
Travel Safe at PDX.
The health and safety of travelers and employees is our top priority at the Portland International Airport (PDX). We have been working closely with public health partners to respond to and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and make sure the airport is a safe and welcoming place for all. When you’re ready to fly, the airport might look a little different than your last journey. Here is what you can expect the next time you come to PDX.
Oregon Travel Advisory
On Nov. 13, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a new travel advisory, which recommends that anyone arriving in Oregon from other states or countries, including returning Oregon residents, should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel, such as work or medical care.
I’m flying into PDX. Do I need to quarantine?
The travel advisory recommends that you self-quarantine for 14 days.
I have more questions about the travel advisory. Who can I contact?
We recommend contacting the Oregon Health Authority.
What’s considered essential travel?
According to the travel advisory, “Essential travel” includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security. “Non-essential travel” includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.
What We Are Doing For You

We have new rules and guidelines to help you travel safe.
Face coverings required: Face coverings are required at PDX, except for children under the age of 2 and people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering. Face coverings should cover your nose and mouth. Many people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, which means they can unknowingly transmit it to others. If we all wear cloth face coverings, we’ll slow the spread and save lives. Don’t worry, we can still see you smile underneath the mask.
Picking someone up? If you are picking up a passenger, wait for them outside. We’re limiting the number of people inside the terminal to minimize congestion. We know some travelers need a little assistance getting on their way. If that’s the case, you are welcome to step inside and give them the help they need.

More cleaning: We've increased cleaning in our high-touch areas – like the escalator and moving walkway handrails, food court tables, and bathrooms. Our handrails are being cleaned 8 times a day, and that number will increase when travel picks up even further. We continue to disinfect these areas with hospital-grade cleaning products.
In recognition of these cleaning protocols, PDX became an accredited airport under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation program.
Clean air filtration: Our airport has a robust, multi-stage filtration system that brings the clean outside air to the terminal and filters the most dangerous particles out.
More hand sanitizers: We already had more than 50 hand sanitizer stations located throughout PDX. We added 35 more stations that dispense hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. For your benefit, the TSA also is allowing one 12 ounce hand sanitizer container per passenger.
What Our Partners Are Doing
Airline Protocols: All airlines that fly out of PDX require face coverings, including during your flight. Airlines have also increased cleaning between flights and have air filtration systems designed to keep you safe. A Harvard University study released in October found that ventilation systems on planes filter out 99% of airborne viruses. Harvard's researchers also highlight masks as a critical part of keeping travelers healthy, along with enhanced cleaning and passengers' self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
What You Can Do to Help
It only works if we all do it. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others.
Stay 6 feet apart whenever possible: To help you keep your distance from others, we rearranged gathering spaces, like our food court areas. We also installed “sneeze guards,” which provide extra space between you and airport employees.
Go touchless where you can: You can check into your flight online and download the boarding pass to your phone. And don’t forget your water bottle…you can refill it at any of our touchless refill stations located near most restrooms.
Monitor your health: You know your bodies better than anyone. If you are feeling sick, please stay home and rebook that flight. We hope you feel well again soon.

Wash your hands: Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to avoid getting sick. So when you pass a restroom at PDX, step inside and sing a little tune as your scrub your hands and fingers for at least 20 seconds.
Taking care takes time. That’s why we recommend you give yourself a little extra time the next time you’re flying out of PDX. As always, we’ll do our best to get you on your way as quickly and as safely as we can!
Answering your questions
We know the local, national and global travel restrictions in place can be confusing. Below are some of the most frequent questions we are hearing about air travel. If your air travel question isn’t answered below, please call or text our customer service team for more details: 503.460.4234.For public health questions, please contact the Oregon Health Authority or Multnomah County Public Health.
On Nov. 13, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown – along with the governors of Washington and California – announced a new travel advisory. The advisory recommends that anyone arriving in Oregon from other states or countries, including returning Oregon residents, should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel, such as work.
Some states, including Hawaii and Alaska, require a negative COVID-19 test. Please check in with your airline on any state requirements as you're booking your flight.
In addition, starting January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require pre-departure testing of all passengers on flights into the United States. Airlines will be required to verify that each passenger over the age of 2 provides a negative COVID-19 test result, conducted within 3 calendar days prior to departure. Read more on the CDC website. If you plan to fly into PDX from another country, we recommend contacting your airline to find the best testing partner.
We’ve taken a number of steps at PDX to help you travel safe. Scroll up to read more about these new protocols and guidelines. On January 11, 2021, in recognition of these health and safety protocols, PDX became an accredited airport under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation program.
If you are thinking about flying, take a look through the CDC website, which outlines the questions you should consider before making any travel plans. And here is what Multnomah County – where PDX is based – recommends.
While the airport remains open and operational, some shops, restaurants and airport services remain closed.
- The Alaska Airlines Club Lounge re-opened on August 1. All other PDX airline lounges are closed at this time.
- All children’s play areas are closed.
- The USO Center is closed for at least 4 weeks starting Nov. 17.
- The Travel Oregon Welcome Center is open and ready to answer your questions.
SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
- Most shops and restaurants are open at PDX, although their hours may vary.
- Restaurants are grab-and-go only at the moment. No sit-down dining is allowed.
- Retail shops have a max 50% capacity limit right now.
PDX Restaurants and Shops Open |
Bambuza |
Bangkok Xpress |
Beach Shack |
Beaches Restaurant |
Burgerville |
Café Yumm! |
Calliope |
Capers Cafe |
Capers Farm to Table Market |
ccMcKenzie |
Columbia |
Deschutes Brewery |
Flying Elephants Deli |
Henry's Tavern |
Hissho Sushi |
Hopworks Urban Brewery |
Jamba |
Kiehls |
Made in Oregon |
McDonald's |
Mike's Backyard BBQ |
Mod Pizza |
Mo's Seafood |
Nike |
Oregonian News |
Panda Express |
Pendleton |
Portland Coffee Roasters |
Potbelly Sandwiches |
Real Mother Goose |
Rich's News |
Soundbalance |
Stumptown |
Sumo Sushi |
Tender Loving Empire |
The Market |
Tillamook Market |
Timberline |
Vino Volo |
Westward Whiskey |
Your Northwest Travel Mart |
- Restaurants and Shops Closed Temporarily: Blue Star Donuts, Country Cat, Dragontree Spa, Jackson Shine Co, Johnston & Murphy, Kenny & Zukes, Maruti Food Cart, Metalsmiths, Peet's Coffee, Starbucks, Tamale Boy, and The Barbers.
PDX is not doing any temperature checks or health screenings at this time. However, some airlines do require them. Check with your airline about their policies.
Alongside public health partners, PDX is exploring the possibility of offering COVID-19 testing on-site. Nothing has been decided at this time.
Alaska Airlines passengers can get tested at PDX. Alaska offers rapid testing at a pop-up facility along the upper roadway at PDX. Please note: this service is only available to Alaska travelers. Learn more at the Alaska Airlines website.
Testing Options - Air Travel
The State of Hawaii is accepting test results from trusted testing partners. Explore the table below to see a few of the testing sites recommended in Oregon and Southwest Washington. These locations will test asymptomatic people who are planning to travel.
Recommended Testing Locations |
AFC Urgent Care Portland Test options:
|
Carbon Health $135
|
Costco.com $139.99
|
Go Health (Legacy Urgent Care) $165-$190
|
Kaiser Permanente - for members only
No cost for Kaiser members
|
Kashi Labs $119 + $12.95 Physician Fee
Schedule an appointment today at Kashilab.com |
Quest Diagnostics $119
Find the best option for you on the Quest Diagnostics website. |
Vault Health $119
Explore your options at www.vaulthealth.com/covid. |
Walgreen's (approved locations listed) No cost with insurance Rapid Point of Care Test
RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel Test
|
Yes, face coverings are required at PDX except for children under the age of 2 and people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing one. A face covering must cover your nose and mouth. Many people with coronavirus don’t have any symptoms, which means they can unknowingly transmit it to others. If we all wear cloth face coverings, we’ll slow the spread and save lives. Don’t worry, we can still see you smile.
Yes, we have face coverings available to those who either forgot theirs or don’t have one. Check with any airport operations staff or your airline to get a free mask.
If you have any concerns, you can call or text our customer service team: 503.460.4234.
Everyone’s situation is different. Please consult with your doctor or local health authority to get their advice. If you are currently feeling sick, explore this CDC website for advice on how you can protect yourself and others.
The TSA and Customs & Border Protection oversee screening for passengers at PDX and all U.S. airports. The TSA implemented changes to the security screening process to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Get all your questions about screening at TSA checkpoints answered here.
While some have been referencing “essential” travel, all air travel is allowed in the U.S. at this time. Ultimately, choosing to fly is a decision for each person based on your needs and level of comfort. PDX will not require documentation proving your travel is essential.
On Nov. 13, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown – along with the governors of Washington and California – announced a new travel advisory. The advisory recommends that anyone arriving in Oregon from other states or countries, including returning Oregon residents, should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel, such as work. According to the travel advisory, “Essential travel” includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security. “Non-essential travel” includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.
Your airline is the best resource for questions about your reservation. You can find airline contact information here on our website. We understand there can be long hold times on the phone to speak with a representative, and that can be frustrating. Fortunately, many airlines are allowing travelers to submit changes online.
There is no federal restriction on domestic travel. However, a few states have testing or quarantine requirements.
People wanting to fly into the state of Hawaii, Alaska and New York need to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. If travelers cannot get tested before departure, they'll need to quarantine for 14 days.
While the U.S.-Canadian border is closed to all non-essential land travel at this time, PDX currently has flights to Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Puerta Vallarta in Mexico, along with Vancouver, B.C.
If you are curious about what kind of international travel restrictions are in place, you can start with websites from the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control.
In addition, starting January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require pre-departure testing of all passengers on flights into the United States. Airlines will be required to verify that each passenger over the age of 2 provides a negative COVID-19 test result, conducted within 3 calendar days prior to departure. Read more on the CDC website. If you plan to fly into PDX from another country, we recommend contacting your airline to find the best testing partner.
The Blue Economy Lot located off NE Airport Way and our short-term and long-term parking garages remain open. The Red Economy Lot is closed and the Gold Key Valet has temporarily suspended service at PDX.
Yes. TriMet’s MAX train continues to operate. TriMet requires passengers to wear face coverings. Also, plan to leave at least 10 additional minutes for your MAX commute, as the Portland Airport station on the MAX Red Line is closed from Aug. 30, 2020, to Feb. 27, 2021. During this time, there will be a free PDX shuttle bus running continuously between the Mt. Hood and Portland Airport stations.