Yes, Portland (OR) International Airport (PDX) has designated smoking areas, with four marked outdoor zones split between the upper departures deck and the lower arrivals deck.
PDX is smoke-free inside every concourse, gate, restaurant, bar, and shop, and the same rule covers e-cigarettes and vaping. The new $2 billion main terminal opened in August 2024 under a nine-acre mass-timber roof, consolidating ticketing, baggage claim, and the security checkpoints, but it added no indoor smoking facilities, so the airport stays outdoor-only. All four smoking areas are landside, equipped with pole ashtrays and, on the upper deck, a bench, and positioned at least 10 feet from doors to meet Oregon’s clean-air rule.
Upper Deck (Departures Level)
The upper roadway level fronts ticketing and check-in. Two of the four smoking areas sit out here along the curb:
- West side, outside Alaska Airlines — marked smoking area with pole trays and a bench.
- East side, outside Delta Air Lines — matching marked area with pole trays and a bench.
These are the most convenient zones if you are departing: smoke before you head inside to check bags and clear security.
Lower Deck (Arrivals and Ground Transportation)
The lower roadway level holds baggage claim and the ground-transportation curb where rideshare, taxis, and pickups gather. Two more designated smoking areas are out here, reached by walking through the baggage claim hall and following the signage to the curbside. These are the handiest zones on arrival — light up right after you collect your bags. The MAX Red Line light-rail station sits at the south end near baggage claim, so transit riders are a short walk from the lower-deck areas.
Concourses A, B, C, D and E
Past security, PDX fans out into Concourses A through E across two wings (B and C south, D and E north, joined by a central connector). Every concourse is smoke-free, with no smoking rooms, balconies, or airside terraces.
To smoke while waiting at a gate you have to exit the terminal to one of the deck areas and re-clear the TSA checkpoint afterward. On a tight connection that round trip is rarely worth it, so plan to smoke at the upper-deck zones before you go through security.
Summary Table
| Area | Smoking Location | Indoor/Outdoor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper deck (departures) | West side outside Alaska Airlines | Outdoor | Pole trays + bench; before security |
| Upper deck (departures) | East side outside Delta | Outdoor | Pole trays + bench; before security |
| Lower deck (arrivals) | Curbside via baggage claim | Outdoor | Two zones; handiest on arrival |
| Concourses A–E | None | — | No airside smoking; exit and re-screen |
For another smoke-free Pacific Northwest hub, see our guide to smoking at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), which is also outdoor-only on the Lower Drive.
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.