The airport was originally built on Swan Island on the northwest side of the city in 1925. As the facility grew, this location proved too small and was moved to its current location in the mid 1930s. A "Super Airport" opened in 1940 at a cost more than $1.5 million. It featured a larger terminal, state-of-the-art communication system and five separate runways.
In 1948 the Columbia River overflowed its banks, flooding the entire airport. It took several months of repairs before the facility could reopen. Ten years later, a new terminal opened just east of the original runways. After the improvements through the 1950s, the airport received its "international" designation.
The airport continued to grow, leading to expansion of the southern runway by 11,000 feet in 1974. This addition allowed the airport to support Boeing jets. The '80s saw continued renovations to its concourses, especially C and D. A food court was added in the 1990s. A light rail network and a new terminal were added in 2001.
PDX's H shape was completed in 2001 with new A, B and C concourses. The renovated airport featured a distinctive northwest theme that emphasized the nearby Columbia River, which had almost destroyed the airport. An elevated walkway opened in 2005 that connected the ABC concourse with the DE concourse. The walkway offers an easy transition for passengers to reach connecting flights. Visitors can enjoy an unrestricted view of the airfield and a bay window near the center of the Concourse Connector.
Passengers will find ATM machines near the baggage claim area on the ground floor and situated on the departure levels. Postal services, a lost property service and a currency exchange booth are available. More than 20 restaurants and cafes are featured, including Pizzicato, Rose City Wine Bar, Beaverton Bakery, Widmer Pub, Riverfront Café and Stanford's Restaurant. A conference center is available for business travelers, while concourses C and D contain office facilities within their service centers. Several airlines provide VIP lounges, and there is both short-term and long-term parking available, along with valet parking.
