Community Open House Gives a Sneak Peek at its New Terminal

Pittsburgh International Airport welcomed thousands of visitors Saturday, Oct. 11, but they didn’t come to the terminal to fly.

The transformed PIT terminal was filled with local residents who signed up for the airport’s Community Open House, which welcomed Pittsburgh to explore its new terminal for the first time. Registration for the event opened in August, with all 10,000 spots filled quickly, signifying Pittsburgh’s excitement for its new terminal. Guests arrived from all over the region and some even traveled from out of state, with visitors from Ohio, West Virginia, Massachusetts and Florida.

“It’s really cool to see that the whole community is coming out to see the upgrades. I just think it shows how important the airport is to the area,” said Madison Hunt, who traveled from Butler. with two of her sisters to see the airport.

The Community Open House celebrated an elevated airport experience – one designed for and by Pittsburgh. PIT’s new state-of-the-art terminal will soon serve as the front door to the region, and its design embodies the hard-working spirit of the community. The Open House was a unique opportunity for the public to experience the terminal before it officially opens its doors for air travel.

“The moment you step off this plane, the airport is telling a story about this community. It’s telling a story about the city of champions. And it’s time for the rest of us to change the way we champion Pittsburgh,” said Christina Cassotis, PIT CEO.

The Community Open House, which took place from noon to 7 p.m., directly followed the new terminal Ribbon Cutting, where local elected officials and community leaders spoke on the new terminal’s impact. The Ribbon Cutting symbolized the beginning of a new era at PIT and made for a fitting start to a day where the community had the chance to see that new era coming to life.

PIT’s Community Open House is part of a series of events at the new PIT terminal, including a Public Trial, where community members simulated flying through the new terminal for the first time.

Community thrives at the new PIT

During the Community Open House, guests were given a printed map that contained facts and key aspects of the new terminal, including information on the terminal’s unique design – which was inspired by the beauty of the Pittsburgh region – artwork, primarily from local Pittsburgh artists and artisans, and improved functionality. Community Open House attendees could then use the map to go on self-guided tours of the space.

PIT partnered with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to include hands-on activities inspired by the terminal, and in turn, the region’s landscape. The Community Open House Activity Stations, courtesy of PNC, offered opportunities for children to create artwork and play games inspired by the new terminal.

In addition, PIT worked with the Kamin Science Center to provide hands-on activation stations for guests to play the role of an airport employee and learn more about what it’s like to work at the terminal. Community Open House parking was provided courtesy of F.N.B.

Guests also got the chance to see some of PIT’s ongoing concessions expansion in action, including Cafe Conmigo’s storefront. The local coffee shop recently opened its airside location at PIT and will have another shop on the arrivals level of the new terminal.

“It’s exciting,” said Prachi Jain, who attended Community Open House with her husband and two children. “Cafe Conmigo is one of our favorites. We have one close to our house, so we were excited to see it here.”

Anticipation builds for the transformed PIT

The transformed PIT will open to the public this fall, with an official opening day to be announced soon. Future travelers expressed how excited they are to experience the new PIT and see the ways it is improving air travel with their own eyes.

“Not only is it going be more efficient, but it’s so expansive,” said Jamie Levopitz of Mt. Lebanon. “It’s really impressive, and there is so much more space. I know it will help move things more smoothly. It’s definitely a ‘wow’ factor.”

The new terminal is designed to celebrate the people who will use it most – from airport team members to frequent fliers to native Pittsburghers. The airport is a tribute to Pittsburgh’s legacy of hard work and close-knit community.

“My big thing is you go big or go home, and that’s what this is,” said Community Open House guest Bob Rittick. As a native Pittsburgher and former airport employee at both Greater PIT and the current PIT airport, he was thrilled to see the revamped airport space.

“This really brings the city to another level.”