Oregon Airports: Complete Guide to Flying in Oregon (2024)

Oregon has 7 commercial service airports offering scheduled passenger flights. The four major commercial airports are Portland International (PDX) with 17.5 million passengers, Eugene Airport (EUG) with 1.68 million passengers, Rogue Valley International-Medford (MFR) with 1.03 million passengers, and Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) with 890,878 passengers. These four airports handled over 20 million passengers combined in 2024. Three smaller regional airports also offer limited commercial service: Southwest Oregon Regional in North Bend (OTH) serving the coast and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Eastern Oregon Regional at Pendleton (PDT) with Essential Air Service to Portland, and Crater Lake-Klamath Regional in Klamath Falls (LMT), a joint-use public/military facility. In addition to commercial airports, Oregon has 98 public-use airports total, including 28 state-owned facilities operated by the Oregon Department of Aviation.

Portland International Airport offers nonstop flights to 11 international destinations spanning four continents. European destinations include Amsterdam (KLM with 58 annual flights), Frankfurt (Condor - the longest route from PDX at 10h 20m), London Heathrow (British Airways at 9h 45m), and Reykjavik (Icelandair at 7h 15m). Asian service includes Tokyo, Japan via ANA and JAL. Canadian destinations include Vancouver BC, Calgary AB (WestJet with 596 annual flights), and Toronto ON (Air Canada). Mexican destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Cancun, served by Alaska Airlines and Volaris. Volaris operates 914 annual flights with 169,676 seats to Mexico. In 2024, international airlines operating from PDX included Alaska (1,266 international flights with 169,166 seats), Volaris (914 flights), KLM (58 flights), WestJet (596 flights), and British Airways. The 2024 terminal expansion enables PDX to increase international service in coming years.

Four Oregon airports offer TSA PreCheck expedited security screening: Portland International (PDX), Eugene Airport (EUG), Rogue Valley International-Medford (MFR), and Southwest Oregon Regional (OTH). PDX offers the most comprehensive TSA PreCheck services with on-site enrollment available Monday-Friday from 5am-1pm at Gate E2, located just past the North Security Checkpoint. IDEMIA's enrollment ambassadors are stationed in easy-to-spot uniforms with specially equipped carts, offering enrollment to ticketed travelers with no appointment required. PDX has TSA PreCheck lanes at all terminals including A/B/C, D/E, and the international FIS checkpoint. Eugene Airport has TSA PreCheck screening available with enrollment through IdentoGO centers in Eugene. Medford and North Bend airports also offer PreCheck screening. Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) currently only offers screening without on-site enrollment. To enroll, travelers need a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate), with fees of $78-$85 for a 5-year membership. Additional enrollment centers exist at 10350 N. Vancouver Way in Portland, 9013 NE Highway 99 in Vancouver WA, and at Office Depot and Staples locations throughout the Portland metro area.

The PDX carpet is an iconic teal and geometric-patterned carpet that became a Portland cultural phenomenon and unexpected social media sensation. Designed by SRG Partnership in 1987 and installed in the early 1990s, the carpet featured geometric shapes representing the intersection of PDX's runways as seen from the control tower at night. The carpet achieved cult status with over 20,000 Instagram posts using the hashtag pdxcarpet, and its pattern appeared on merchandise including bicycle helmets, socks, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and even Portland Trail Blazers uniforms. The original carpet was removed in 2015 during a $13 million replacement, prompting PDX Carpet Fest and the carpet's designation as grand marshal of the Portland Rose Festival parade. Pieces of the original carpet were sold for charity and distributed to local artists. Due to overwhelming public demand and outcry from devoted fans, the iconic carpet triumphantly returned to the airport when the newly renovated terminal opened on August 15, 2024. The beloved pattern now appears in 5 different spots throughout the main terminal, ensuring that future generations can continue the tradition of taking carpet selfies. The carpet's fame helped establish PDX's reputation as one of America's most beloved and distinctive airports.

Parking rates vary significantly by airport and lot type. At Portland International Airport (PDX), economy parking costs $3 for the first hour with a maximum of $12 per 24 hours, and travelers staying a full week receive the seventh day free. Long-term parking at PDX is $24 per day, short-term garage parking costs $3 per hour up to $35 per 24 hours, and valet parking runs $10 per hour or $35 per day. PDX also offers discounted disabled parking at $12 per day and a free cell phone waiting lot (vehicles must not be left unattended). PDX accepts cash, debit cards, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Eugene Airport (EUG) offers the first 15 minutes free in the short-term lot, then charges $2 per 30 minutes with a $27 lost ticket fee. Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) offers both short-term and long-term parking starting at $10 per day, with high-speed electric vehicle charging stations available near the terminal. MFR does not offer valet service, covered parking, or advance reservations, but accessible parking spaces are available in both lots. For current rates and special promotions, visitors should check each airport's official website as rates are subject to change and special deals may be available during certain periods.

Alaska Airlines dominates Portland International Airport operations, operating approximately 745 scheduled flights per week - about 5 times as many flights as the second-largest airline. Alaska serves as PDX's primary hub carrier, offering extensive domestic routes throughout the western United States plus significant international service. In 2024, Alaska operated 1,266 international flights with 169,166 seats to destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada. Southwest Airlines ranks as the second-largest carrier at PDX, offering an extensive domestic route network with its signature no-fee flight change policy and two free checked bags. Delta Air Lines holds third place among PDX carriers, operating the Delta Sky Club lounge between gates D5 and D7 and offering strong connections to major US hubs plus international destinations. Together, these three carriers handle the majority of PDX's 6,494 monthly flights (1,512 weekly flights) to 82 destinations. Alaska's dominance at PDX reflects the airline's Pacific Northwest focus, with PDX serving as one of Alaska's major operational hubs alongside Seattle. The airline continues expanding its route network with new destinations and increased frequencies, solidifying PDX's position as a key connecting point for western US and international travel.

Oregon offers numerous high-quality flight schools at airports throughout the state. In the Portland metro area, Hillsboro Airport (HIO) hosts NW Wings Aviation offering professional flight training from private pilot through advanced ratings. Aurora State Airport (UAO) is home to Willamette Aviation, founded in 1996 and offering comprehensive training programs, as well as Aurora Flight Training, which provides accelerated training including a Professional Pilot Pathway program costing approximately $76,000 over 12-15 months leading to commercial certification and CFI ratings. Eugene Airport (EUG) hosts the Lane Aviation Academy, a division of Lane Community College offering FAA Part 61 and Part 141 flight training, commercial pilot programs, and aircraft maintenance technician programs - one of the few community colleges nationwide that independently own and operate their own flight line and maintenance facility. Albany Municipal Airport (S12) is home to Infinite Air Center offering both Part 61 and Part 141 curriculum for recreational through professional pilots. Pureflight Aviation operates locations in Newberg and Klamath Falls offering both helicopter and airplane training, accepting student loans and VA funding for qualified veterans. Grants Pass Airport (3S8) hosts Pacific Aviation Northwest flight school. Becoming a private pilot typically costs $17,000-$20,000 for the full training program and takes six months to a year depending on aircraft choice, personal progress, weather conditions, and available time commitment.

Portland Airport's new main terminal, which opened August 14, 2024, features 23 locally-owned shops and restaurants - every single one is a Portland brand, with no national chains. This commitment to local businesses sets PDX apart from other airports nationwide. Popular dining options include Screen Door Restaurant serving legendary fried chicken and waffles on Concourse B, Sizzle Pie offering hot crisp-edged pizza slices, Oven and Shaker for wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, Burgerville at Gate D4 for Pacific Northwest burgers and shakes made with local ingredients, Deschutes Brewery at Gate D5 for craft beer and pub food, Mo's Seafood & Chowder at Gate C7 famous for hearty New England-style chowder, and Bamboo Sushi for sustainable sushi. Beverage options include Good Coffee serving Portland-roasted beans and pastries, Steven Smith Teamaker for tea tastings and sales, and Straightaway Cocktails craft cocktail tasting room. PDX even features a hidden speakeasy bar called Aurora tucked inside Loyal Legion. Shopping includes the triumphant return of Powell's Books (Portland's world-famous independent bookstore), Pendleton offering iconic wool clothing and gifts, Columbia Sportswear for outdoor apparel and gear, Portland Gear for locally printed apparel celebrating Portland culture, Blue Star Donuts for gourmet donuts, and Made in Oregon for local products. Five shops operate pre-security with 16 post-security. Remarkably, half of the businesses involve woman or minority ownership. PDX maintains the same prices as outside the airport with no sales tax, and the terminal includes permanent art installations, a children's play area in Concourse E, and the famous PDX carpet in 5 locations.

Oregon airports have made exceptional commitments to environmental sustainability, with Portland International leading nationally in green airport design. PDX's new one-million-square-foot main terminal features a breathtaking 9-acre mass timber roof constructed from sustainable Douglas fir, making it one of the largest mass timber structures in the world and the largest mass timber airport in North America. All 3.5 million board feet of wood for the roof, concessions, flooring, and feature walls was sourced within a 300-mile radius of the airport from small family-owned forests, non-profits, and tribal nations. This construction method achieved a 70% reduction in embodied carbon compared to building an entirely new terminal. The terminal achieves a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot through a highly efficient all-electric ground-source heat pump system, and resilient design strategies enable the structure to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The building incorporates 5,000+ living plants throughout the terminal, extensive skylights for natural lighting, and two 120-foot video walls featuring Northwest nature scenes. Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport offers high-speed electric vehicle charging stations conveniently located near the terminal. Oregon airports participate in broader aviation industry sustainability initiatives including the goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 through sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric ground support equipment (which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared to diesel), and Airport Carbon Accreditation programs. The $2 billion PDX project represents the largest public works project in Oregon history and demonstrates that sustainability and passenger experience can coexist beautifully.