100 Days In: Concessions Revamp Nearly Complete

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series documenting the first 100 days of the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. Subsequent stories will appear in the coming weeks in Blue Sky News. Click here to read Part One.

Beyond the faster baggage claim, streamlined security experience and vastly improved international arrivals at the new Pittsburgh International Airport, some of the most basic improvements are new and improved shopping and dining options.

Prior to the opening, PIT announced the expansion of 20 new stores and restaurants with a mix of local and national brands as part of the new terminal program. Although many opened prior to the new terminal opening day on Nov. 18, more have opened since.

One of the new concessions is Café Conmigo, which literally opened the minute the new terminal opened. Since then, owner Derek Davies has become part of the airport community along with his regular customers from Wexford and Cranberry shops. He has since added new regulars including frequent travelers, pilots, flight attendants, airline crews and airport employees that were among his customers.

“When I arrived around 3:30 a.m. (on opening day), I got to our unit and (ACAA CEO) Christina Cassotis was at the coffee bar treating all those that helped open the terminal to coffee and celebrating the opening,” Davies said. “Then we saw the first people come through and serve the first pilots coffee. We then had (KDKA radio morning host) Larry Richert and Rich Fitzgerald live-streaming in our space with other media reporting the day’s events.

“It was such an honor to be a very small part of the terminal opening and getting to witness such an amazing achievement and once in a lifetime experience.”

Joining Café Conmigo since November are six new airside restaurants. They include local favorite Mineo’s Pizza House and five other new dining concepts. They include a curated mix of local favorite Convive Coffee Roasters, nationally recognized Shake Shack and three SSP America boutique brands—Stack & Press, Mi Casa Cantina and Bag Egg Breakfast Bar.

As the terminal has changed to meet the needs of today’s market, the concessions program has also evolved. Instead of transferring at PIT, most passengers now begin or end their trips there, with departing passengers often arriving at the airport at least two hours before their flights.

“That means travelers have more time to shop, drink and dine here,” said Bryan Dietz, Senior Vice President of Air Service and Commercial Development at PIT, with some passengers arriving as early as 4 a.m. to catch a flight. “The whole life cycle of this airport has changed. And that means we have had to change our program as well.”

Another welcomed new addition is the opening of the Kids Play Area in Concourse C. Designed to welcome children of all abilities; the space goes beyond a traditional play area by emphasizing inclusion, comfort and ease of use for families with diverse needs. From accessible pathways and thoughtfully selected play elements to intuitive layouts that reduce sensory overload, the area reflects PIT’s commitment to prioritize comfort, convenience and be welcoming to travelers of all ages.

Also coinciding with the new terminal opening, PIT has announced new routes and destinations since the opening, highlighted by the addition of Aer Lingus to Dublin beginning May 25.

Additional routes include United Airlines nonstop to Los Angeles and Breeze Airways adding seasonal flights to Louisville and Myrtle Beach.

And there is more to come. Four outdoor terraces (two pre- and two post-security) are on track to open this spring. Another pre-security food option will also open soon, the Camden Food Company. There will also be the art installation of Patrick Marold’s Open Columns.

The outdoor terraces are relatively uncommon in U.S. airports — most airport terminals are fully enclosed spaces. These terraces are intended to provide open-air spaces where travelers can relax, enjoy fresh air and take a break from the indoor airport environment.

And because some are pre-security, people waiting for flights (or meeting passengers on them) can use these spaces.

Camden Food Company brings a balanced approach to traveler’s dining choices, providing an airside marketplace filled with healthy options alongside indulgent yet affordably priced treats. From fresh, gourmet salads, artisan sandwiches and a wide range of hot and cold drink options, to nutrient-dense snacks and freshly baked treats to grab-and-go, there’s something for every taste and dietary preference.

Patrick Marold’s Open Columns is a major public art commission being created for the new terminal. The work consists of a series of tall outdoor steel cylinders — about 20 to 40 feet in height — that are arranged along pedestrian walkways around the airport’s new multimodal complex.

The form of these cylinders intentionally evokes the smokestacks of Pittsburgh’s steelmaking heritage, referencing the region’s industrial history in a way that connects past and present. It’s designed not just as visual art but as an experience that helps link the airport environment to Pittsburgh’s cultural identity and landscape.

From the beginning, airport officials promised to create a world-class, passenger-centered experience—one that is easier, smarter and more connected.

It has been a promise kept.