Aviation is booming in the United States, experiencing exponential growth in recent years, and with that has come substantial investment and development in airport infrastructure. As outlined by Airports Council International, $173.9 billion is needed over the next five years to help match this new demand growth, so where is this investment being allocated, and what will it mean for the airlines and passengers affected?
From brand-new terminals to the latest advancements in technology and sustainability initiatives, these developments are promising to redefine passenger experiences and further strengthen America’s air travel network. This guide explores six standout projects, all at a major turning point in 2025. These projects are setting the stage for the next generation of American airports.
Pittsburgh International Airport: Bringing Air Travel Closer
Pittsburgh International Airport’s major $1.7 billion terminal program is a landmark project, with a key goal of redefining what a mid-sized American hub can be. It is scheduled to open in November 2025 and seeks to consolidate check-in, ticketing, security, and baggage into one single, connected terminal. This represents a very striking departure from the airport’s decades-old split between landside and airside facilities, bringing a totally new visual look to what was once a much more dated airport. The final result is a modernized, and most importantly, adaptable airport built to halve the time from car to gate, all while showcasing Pittsburgh’s own design and engineering talent.
Allegheny County Airport Authority has partnered with HDR, Gensler, and luis vidal + architects to bring this vision to life. HDR is responsible for the surface access, site, airfield, and infrastructure design. This includes developing new and reconfiguring existing roadways, a 1,300-foot three-level bridge, and more than 6,000 new parking spaces. Their in-depth traffic and pedestrian analysis helped inform all design choices, enabling real-world data to highlight where improvements were needed and identify areas of significant importance to passenger traffic flow.
Pittsburgh’s new terminal reflects both precision and purpose, which are ultimately what are needed in today’s airline market to help keep up with growing demand. Designed by a team deeply rooted in the region, it blends cutting-edge technology with a local touch. The inclusion of art, landscaping, and materials that can all be traced to the Pittsburgh area helps connect travelers to the community. When this new terminal is unveiled, it will stand as a symbol of efficiency and innovation. Most importantly, it will show how a city known for its industrial legacy can lead the next generation of aviation design.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport: Expansion Of A Global Gateway
As one of the largest US airports, Chicago O’Hare has been a top priority for infrastructure investment and redevelopment. An airport of its scale requires careful planning and a massive amount of resources to keep it up to date, which is why the ORDNext expansion project was initiated. The $8.2 billion plan comprises multiple stages, each costing in excess of $1 billion, to cement airports’ place in the future of air transport. The first milestone of this megaproject is the groundbreaking of Concourse D. Slated for completion in 2028, work is already underway to bring this new concourse to fruition. It seeks to modernize and streamline passenger facilities while ensuring efficient aircraft ground movements. With a total of 590,000 square feet of space, this new project marks the beginning of a new future for the airport.
The project is being led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) with partners Ross Barney Architects, JGMA, and Arup to assist with design and construction. Concourse D will feature 19 new gates with the flexibility to serve both narrow and wide-body aircraft, a feature that will prove vital in the modern airline market. Passengers will have access to more than 20,000 square feet of lounge space, 30,000 square feet of retail and dining, and a central, communal space defined by naturally inspired structural columns. This serves as a subtle homage to the orchard that once occupied the site. Ultimately, the concourse is designed for sustainability and comfort, two essential ingredients of what makes a modern airport.
A key secondary benefit of this project is the creation of over 3,800 jobs, showing the airports’ commitment to growing the local economy. A focus such as this is highly commendable, especially given the project’s push for inclusive growth, with a nearly 40% minority- and women-owned business participation rate as of 2025. This is only the beginning of what will inevitably be one of the largest airport overhauls to date, and it remains to be seen how long it will take to complete all stages.
San Diego International Airport: Powered By Nature
A brand-new terminal has arrived in San Diego, marking the initial stage of completion for one of California’s largest and most ambitious transportation infrastructure projects. The project, estimated to have cost nearly $4 billion, has replaced the outdated terminal, bringing it up to modern standards for design, efficiency, and sustainability. The first stage features 19 new gates, a vast ticketing hall, and over 90,000 square feet of restaurants and retail showcasing local culture. Designed by Gensler and built by the Turner–Flatiron joint venture, the terminal sets a new standard for the passenger experience even at this early stage of completion. This marks just the beginning of San Diego’s future, with a total of 30 gates planned by 2028.
Beyond architecture, the New T1 represents a remarkable engineering achievement. Built on reclaimed bayfront land near the Rose Canyon Fault Zone, the project required advanced seismic design to address a range of risks, including liquefaction, lateral spreading, and ground motion. Engineers from Kleinfelder and Turner achieved this by implementing a variety of techniques to ensure resilience against earthquakes up to magnitude 7.0. The new terminal complex also includes nine new bridges, extensive retaining walls, and a redesigned roadway network featuring a dual-level arrivals and departures system, aimed at further easing passenger flow and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The innovation doesn’t end there; the terminal also runs on 100% carbon-free electricity and offers more than 250 EV charging stations, aligning with San Diego’s Climate Action Plan. Similar to Chicago, the project is expected to generate 25,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in economic impact, with a target of achieving LEED Gold certification. Combining seismic ingenuity with sustainable design, San Diego’s New T1 stands as a global model for how airports can balance safety, beauty, and environmental responsibility amid constant climate and infrastructure challenges.
Sacramento International Airport: A Rapid Expansion
Similar to Chicago, Sacramento has its own future expansion plan, aptly named SMForward, a $1.3 billion infrastructure improvement program designed to prepare California’s capital for the next generation of travel. The plan is incredibly ambitious, with seven major projects over just four years aimed at modifying the airport’s layout and capacity. Improvements include a new pedestrian walkway, expanded parking, improved baggage systems, and upgraded access roads. The first milestone of this project, a new Terminal A exit road, is scheduled to open in Q3 2026, with much more to come thereafter.
The main highlight point of this project is the expansion of Concourse B, which will add six new gates to the existing 19. In addition, upgraded ticketing and baggage systems will be introduced, further streamlining passenger operations. What’s more, a new 5,500-space parking garage and an ADA-compliant pedestrian walkway will make terminal access even smoother and more sustainable. The Build America Bureau’s approval of a TIFIA infrastructure loan —the first ever granted to a US airport project —demonstrates national confidence in Sacramento’s plan and highlights that airport development projects are being recognized as a key investment in national infrastructure. A common theme amongst new expansion projects, the airport is also investing in public art, allocating $2 million for installations that highlight regional culture, helping to connect travelers with the surrounding environment.
Fundamentally, the SMForward provides a completely new outlook for the airport, supporting job creation, sustainability, and accessibility while expanding the airport’s ability to compete with other major players in the Californian region. Sacramento is creating an airport experience rooted in efficiency and community character, one that reflects its growing position as the gateway to Northern California’s innovation corridor.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport: The New Star Of Texas
With more than 46 million passengers in 2023, including over 10 million international travelers, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport stands among America’s top global gateways. The airport’s ongoing Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), launched in 2015, is transforming the passenger experience through a multibillion-dollar upgrade. The highlight of this project is the new Mickey Leland International Terminal, as well as the modernization of Terminals B, D, and E. These projects are far more than simply for expansion; they’re about readiness, with new facilities ready just ahead of Houston’s role as a key host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The new refurbished Terminal D complex is also of note, complete with a 160,000-square-foot D–West Pier that opened in 2024. The new concourse includes a copper-toned ceiling inspired by Houston’s live oak trees, a 380-foot LED wall, and widebody-capable gates that strengthen the airport’s international network. Adjacent Terminal E now houses 17 state-of-the-art TSA screening lanes, among the largest in the U.S., and 11 dedicated drop-off lanes that help keep wait times under 22 minutes. The upgrades are built to LEED Silver standards, using recycled materials and energy-efficient systems.
As a key base for 
United Airlines, these upgrades will be of great importance to the carrier, which is aiming to stand out as the top US carrier despite major competition. Houston’s expansion marks a key opportunity for the airline to continue growing its operations, with new aircraft and routes expected to be added. The airport is setting its sights far beyond domestic borders, aiming to be a key player in international air travel, and with these new improvements, this could well become a reality.
Nashville International Airport: An Explosion Of Growth
Nashville is on the rise, and it is doing so at an incredible rate. Its airport is just one part of the major transformation of the music city beloved by many worldwide. The BNA Vision and New Horizons programs are bringing along multi-billion-dollar investments, preparing for a projected 28 million passengers to be welcomed annually by 2028. The next major milestone is already underway, with Concourse A closing for a $855 million renovation that will triple its size, expanding from 6 to 16 gates and adding new amenities such as moving walkways, an outdoor terrace, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic airfield views.
Airport CEO Doug Kreulen calls the expansion ironically “a game of musical chairs.” As one new concourse opens, another begins its makeover. The latest designs for the terminals primarily emphasize comfort and creativity. A notable inclusion is a stage for live music performances that celebrates Nashville’s cultural identity. Travelers will also find more shopping and dining options, as well as faster movement through new 120-foot-long moving walkways, all reflecting the airport’s “Music City” spirit of hospitality and innovation.
When Concourse A reopens in July 2028, BNA will grow to 70 operational gates, cementing its status as one of the fastest-rising airports in the nation. The project also bids farewell to BNA’s beloved blue-and-beige carpet, an unlikely social-media icon that symbolized the airport’s charm for a decade. Nashville is saying goodbye to the nostalgia and introducing a sleek, modern environment built for the next generation of travelers.
