Portland International Jetport – PWM

Little airport with 11 terminals. Security line was fairly fast. A couple dining options.

I don’t know any airports I would give a 5 star rating to but this place is so small and cute, there really was nothing I disliked about this airport. Arriving here, baggage claim was quick and efficient and a short walk from our arrivals gate. We took an Über to where we were staying and FYI, Über is not as prevalent here as it is in major cities. It took a good 10+ minutes for our driver to arrive to the airport– there aren’t usually any in the nearby vicinity (as we arrived on a Friday afternoon which is a relatively popular arrival time IMO).
Departing from here– we came on a Sunday and were one of the first early flights out so it was fairly empty when we arrived. Everyone from the United attendants who checked in our luggage to the TSA security workers was nothing but friendly and welcoming. And there was sooo many staff… there was literally 5 TSA workers to every 1 passenger… why can’t major city airports (ahem EWR) be staffed like this!!! Of course it only took 2 minutes to clear security.
Upon walking in after clearing security, there is a Starbucks which has cozy sofas next to it you can lay on. Soo great for early morning flights where you just want to sit (or lie down) somewhere comfy and take a pre-​flight nap. Every airport should have sofas! There are also rocking chairs at a few of the gates which made the airport so quaint and calming. I definitely would NOT be complaining if I had a delayed flight at this airport.

I hadn’t heard of a jetport in the last, but maybe it’s a regional thing, or a size thing. This jetport is very small compared to airports I have been to. I’m assuming a very limited amount of flights come through, but they do a good job of deplaning and leading you in the right directions. Given you come in during a good time of the day, you can grab some food to eat, or a drink. I really like how they have refilling stations, so don’t forget to bring a bottle! Definitely no complaints at all :)

What a lovely, polite and serene little airport this is.
The politest security to date, space to move around and breath, incredibly clean bathrooms… throw in a Starbucks, a plane that leaves on time and (sorry Amtrak) — next time I’m in Maine, I’m coming in via air.

For my 300^th review I would like to write about my favorite airport. Granted I have not been to many airports, but this one is the best. With (I think) 12 gates, this airport has a Starbucks, cushy recliners, and plenty of places to plant yourself close to an outlet and get some work done.
Check in never takes more than 5 minutes. With pre-​check you are usually the only person in line. People always have a smile on their face.
This airport is what I imagine a small local airport in Alabama to be like. I was flying home one day and sitting at my gate (Gate 7), when over the intercom it says «Attention Charlotte flight, your gate has been changed from Gate 7, to Gate 8». Looking over my shoulder… gate 8, 2 feet away. That is how small this airport is.
The only real complaint is the lack of direct flights to Charlotte and the cost. Flying to Boston and driving the 2 hours to Portland often costs ¹⁄₃ of the price. If only I could fly direct more often.

The airport was clean, the staff was friendly, but the food was lacking. Although I do love me some Burger King and there was one right in my lobby area. I liked the ease of getting to this airport and through the no existent lines. Everyone was friendly.
Probably the funniest experience I had was flying to this airport and from this airport was me thinking that I was hearing things.
Picture this: There I am sitting in the middle of the plane thinking that I am going crazy because I keep on hearing a cat meow. Now, no one else is moving around trying to find the sound of this cat so I just think that I can hear it. I have four cats (omg) and thought that maybe I was suffering some PTSD from all the times they are crying outside the bedroom door. I have also had some ear issues and could not get my ears to pop so I thought it was me. So for the two hour flight to Portland from Philly I really thought I was losing it. Turns out there was a companion cat on the plane that the tranquilizer did not take and was going crazy. THEN ON THE FLIGHT BACK TO PHILLY FROM PORTLAND THE SAME LADY WITH THE CAT WAS ON IT.
Then we are on the runway in Portland about to go to the terminal and some one on the plane decides they could not hold it anymore and go up to use the bathroom… We had to wait on the runway until they were done before the plane was allowed to move. Seriously… we were like 2 minutes away. I get having to go but the last 5 minutes of your flight you couldn’t have maybe held it?
Funny Portland Airport experiences. I liked this airport and am looking forward to flying into it again.

«The way airports should be.» With close, covered garage parking, efficient professional staff and a small town feel this airport is clean and easy. Former slow baggage times are improving and a newer terminal has a great modern look. It never seems like I have to wait in line and the security check point always feels like it has the right number of lanes open for the customer volume. I think the new terminal has helped significantly with foot traffic flow. It’s designed for modern requirements if any remember the old retrofit of new procedures in a building designed in a different time.
Con: There is no premium airport lounge at this airport.
Pro tip: Check on line discount coupon outlets for the offsite valet parking vendor located directly behind the parking garage. As of this review the parking is cheaper and the service is excellent. That said, the indoor parking garage located on the airport property is clean, well lit, secure and provides a weather free experience via covered walk ways.
Available food options are not extensive at this small airport however what is available is quality, including a beer and burgers type place behind security and a Starbucks, also behind security. Water bottle fill fountains are located adjacent to the rest rooms. There are a few nice leather couches near the Starbucks however they lack close access to power outlets.
Pro tip2: Check the returned paperbacks section of both book shops for lightly used copies of popular paperback novels at significant discounts.
Pro tip3: Sign up for TSA pre check, get approved, check your boarding pass and enjoy shorter lines, leave your shoes, belt and jacket on and you may not have to remove your laptop from your bag at screening.
Have a great trip! Post lots of reviews and pictures on Unilocal so we can live vicariously through your experience and know where to go. :)

This is one of the smaller international airports I’ve encountered in the country. The security line was nonexistent and I actually beat people going through TSA PreCheck because I had to walk a shorter distance to the ID checking station. The rocking chairs and couches in the gate area are a hot commodity.
It can get a little warm inside, so be prepared to shed some layers.

Flew in here from the east coast. It is clean, wide open, and well lit. Also, great layout for getting to luggage claim, ground transportation, and rental cars. Finally, centrally located so if you are traveling within the Portland area, barring rush hour traffic, you can get to where ever you are going in 30min or less.

Unilocal — «what keeps me coming back» you ask? The fact that I have to pick people up. It would be mean to make them walk :) So to set the stage, I haven’t flown out of this airport since, 1995? But honestly, I don’t feel I would have needed to fly out to be able to rate it. Feel free to stop reading if you feel my opinion doesn’t matter as a non-​recent flyer.
Navigating — you can’t get lost or turned around at this airport. It is clearly marked and it’s one way for most of the driveway… although I did see one person going the wrong way… watch out for them.
There is a cell phone lot and a baggage claim lot!!! How great is that?! I usually wait in the cell phone lot and wait for the text that they are at baggage claim and then I move to the baggage claim lot! So very convenient and removes the stress of circling. You shouldn’t have to idle in front of the doors and nor should you, there are police that will ensure you don’t.
If you do want to park and do the formal send off or the move-​style greet with flowers as they come through security, the hourly lot rate is only $ 2 for the first hour.
I have never seen a HUGE line at security. For all of my friends and family, it usually takes them no more than 10 minutes to go through security.
There is a currency exchange window near the escalators. Very convenient, I guess that is what makes it an international airport? ;)
The only strange thing about this airport is the fact that you have to go up to security and back down to the gates. Security is the only thing on the second floor. It is very pretty up there though — great detail. Feels like Maine.
Better eat before you arrive, there is no real food court like other large airports.
I look forward to flying in and out of here at some point. :)

I love this airport. Why? Because I can show up to the ticket counter with an hour before my flight and get to my gate in 20 minutes. Security has always been a quick pit stop never taking me more than 10 minutes. I have flown both jetblue and american airlines and the employees have always been polite and helpful. Quite a few times I have picked up some great books for my trip at the one stop convenience store, and although they allow you to return them after you get back I never do. Still it’s a great concept that I love because the next people to buy the book get a discount.
The price to fly out of Portland is often more expensive than flying out of Boston at face value, but looking at the time and cost to travel to get there it comes out to relatively the same price. This is also a far cheaper airport than most for leaving your car at the airport. I left mine for about 3 ½ days and it was just over $ 40. There is also almost no pissible way to get lost coming into or leaving because of it’s small size. That is saying something for someone who has no sense of direction. Drop off and pick ups are easy affairs and for those without rides there is a easy to spot designated taxi area. I wish all my trips theough airports could be as smooth as when I fly out of Portland.

At 5am on a Sunday morning, the last place you want to be is at an airport.
But, if you have to be at an airport, then the following things make it that much less painful:
1) Rental car return nearby and walking distance to security
2) No line for security
3) On time flights
4) Open shops for coffee and bagels or whatever you might need to wake up
Thanks, Portland!

I wish every airport experience was like the one here.
It was efficient, clean, and peaceful. Yes, you read that correctly, peaceful.
From the TSA check to the gate, each staff was courteous and even the tone in their voice was kind. The attendant reminded us that no laptops or bottles of water could go through, and she was so nice about it! of course I’ll dispose of my water and put my laptop in its own bin… I’ll do whatever with a demeanor like that. Why can’t other airports be as relaxed and friendly? It was a fast walk through as well. Maybe 2 minutes total.
It’s a small airport, but it has the main essentials: Starbucks, lobster (for that last minute lobster roll), Burger King, and a souvenir shop.
Great way to start a travel day.

Really nice, tiny airport. The TSA agents are very professional (they actually have the time to do their job here, unlike hectic airports in big cities). You’ll find just about everything you need here, including a nice pub serving Shipyard beers and friendly servers (Maine!). There’s also free WiFi, which for me makes any airport an automatic winner. Only a handful of gates, so no reason to get here too early, but it’s not a bad place to be if you have some time to kill.

Normally I don’t have too many issues with airports but something about the employees I encountered here just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The employees in general work incredibly slow and exhibit rudeness in their attitude.
The airport is tiny and there aren’t many people here so it should be a quick easy in and out. But everything from getting my rental car, to going through security, checking my bags in, etc. was incredibly slow. There was one lady at the security line that was doing absolutely nothing and didn’t offer to help with the lines. I was so appalled.
Portland is a great city but the airport needs to do a better job of improving the airport experience.

Medium size city airports always seem to be a good experience mainly because of the lack of huddled masses. The Portland airport is no exception.
Quick luggage arrival, short TSA lines and easy access to ground transportation. Free Wi-​Fi too.

I have really grown to love flying out of this airport. I’ve lounged in sofas, watched flights depart while relaxing in a rocking chair, used free wifi (that isn’t painstakingly slow), enjoyed a lobster roll, the list goes on.
I’ve also never met a disgruntled employee. Everyone (even the people who delivered my luggage to my house when US Air left it in Philadelphia) has provided service with a smile.
My most favorite thing about PWM is how quick the TSA lines always move. I never grow frustrated with security here.
Also, the long term parking garage always seems to have parking on the 2^nd floor. I don’t know what’s up with the other floors but the 2^nd floor has never done me wrong (I hope posting this review doesn’t ruin my luck).

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is Portland, ME airport and it’s in the middle of everything. Very convenient if your staying anywhere in Portland or the neighboring small towns around. It’s a skip and a hop away from the old port where we were staying.
Easy access and never any long lines it’s perfect for coming in and out of the city.
TSA is pretty fast checking passengers bags and with plenty of self check in all over the airport its very electronic friendly.
There are plenty of eats in the airport and local shops for you to pick up souvenirs. One of my favorite thing is there are outlets all over the airport and iPads for you to surf the web or order food. Almost every restaurant has iPads on there tables for you to order and look at the menu.
There are rocking chairs and comfortable sofas all over the airport. Yes you read that correctly. I am actually sitting in a sofa on Gate 8 writing this review while I am waiting for my plane… pretty cool huh? Not a single complaint.

I LOVE flying in/​out of PMW! The design is beautiful. So much natural light. TSA is fast (although, today their scanners were broken. Annoying, but it happens), and the restaurants are on par with most of Portland. It’s a good representation of the area and a great airport experience. In the last month I have been to Philly, O’Hare, LGA, DFW, and McCarran (Vegas) and PMW is still my favorite airport. It’s very clean and well maintained and the seating at the gates is stylishly arranged and they have outlets in the seating for charging. Huge airport upgrade.

It’s very small, but functional.
Security is a breeze. There are lobster rolls, and a Starbucks. Drop-​off/​pick-​up is super easy. I wish there were a better transit system to the downtown (only a bus that runs every 40 – 60 min) but that’s not on the airport.