PDX announces return of iconic carpet in main terminal remodel

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Portland International Airport’s iconic carpet has been a fixture of thousands of selfies, pics and memes for years.

But when the airport announced a major remodel of its main terminal, flyers expressed concerns that the new look may somehow take away the beloved pattern. Fortunately, the carpet’s place in PDX has been secured.

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On Friday, the airport posted a video on Instagram featuring a (literal) roll-out of the bright teal carpet with the following caption: “The love affair continues…the PDX carpet that so many of you have held close to your heart is here and returning to the new PDX soon.”

The airport said in a press release that it “heard our region loud and clear” and decided to keep the design.

“When the main terminal opens later this year, travelers will see new sections of the carpet in select areas: where they’re most likely to rest or sit, and where local musicians will play. In total, there will be 5,865 square feet of the locally designed carpet, all installed by a PNW flooring company. Elsewhere, the flooring will be mostly hard surface — terrazzo or Oregon-grown White Oak, which is easier to navigate for wheelchairs, roller bags, and strollers.”

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The carpet, one of the most popular features of PDX, was originally installed in 1988. According to PDX Next, almost every square inch of it was replaced 30 years later when it started to wear so badly that crews were using markers to color bare spots.

Since its original installation, the carpet has been featured on shirts, buttons, signs, socks, posters, soccer scarves and a number of other types of memorabilia.

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