Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) Flights & Information

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is compact and pretty simple in layout. It has 1 main building (often called the “landside terminal”) for drop-off, check-in, baggage claim and pick-up. This is connected via underground shuttle train to a compact satellite building (often called the “airside terminal”) with all the gates in an efficient X layout.

Nonstop flights are on offer to and from all major US airline hubs, many other cities in the eastern US, and internationally from London and Reykjavik – some of these are only seasonal, though.

PIT terminal and layout

In its current form, Pittsburgh International Airport is split into 2 main buildings – the airside terminal where you’ll find the airport gates plus most of the shops and restaurants, and the landside terminal where you’ll find everything else. The underground connecting shuttle train takes just a few minutes to make the brief trip between the terminals.

The airport is undergoing a major construction transformation, with an entirely new version of the landside terminal being built between the 2 current buildings. This will combine the 2 parts of the airport experience under one roof, eliminate the need for the shuttle, modernize the airport systems and improve the experience all around. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for construction-related changes and arrive a little earlier than you might otherwise, just in case.

The airside terminal is laid out like a big X, with each spoke of the X being a different concourse that extends from the center core area where the tram stops. They’re lettered from A through D, and gate numbers correspond to the concourse in which they’re situated. There are moving walkways to speed you up and down each of the concourses.

Each airline maintains gates in a single concourse, which is really helpful when it comes to finding your way. From the northeast corner of the X, in a clockwise rotation, the concourses and their airline occupants are A – Allegiant, Breeze, Southwest, Sun Country and United; B – Air Canada, Alaska, American, JetBlue, Southern Airways Express and Spirit; C – British Airways and Icelandair; and D – Delta and Frontier.

The airside terminal has 4 levels. These include the mezzanine on level 4 that’s home to the American Airlines Admirals Club lounge, the main departures area on level 3 with all gates, international arrivals on level 2 and the shuttle train on level 1.

The landside terminal is to the west of the airside terminal, and it’s laid out on 3 floors. At the top is ticketing, check-in and departures on level 3, with the transit level below on level 2 and baggage claim on level 1. Short-term parking is immediately to the west of the landside terminal, with the long-term, economy and extended lots further away.

Just to the west of the short-term parking area is the airport’s only on-site hotel, the Hyatt Regency, which is fine if a bit expensive for what you get – you’re really paying for location and to avoid having to jump on a shuttle or grab an Uber to one of the nearby hotels. I think these slightly further hotels generally tend to offer better value in most cases, even with the Ubers.

Arriving in Pittsburgh International Airport

If you’re arriving on a flight from the US, you’ll head down the moving walkways from your concourse to the central core area, then descend to the tram to head into the landside terminal. There you’ll find all the ground transportation you need to get into Pittsburgh itself or further onward to wherever you’re going.

The same goes for flights arriving from Canada, since all Canadian airports offering flights to Pittsburgh feature US border pre-clearance. This means you complete all immigration formalities in Canada before boarding and then arrive in the US as if on a domestic flight.

International flights from other destinations, like London on British Airways or Reykjavik on Icelandair, add the steps of passing through US immigration and customs. Global Entry is available at PIT (and there’s an enrolment center too if you need one), as is the free Mobile Passport Control app-based fast-track.

If you’re checking a bag, try to bring one with good wheels. Like most US airports, luggage carts are not free. You’ll need to pay for one via the Smarte Carte system.

Getting to and from PIT by public transportation

The most budget-friendly option into Pittsburgh is the 28X Airport Flyer bus operated by Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). The bus stops at numerous points in the city as it makes its way between the airport and Robinson Town Center, Carnegie, Downtown, Oakland, Shadyside and North Point Breeze.

It runs twice an hour and takes about 45 minutes between the airport and downtown Pittsburgh, roughly twice as long as an Uber but at a fraction of the cost. Exact change is needed for cash fares, or there’s a ticket vending machine near baggage claim door number 2. Android and iOS users can also use the Ready2Ride and Transit apps to buy tickets. A couple of regional buses are also available.

How to get to and from PIT by car

Both the Uber and Lyft rideshare apps operate at Pittsburgh International Airport and they can be more convenient than taxis. They also offer additional vehicle options, including newer cars like Uber Comfort, luxury vehicles like Uber Premier and larger options like UberXL.

I keep both apps on my phone because their dynamic surge pricing differs and you never know who will be cheaper at a given time. Pickup is at the commercial arrivals curb, just outside baggage claim door number 4.

Numerous taxi, limousine, shuttle service and wheelchair accessible transportation options are also available – check the list of operators with an official permit on the airport website and consider booking in advance. Pittsburgh also has all the major car rental companies, which is useful if you’re heading out into the surrounding area or are staying outside of downtown.

Security at Pittsburgh International Airport

One of the reasons Pittsburgh is building a new terminal is to try to speed up security, which can be very busy, especially in the mornings. If you’re traveling early, you might want to arrive 3 hours ahead of your flight departure time.

The airport website has a live security time tracker, which can be useful in case the alternate screening checkpoint has a shorter wait time. TSA PreCheck is available for most airlines and there’s a CLEAR line for those signed up to that service.

Shopping at the airport

Once you’re past security, you’re best to head straight over to the airside terminal, where most of the better shopping, restaurant and bar options are located. Most of the options are pretty standard fare – this is a Starbucks and Dunkin’ zone – but there are a few gems, especially for beer drinkers.

Concourse A is home to Penn Brewery and Local Craft, which both have some decent brews. If you enjoy the Vino Volo wine bar experience more, there’s one in the center core area and another on Concourse B near Gate B32 – this one can be a little quieter.

Lounges and free Wi-Fi

Pittsburgh International Airport is home to 2 lounges, both in the airside terminal area after security – the Admirals Club from American Airlines and an independent The Club lounge. There’s also a USO lounge on Concourse C near Gate C54 for the use of active duty, reserve, national guard, accompanied families and retired military.

The Admirals Club is upstairs on mezzanine level 4 above the central core and is available to club members as well as some frequent flyers with American and its partner airlines (including British Airways flights departing from PIT). Associated credit card customers can gain access, too. Day passes may also be available – prebook if you’re especially interested.

It’s a pretty modern space with plenty of seating, a small bar area, and what I consider an above-average food offering. I try to grab a seat by the expansive windows when they’re available.

The Club is located just at the entrance of Concourse C right next to the central core. Overall, it’s a bit less polished than the Admirals Club, but it does the job if it’s what you need. It can be used by passengers of any airline who buy their way in or get access as part of a program like Priority Pass. It does tend to get busy at peak times.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. Just look for the FlyPittsburgh network name and you won’t need a password.