Travel Safe at PDX.
The health and safety of travelers and employees is our top priority at the Portland International Airport (PDX). For the last few months, we have been working closely with public health partners to respond to and slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
While PDX is still pretty quiet, we are open and our passenger numbers are rising slowly each week. And we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure the airport is a safe and welcoming place for all when travel picks up again. 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.
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 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 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.
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 at this time.
What Our Partners Are Doing
Please note that ride-shares, taxis, airlines and other airport partners like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have implemented their own guidelines and protocols. Be sure to check in directly with these partners for additional travel tips and rules.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: For any visual learners, 6 feet is about the length of two suitcases. 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 question isn’t answered below, please call or text our customer service team for more details: 503.460.4234.
PDX remains open for your essential travel needs. If you need to fly, CDC has some travel recommendations. Be sure to check with your airline to confirm flight details before heading to PDX.
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 remains open and operational if you need to fly. We will not require documentation proving your travel is essential.
Oregon and Washington state do not require those entering the state to self-quarantine.
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. 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, a number of 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 Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Enrollment Center at PDX has suspended operations until at least September 8.
- Some shops and restaurants remain open at PDX, although their hours may vary.
PDX Restaurants and Shops Open |
| Bambuza |
| Bangkok Xpress |
| Beach Shack |
| Beaches Restaurant |
| 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 |
| Mod Pizza |
| Mo's Seafood |
| Nike |
| Oregonian News |
| Panda Express |
| Pendleton |
| Portland Coffee Roasters |
| Potbelly Sandwiches |
| Real Mother Goose |
| Rich's News |
| Soundbalance |
| Stumptown |
| The Market |
| Tillamook Market |
| Timberline |
| Westward Whiskey |
| Your Northwest Travel Mart |
- Restaurants and Shops Closed Temporarily: Blue Star Donuts, Burgerville, Country Cat, Dragontree Spa, Food Carts – Maruti, Mike's Backyard BBQ and Sumo Sushi, Jackson Shine Co, Johnston & Murphy, Kenny & Zukes, Metalsmiths, Peet's Coffee, Starbucks, Tamale Boy, Tender Loving Empire, The Barbers, Travelex, and Vino Volo.
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.
Due to a decrease in passenger volumes, the B/C security checkpoint will only be open from 5:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If you are traveling outside of those hours, head to the D/E security checkpoint on the north side of the terminal. Don’t worry, we have a concourse connector that will get you to the B or C concourse once you pass through the TSA checkpoint.
PDX is not doing any temperature checks or health screenings at this time. However, some airlines do require them. Check in with your airline about their policies.
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. 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.
We know. Face coverings can be hard to come by right now. If you need to fly, we do have a limited supply of face coverings available to those who either forgot theirs or don’t have one. Check in with any airport operations staff or your airline to get a face covering.
Some passengers are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition. We kindly approach anyone we see who isn’t wearing a face covering and inform them of the requirement. If you have any concerns, you can call or text our customer service team: 503.460.4234.
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 for domestic travel. A few states have quarantine requirements.
People wanting to fly into the state of Alaska need to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Alaska. If travelers cannot get tested before departure, they'll need to get a test in the airport in Alaska or self-quarantine for 14 days. Read more about Alaska’s policy.
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. The U.S.-Canadian border is closed to all non-essential travel at this time.
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 does require passengers to wear face coverings. Also, plan to leave at least 10 additional minutes for your MAX commute. The Portland Airport station on the MAX Red Line is closed from March 29 to August 1. During this time, there will be a free PDX shuttle bus running continuously between the Mt. Hood and Portland Airport stations.