This airport has a forest growing inside it — plus cute ‘therapy’ animals

Forests, llamas and alpacas — oh, my!

These aren’t your typical airport finds, but renovations at one US airport terminal are bringing the great outdoors inside.

Portland International Airport (PDX) officially reopened its main terminal on Wednesday — and the $2.15 billion renovation is far from standard.

Arriving and departing travelers will be met with a forest growing inside, with touches of the Pacific Northwest’s signature greenery and landscapes, including live trees and plants and natural light through the wooden roof to create the effect of a forest canopy.

According to a press release, there will be more than 5,000 plants in the new terminal by the end of construction, suspended from the ceiling and below the trees to give the look and feel of a regional forest.

Travelers will also get a feeling of a “walk in a [Pacific Northwest] forest” from 49 skylights, which will also help reduce the need for electrical lighting and cut energy use per square foot in half, according to the airport.

“Every part of the new terminal design aims to enhance the traveler journey and reduce stress,” ZGF Architects Managing Partner Sharron van der Meulen said in a statement. “Travelers are immediately greeted with expansive views to the airfield, abundant natural light and lush interior landscapes that create a sense of wonder and delight and evoke a walk through a Pacific Northwest forest.”

All of the wood used for the airport terminal was sourced from within 300 miles of the airport, the airport release said, and the ceiling, in particular, can be traced back to 11 family-owned, non-profit and Tribal forests — all of which are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which sets forest management standards, and practice ecological forestry.

PDX will also continue to have occasional appearances from “therapy” llamas and alpacas, adding to the outdoor experience.

“The llamas and alpacas visit PDX to soothe and delight travelers as part of the airport’s broader pet therapy program,” Allison Ferre, media relations manager with the Port of Portland, which runs PDX, told CNN. “They usually visit a couple times per month.”

The TSA experience has been upgraded to match the outside world as well.

Two video walls throughout the TSA checkpoints combine six PNW-inspired landscapes and vignettes designed by local artist Ivan McClellan. The walls sync with real-time data, so it’s different every day based on time, weather and passenger volume.

“Our focus throughout this entire project was: How do we reflect the pride and love we all have for the region in the new PDX?” Curtis Robinhold, executive director for the Port of Portland, said in a statement.

“And that question drove every decision. To work with locally-owned small businesses using local materials, to fill the new PDX with local art and shops from our favorite neighborhoods … It was a lot of local love for the Pacific Northwest that made it all happen.”

The expansion is being done in two parts, with the second and final phase beginning Thursday, Aug. 15, with expected completion in early 2026.

The second phase also will include permanent exit lanes, meet-and-greet areas, and more local shops and restaurants.