Table of Contents
Portland International Airport (PDX) has a bunch of airlines flying all over the U.S. and beyond. When you’re picking an airline, you’ll want to look at things like flight options, service, and rewards.
Alaska Airlines and Delta are favorites for Portland travelers. They’ve built out strong route networks and generally get good reviews for customer satisfaction.
You can grab nonstop flights from PDX to over 60 places. That includes big U.S. cities, Canada, Europe, and some sunny vacation spots.
Whether you want a quick direct flight or need to connect somewhere, Portland’s got flexibility. It’s honestly pretty handy for a mid-sized airport.
Key Takeways
- You can reach many nonstop destinations from Portland Airport.
- Alaska Airlines and Delta are top picks for service and route options.
- Flexible flight choices make traveling from Portland easier.
Overview of Airlines Flying from Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for a variety of airlines. You’ll find a mix of domestic, international, and budget carriers.
This means you’ve got options, whether you’re staying in the U.S. or heading somewhere farther.
Major Domestic Carriers
PDX is important for several big U.S. airlines. Alaska Airlines is huge here, with tons of flights up and down the West Coast and beyond.
You’ll see Alaska planes everywhere at PDX. They’re popular for service and their mileage program, which frequent flyers seem to love.
American Airlines (AA) and United Airlines (UA) are also in the mix. They connect Portland to major hubs, so getting to other parts of the country is pretty straightforward.
Southwest Airlines is another big player. They’re known for low fares and no-frills service, and they’ve got a bunch of domestic routes from PDX.
Pick your airline based on your destination, seat preferences, or loyalty points. All of these offer plenty of flights and reasonable schedules.
International Airlines
PDX does have international flights, but not as many as some bigger airports. Air Canada is the main one, flying to Canadian cities and adding more options in 2024.
There’s also Korean Air (KE), which connects you to Asia via their main hubs. If you’re heading to Europe or Asia, PDX can get you started, though you might need a connection.
International flights are fewer than domestic, but you can reach Canada, Asia, and Europe. Double-check schedules, since some routes are seasonal.
Low-Cost and Budget Airlines
If you’re watching your wallet, PDX has a few budget airlines. Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air are the big names here.
They mostly fly to vacation spots and smaller airports. Just keep an eye on extra fees—those can add up fast.
Budget carriers give you more affordable choices, but you won’t get as many perks. Still, it’s nice to have options for cheap flights out of Portland.
Non-Stop and Direct Flight Destinations
PDX has a solid list of non-stop and direct flights. You can get to popular West Coast cities, Hawaii, and other big destinations across the country.
Popular West Coast Routes
From Portland, you can fly nonstop to San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. These are popular with both business and vacation travelers.
Alaska Airlines and Southwest serve these spots. There are also nonstop flights to Las Vegas if you’re in the mood for a quick getaway.
Short flights and frequent departures make it easy to plan. That’s honestly a big plus for anyone with a busy schedule.
Flights to Hawaii
Portland offers non-stop flights to several Hawaiian islands. You can fly straight to Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), and Kona.
If you want to skip layovers and get to the beach faster, these flights are perfect. Most take around five hours—pretty reasonable for a Hawaii trip.
Alaska Airlines and Southwest handle most of these routes. Booking early helps, since these flights fill up fast.
Top Direct Routes from PDX
Beyond the West Coast and Hawaii, you can get direct flights to cities like Nashville and New Orleans. Alaska Airlines and Southwest usually run these.
There are also international direct flights, like to Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The Amsterdam flight is especially popular for folks heading to Europe.
Direct routes save you time and hassle. Keep an eye out for new nonstop options—airlines like to mix things up.
Connecting Flight Options and Tips
If you’re booking a connecting flight from Portland, the hub you choose and your layover strategy can really affect your trip. Some airports are just easier to deal with than others.
Best U.S. Hubs for Connections
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the go-to hub for connections out of Portland. It’s close, so layovers aren’t usually too long, but you’ll still want to give yourself enough time to make your gate.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is another common connection point. It’s bigger and busier, but there’s a lot to do if you have a long layover—plenty of food and shops.
Denver International Airport (DEN) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) are also solid hubs. They offer lots of flights going east or south.
Both are bigger than Portland but usually less hectic than SEA or SFO. That can make for a less stressful transfer, honestly.
Seamless Transfer Strategies
If you want to make your connection less stressful, try booking flights with the same airline or at least partner airlines. Honestly, it just makes things smoother—your checked bags usually transfer on their own, and you’re less likely to sprint through the terminal.
Watch your layover time. For smaller hubs like SEA or DEN, shoot for at least an hour and a half, maybe two. With bigger airports like SFO, you’ll probably want even more of a buffer, especially if you need to switch terminals.
Take a look at airport maps before your trip. Knowing where your gates are can save you from that panicked dash when you land. It’s also worth signing up for airline alerts so you get notified about any last-minute gate changes or delays.
If your connection’s looking tight, don’t be shy—ask a flight attendant for help, either when you board or as soon as you land. Sometimes they can give you a hand or even let the next gate know you’re on your way.