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Pittsburgh International Airport
Rating Details »
Pittsburgh International Airport
Findlay, PA 15289
Findlay, PA 15289
17 reviews for Pittsburgh International Airport
I spent 4 years living in Pittsburgh. I was going to college here. Because I live abroad and flew home twice a year, I must have used this airport at least 8 times. It's a good airport in a great city. How I miss those 4 years in Pittsburgh. They were wonderful growing times, lots of feelings of potential, and lots of promise for a bright future.
*sigh*
I take a lot of flights that depart at 6am. It's usually dark at 6am. It is often difficult to distinguish between dark brown and black at 6am. If I love a pair of shoes in black I will sometimes buy the same pair in brown. You see where this is going, right?? Well, I didn't until I got off the plane in Pittsburgh and realized I was wearing one black and one dark brown shoe.
I'm normally indifferent to the mall-esque nature of airports. Give me a bookstore and a bar and I'm happy. However, I've never been happier to see a 9 West shoe store in my life let alone in the middle of an airport.
I've flown in and out of PIT at least 20 times and this is one of my favorite semi-sizable airports. Security and rental car pick-up and return are a breeze (no shuttle.) Not too far from downtown. Wi-Fi's free, the airport's really clean and there are food options that will not make you wish you hadn't just bought "Fast Food Nation" in the airport bookstore.
I have flown through almost every airport in the US and this one is my fav. Am I biased because it is based in my "hometown"? Yes, probably. But let me spell out the reasons why I like it.
1) The centralized X design of the terminal makes it very easy to get from any get to any other gate. There's no need to get on a bus or to run up and down escalators/stairs.
2) Nice selection of shops and restaurants. If you are waiting on a flight there are places to eat and shop.
3) Rental car locations are directly connected to the airport. There's no need to wait for a bus and then take a 20-minute ride, you can walk right out and get into your car.
4) There is a Hilton connected directly to the airport. Who hasn't been stuck overnight at the airport and forced to scramble to locate a hotel that is close enough that it makes sense.
This is a great airport! Lets start with FREE WIFI...what a great idea.....then add lots of CLEAN bathrooms....then add a decent food court with a good selection, and finally the abilty to walk to the rental cars just outside the terminal.
It is dated decor wise by the AA gates, and security lines can be a bit a long, as is the time from check in to taking the tram to departure.
However, I am almost always on time arriving/departing!!
The X is not confusing.
Once you exit the plane, proceed to the tram that will take you to baggage claim or the exit.
When leaving PIT, check in, board the tram, and go to either area A, B, C, D. The letters represent a section of the terminal, a section of the X.
Once you get the hang of it, this is a simple airport. Easy to navigate and with lots of eatery options. If you want a decent meal, head to the Hyatt...just be prepared to walk.
Yes...the terrible towels were everywhere during the 2009 Superbowl season. Festive Airport for sure.
For your reference: http://en.wikipedia.or...
Despite spending more time than I wanted to - in this airport - I have to admit that Pittsburgh International Airport was up there as being of my preferred airport experiences.
With a slew of flights being canceled, overbooked, or stalled - the staff at this airport did their best to keep their cool. Everything was backed up and hectic, but all of the airport staff, even those at the US Airways counter were as calm as could be, considering the circumstances, and did their best to be as patient as possible with angry tirades against them due to lousy airlines and flight predicaments.
One of the staff working the US Airways counter even nodded his head in agreement as he talked with a gentleman who had been bumped off the same flight as me. He said that even he thought it was poor practice of the airlines to overbook flights to the extent they were doing, and he was getting tired of picking up the pieces throughout the holidays.
Also - when I learned that I would be staying two nights longer than I planned to in Pittsburgh; the free wireless internet throughout much of the airport was perfect for allowing me to reschedule appointments. And since I had no luggage, the airport store selection was ideal for stocking up on late night toiletries, makeup, and even Victoria Secret bras and underwear. Even the food selection was pretty decent here.
So while I didn't necessarily enjoy most of airport time served here due to flight issues, Pittsburgh International Airport - definitely did it's best to make it as pleasant as any airport experience is going to be.
Okay, so I travel a lot. I wish I had an airport like this. I mean, sure it's my hometown airport, but wow, it's still kicking butt in terms of all the airports I've seen.
Note:
1) Free Wi-Fi
2) Go there on its busiest day EVER at its peak time and u *might* wait up to a big 30 minutes - seriously, this place is a tight running ship
3) Decent mall inside (no sales tax on clothing in PA)
4) Ground crew is super quick - I barely ever have to wait on my luggage
5) Say hi to the dinosaur and other history artifacts...I find it interesting
So this place used to be a USAirways Hub, but someone must have screwed something up so it became a secondary hub, then downgraded to be a "focus city". It's a shame, but it makes the airport a lot less congested because there's definitely more terminals than needed.
Okay, did I mention I love it here? I wish the USAirways execs made Pittsburgh the international hub, not Philadelphia. *sigh*
Oh yeah - my new fav: Southwest Airlines flies here..w00t!
Wha? Why is there a Nine West in the airport? Is that a Gap? TGI Fridays? Cheese fries?
A strange collision of chain retailers and flying the friendly skies, the Pittsburgh airport has a smattering of places to entertain yourself during your layover. A bit more entertaining than going into those Hudson News spots that seem to be in every US airport and buying Chex Mix for three dollars.
This midsized airport is easy to get around, and it gets extra credit for the entertainment factor. The architecture is a bit throwback but definitely still functional.
I have had good experiences with this airport. Fast, efficient, quick lines at security, no delays.
I did have a little...I guess you would call it a gaff? I noticed a service outlet of a company that the company I work for had purchased a month before. I was chatting with the manager about the business and how they operate (I'm an operations guy, can't help it) and I mentioned that I thought they were a savvy strategic purchase. This led to lots of questions by the employee. Turns out they hadn't been informed they were sold. Oops. Awkward. Shouldn't these things be communicated down to the troops?
You tell me which other airport has statues of dinosaur skeletons AND Franco Harris?? This airport is definitely one of the best in the country. Here are a few reasons why:
Airport Website: Completely interactive and regularly updated. It even tells you about discount flights and what % of the parking lots are full. Nearly all your questions will always be answered.
Wireless: Not only is it here, it's FREE. Thank you!
Parking: People, there is NO need to pull over on the side of the highway while you wait for arrivals!! Short term parking is only $1 for the first hour - great if you are picking someone up. Extended rates are $6.75/day, and you are still actually leaving your car at the airport (instead of at an off-site location).
Security: One security check point. Yes, during peak travel the line can be long, but the TSA folks do a great job moving everyone through, and are generally pretty nice.
Layout: Passengers transported by shuttle between the security area and the terminals. No long walks, no confusion. There's basically one way in, and one way out, so you never feel like you're moving through the wrong way. Inside are four terminals to choose from and the signs are very clear. There are moving sidewalks to get you down through each terminal.
Mall: You'll find your basic airport food, but they do have some decent selection of shops which help pass the time (Victoria's Secret, Clinique, Eckerd, Sunglasses Hut, etc). There's even a place to get pedicures and massages!
Bathrooms: They do a pretty good job of keeping everything very clean. I still haven't had an "ewww" experience yet.
Baggage claim: Fast and simple. There's never any mystery about which terminal to go to... the areas are permanently split up by airline, and then the signs display the flight numbers.
I wish more airports in the country were as good as this one!!
This airport has so many cool factors. There is only one terminal for all the airlines, which makes things very easy. Signage is excellent throughout. Plenty of restrooms. Staff are pleasant. tourist info offices both airside and landside. Once airside, there is plenty of shopping / eating choices. I just hung out at the Godiva store and had that decadent frozen smoothie thingy!!
There are really some cool shops to walk about. I really loved this airport. Wish I live in PIT!
Best airport ever. (At my favorite city ever, no less.)
Free wi-fi internet, as it SHOULD be.
It has a frickin' mall inside. 'Nuff said. Excellent, friendly people working at each store and restaurant, too.
Easy to get anywhere quickly due to every departure gate pretty much being in one place. Great layout.
And it has a dinosaur skeleton.
Yeah, loving it.
I've been here like three times this year and I'm constantly surprised at how quickly security moves. The only thing I don't like is having to go through security and then having to take the train to the gates. It does come pretty fast though and I guess saves you a long-ass walk. The mall in here is great, has a wide range of shops and "fast food" such as Clinique, Victoria's Secret, Sunglass Hut, Rite Aid, and I usually grab a sandwich from Au Bon Pain and take it on the plane with me.
Bonus: No sales tax on clothing. What more can I say?
If you were passed out for my last airport review, let me emphasize how much I hate airports. Airports stress me out like no other can, solely because, and as Ralph Steadman has so succinctly put it, "Today we are sacks of shit bundled into flying tubes with a security warning secreted inside every orifice." That's my main issue - like, I didn't know that we now have to put all of our little lotions into quart-size freezer bags, so I got an earful from a fellow citizen who has been deemed responsible enough to categorize me as "nonthreatening" or "call in the Feds." Fuckers.
Anyways, security issues aside, Pittsburgh International is it (though I had a bitch of a time finding the business on Yelp!). Here you can observe a T-Rex skeleton, get your picture taken with a Franco Harris statue or William Penn statue (people other than me do this. LOTS of people), or get fat and drunk at any of our fine eateries. I so wanted to write this while eating Spicy Fries at Fat Fridays (and I'm all like, "Whyyy am I getting faaaat?), taking advantage of the FREE FREAKING INTERNET, but I was watching football instead.
I'm pretty sure that this airport was the first to introduce consumerism right until your boarding time ("Mall prices guaranteed"). It seems evil, but Hell! I seem to have forgotten my sexy negligee! Not to worry, there's a Vicky's right here.
They make killing time easy, that Pittsburgh International. Shop, Yelp, or drink. Or all three!!!
Oh, and a word to Pats fans: YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE! Ha, just kidding! But seriously, once you step off your plane, you will lose yourself in a sea of black and gold. Just a warning.
There's nothing more American than putting a mall in the airport.
Because of this and many other reasons, I love Pittsburgh International Airport, and this from someone that doesn't really much like flying U.S. Air, because this is a U.S. Air hub.
Many a time I had to fly through here on my way from John Wayne to Providence, and many a time I enjoyed a Guinness at the TGIF's, or checking out the mall for stuff I ain't got (seriously, who NEEDS to shop at a mall, anyways?).
You never got the idea that you were actually IN Pittsburgh (I hear it's a nice town, but I've never stepped outside of the airport), and the place is like a chair you can stretch out in -- comfortable, but not too bug.
5 stars and an AMEN for free wireless. (and easy to find and procure outlets)
Let's get the bad out of the way... and start with the
CONS:
- Not much going for the waiting area, as far as I could see. When I want to stretch my time out, hanging with the bf before I pass through the security lines, we end up wandering between the two souvenir shops and finally settling down with a quick pastry at the bakery/cafe.
- Not much by way of souvenirs (haha. But who am I kidding. This is Pittsburgh the Steel City. It's the standard shirts, spoons, and shot glasses... because it's mostly about steel, buildings, bridges, Dippy the dyplodicus dinosaur, Heinz, and the Steelers out here).
- There is only ONE public bus transportation that services the airport. There's a stop in every area that has a population of over 100 people at any given time within a 5 mile radius (or so it seems), until you get closer to Downtown Pittsburgh.... over an hour later. Can you believe they actually considered cutting off this ONE and ONLY public bus transportation to the airport last year? (Otherwise, you would have to find somebody who could pick you up, rent a car, call a shuttle, or call a taxi.)
PROS:
- Out of several visits to this airport (10 times in 2 years so far if you count each way), the check-in process has felt pretty hassle-free. I usually don't ever see more than 5 people in line on any of the counters at any given time.... and this isn't a big airport.... yet they can still fill their planes.
- Security lines are pretty reasonable... (although you CAN get an earful if you forget to put something on the belt _-_)
- The building is designed to let a lot of light through... and I very much appreciate it.
- Free wireless internet. Thank you, Pittsburgh. This helps stave off boredom... AND it helps to get those online deals on rentals that you may not get otherwise at the rental counters (ie, To get $60 off our rental, the bf actually had to get online and reserve us a car to claim in 5 minutes, because the girl at the counter said they couldn't give us online offers unless we book it online).
The cons look longer because it's oh so much easier to complain.
