With Thanksgiving just weeks away, here are some tips from the Port of Portland that travelers passing through PDX should keep in mind this season.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and that also coincides with the start of the holiday travel season, Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, which is considered one of the busiest times in the world. year, particularly at Portland International Airport (PDX).
From Turkey, traditions and TSA checkpoints, if you're flying over the November holidays, Allison Ferre with the Port of Portland shared some tips as well as travel forecasts for PDX.
Ferre said PDX is preparing to welcome more than 350,000 arriving and departing travelers, an increase of 3.5% from 2023. Peak days are also expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which falls on November 27, followed by Sunday, falling on December. 1; each is expecting nearly 57,000 travelers.
To make the holiday travel experience at PDX easier this season, here are five tips Ferre shared with KGW for viewers to keep in mind leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Arrive early: It is recommended to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and two and a half hours early for international travel, keeping in mind whether you want to check bags, park, shop or grab a bite to eat. Ferré also said there are peak hours at the airport from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Check parking before leaving for the airport: Ferré said there is often a high demand for parking during the holidays. Verification FlyPDX.com/parkingwhich displays a live count of available parking spaces before you leave your home, can help you. This also helps you know if a particular garage you are looking at is at or near capacity. Ferre also recommends using the new MAX Red Line as another way to get in and out of the airport quickly.
- Get to know the new PDX: If you haven't walked around the newly renovated PDX, you might want to take a minute to tour it FlyPDX.com/card to familiarize yourself with the updated layout. Ferré said that while there are still two main security checkpoints and the concourses are the same, walks are longer for those exiting concourses B and E due to ongoing construction.
- Map family-friendly features: If you are traveling with children, PDX has four lactation rooms, two children's play areas and a sensory room for children who need a safe space to regulate their senses. Ferre said free sensory bags are available at the Travel Oregon Welcome Center during baggage claim, as well as at TSA supervisors' offices for all travelers with sensory needs.
- Discover the resources available: There is several features added this year to help people with different needs navigate the airport. Recent additions include the expansion of GoodMaps, a free audio-visual guidance app to help travelers who are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, as well as a new hearing loop system in baggage claim to provide clear, amplified audio to passengers. passengers. travelers with hearing aids or cochlear implants. A list of all resources is available at here.
