Pittsburgh's airport ranks among world's most beautiful
Finch Walker- Pittsburgh International Airport was named one of the world's most beautiful airports by the 2026 Prix Versailles.
- The recognition follows a five-year, $1.7 billion modernization program that concluded in 2025.
- Its new design incorporates local materials and draws inspiration from the Pittsburgh region's landscape and industrial history.
Following a five-year modernization program, Pittsburgh International Airport was named one of the seven most beautiful airports in the world.
The 2026 Prix Versailles laureates named the most beautiful airports, campuses, passenger stations, sports, museums, emporiums, hotels and restaurants in the world. Pittsburgh was among them, with the airport ranking alongside a location stateside, as well facilities in Germany, India and China.
The Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions highlighting the best modern projects around the globe annually. Its World Jury considers each project's ecological, social and cultural impacts as they work to award the World Titles.
“Being named to the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the vision, talent and determination of everyone who helped bring our new terminal to life," said Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport. "This terminal was built by Pittsburghers, for Pittsburgh. It showcases our region’s innovation, craftsmanship and hospitality while creating an airport experience that reflects the character and pride of our community."
Here's how Pittsburgh International Airport ranked, and what makes it beautiful.
Where does Pittsburgh International Airport rank among most beautiful airports?
Pittsburgh International Airport was one of seven airports from around the world ranked by Prix Versailles as the World's Most Beautiful Airports.
These are the Prix Versailles' 2026 World's Most Beautiful Airports, in no particular order:
- Pittsburgh International Airport in Pittsburgh
- San Diego International Airport, Terminal 1 in San Diego
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Terminal 3 in Guangzhou, China
- Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 3 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Terminal 2 in Guwahati, India
- Navi Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 1 in Navi Mumbai, India
- Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
What makes Pittsburgh International Airport beautiful?
Pittsburgh International Airport underwent a five-year modernization program that kicked off in 2018, breaking ground in 2021 and wrapping up in 2025. Gensler, HDR and architect Luis Vidal's studio partnered for the project, and much of the designs included materials from the region, according to a press release from PIT, such as local wood, stone and steel.
The goal, according to Vidal's studio, was to give the airport a design that "reflects the identity, values and ambitions of the Pittsburgh region," drawing inspiration from the area's hills and woods, as well as the city's background of industry and innovation.
Numerous features throughout the airport were inspired by the city's architecture and landscape. The Skybridge — which takes passengers from the terminal to gates, shopping and restaurants — mimics the entryway into Pittsburgh through the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel, PIT's release said. Over the terminal, an "undulating" roofline draws inspiration from the region's hills, with peaks to allow for areas like check-in and security, as well as valleys for quieter moments, according to Vidal's studio. Steel columns throughout the terminal are structured similarly to trees, and the area is lit by constellation lighting reminiscent of the Appalachian night sky. Both the pre- and post-security areas feature outdoor terraces, a rare characteristic for U.S. airports.
Pittsburgh International Airport updates more inclusive, cut travel time
In addition to artistic updates, the redesign helped consolidate landside and airside operations into one connected facility. The consolidation cuts domestic passengers' time to get from the curb to their gate by about 50%, while it cuts that time by about 67% for international travelers, according to PIT.
The airport's redesign also made it more accessible, as it now features highly-visible signage and information displays, accessible-height ticketing counters, quiet rooms, nursing rooms, adult changing tables, additional rest areas and a sensory-friendly suite to support people with autism and sensory sensitivities.
The redesign, which cost $1.7 billion, created more than 14,300 jobs in the Pittsburgh region, with an economic impact of more than $2.5 billion in regional economic activity, according to the press release from PIT.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.