg resident and North Carolina native was headed to Miami, Florida, on JetBlue, and he expected his airport experience to be like any other after booking a last-minute plane ticket the week prior. It was a pleasant surprise when he became the first passenger to walk through the transformed PIT.  

“It’s very aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “I like the lights on top. It gives a nice, relaxed feel.”  

“I can imagine when it gets filled with people, it will be a lot smoother and quicker,” he added. “Having such an open area, a lot of people can easily see their flights.”  

In response to what this terminal says about Pittsburgh, Spruill saw the impact right away.  

“They value their travel,” he said. “It feels nice to ease on through and go straight to your flight.” 

Nov. 18, 2025: 1:45–2 a.m. – ACAA team agrees to begin operating the transformed PIT 

Members of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) staff gathered in one room in the airside terminal to make the decision to bring the transformed PIT to Pittsburgh once and for all. 

A group of representatives from nearly every department across the ACAA sat around a table, sharing their teams’ recommendations on whether it was time to go live and officially open the new terminal. The decision was unanimous as each team member repeated: Our team is ready to go live.  

“I’m proud and happy to say, this airport is ready to open,” said Travis McNichols, ACAA’s Chief Operations Officer. “It is my recommendation and the recommendation of everyone around this table that we transition to the new airport.” 

The decision was met with a thunderous applause from ACAA team members whose work over the past several years has led to this moment 

“In this very early morning before the day fully begins for the rest of the world, we are here at a moment that very few people get to experience in any industry,” said ACAA CEO Christina Cassotis. “Rarely does anyone get the chance to create something that reshapes a community and echoes across a global industry. We got that chance and we took it.   

“Together, all of us have built so much more than an airport. This gateway is going to connect people, possibilities and communities across the world.”  

Then, on the count of three, the team that made Opening Day possible shouted: Go live.  

Nov. 18, 2025: 1–2:30 a.m. – Team members prepare to welcome the first group of passengers to the transformed PIT 

Shortly after the last flight arrived at the old PIT landside terminal, workers prepared to welcome the first group of passengers to the transformed PIT. Roadways began to switch over, routing traffic toward the new terminal and preparing to welcome vehicles to the building. New terminal roadways started to open as the roads to the old landside terminal closed.  

Then, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the PIT train finally took its official last journey and was decommissioned. The transformed PIT terminal replaces the train with the Skybridge, offering a vision of Pittsburgh through lights reflective of the region’s natural beauty. This entry into the renovated Core in the Airside Terminal embodies the experience of exiting the Fort Pitt Bridge, welcoming passengers to the city.  

Nov. 18, 2025: 12:30 a.m.– Passengers arrive at the old Landside Terminal for the last time   

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2025, passengers walked through PIT’s old landside terminal for the last time after arriving on American Airlines flight 1995 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).  

ACAA senior leaders and team members waited at Gate B14 to greet these passengers as they exited their flight. Even in the early hours of the morning, arriving passengers were all smiles.  

For passenger Lauren Hause of Kansas City, becoming a part of Pittsburgh’s airport legacy was a surprise. The first time Steel City visitor would also become one of the last to see the region’s old airport.  

Still, Hause is no stranger to making aviation history. She was also among the first to fly out on Kansas City International Airport’s (MCI) inaugural flight from its new terminal in 2023.  

Another arriving passenger, Todd Wilson, is a born and raised Pittsburgher, but for him, this journey was extra special. Wilson knew the Chief Engineer on the old landside terminal project well. As a frequent flier, being part of PIT’s history was an emotional moment, made all the more so by his anticipation for the new terminal.  

“For us to build a new airport that is architecturally stunning is such an embodiment of Pittsburgh’s legacy,” Wilson said. “We have something that is uniquely Pittsburgh and carries on the best traditions of Pittsburgh’s history.” 

As Hause, Wilson and the dozens of passengers from the American flight boarded the train for the last time, PIT’s old landside terminal officially welcomed its final group of passengers.  

Nov. 17, 2025: 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Honorary last trains to Airside Terminal carry final departing passengers 

Through approximately 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, PIT’s trains transported its final departing passengers from the Landside Terminal to the Airside Terminal. 

The trains’ final departing passengers included those on Allegiant Air flight 975 to St. Petersburg (PIE), British Airways flight 170 to London Heathrow (LHR) and Southern Airways Express flight 157 to DuBois (DUJ). 

Throughout Monday, airport staff and passengers celebrated the trains’ final day of operating at PIT after 33 years of service. 

From 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday, passengers received “Last Day” stickers from airport staff commemorating their final rides on the trains. Additionally, staff from Alstom–the operator of the trains–and the PA. Trolley Museum talked with passengers to capture oral histories of their experiences with the trains. They also hosted a table set up at the Airside train depot featuring “Last Day” train stickers and a sign with factoids of the PIT trains.  

The trains will operate for arriving passengers heading for the Landside Terminal through 2 a.m. when they will be fully deactivated for the final time. 

Nov. 17, 2025: 7:20 p.m. – Last international arrival through existing egress  

International passengers at PIT cleared through the old customs and immigration process for the final time. 

Passengers on British Airways flight 171 from London Heathrow Tuesday night were the last to go through the old Customs and Immigration process in Concourse C before the new setup is activated for the new terminal.  

Beginning Wednesday night with the next British Airways flight from London Heathrow, passengers will egress from customs directly into the new terminal’s arrivals level. 

The new process improves the international arrivals process at PIT by eliminating the outdated system of inbound passengers navigating a series of narrow tunnels to exit customs and the need to cordon off sections of the trains to separate international passengers from domestic transiting to the Landside Terminal. The new connection from customs to the Arrivals level improves wayfinding and reduces the time from exiting international arrivals to reaching the curb by nearly two thirds. 

The new international arrivals setup is part of a major renovation to Concourse C that includes significant upgrades to the international arrivals experience and PIT’s ability to handle larger aircraft.   

Look for more updates throughout Opening Day!