PTI's slogan is "fly easy." It's accurate…read more
I flew Delta roundtrip through Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) last week and everything was an absolute breeze. I love this airport because it's small, not crowded, and is very easy to get around.
GSO is the airport code for PTI, since it's located in Greensboro, North Carolina. It serves the Piedmont Triad region of the state, consisting of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem. The Triad is not to be confused with the Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill (which has its own airport too - RDU).
PTI was the airport I grew up with in the 80s and 90s. Our family would regularly fly from here to visit extended family in Bangkok, Thailand. The trip would always consist of three legs because PTI is a smaller airport and we'd always have to connect to a bigger-city airport like Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Newark, or Washington Dulles for long-haul international flights. My parents still fly these same routes today (my mom is now a 2 Million Miler on United).
Despite its name, PTI has never actually had scheduled commercial international flights. The "International" designation stems from its status as an official U.S. Customs & Border Protection Port of Entry, which handles international cargo, private jets, and occasional international charters.
The airport consists of two concourses:
1. The North Concourse contains Gates 20-34 (15 gates) and is primarily used by Delta, United, Allegiant, and charters.
2. The South Concourse contains Gates 40-51 (12 gates) and is primarily used by American.
The Main Terminal, outside security, on the Departures Level (upper level) is the most "modernized" section of the airport. I think it was last renovated and updated in 2011. It looks nice.
The North Concourse, inside security, and the Arrivals Level (lower level), outside security, where baggage claim is, are mostly just as I remember them from 25+ years ago. Parts of PTI still have that throwback 80s/90s aesthetic to me, from the concourse carpets to the retro-looking and sometimes illuminated door panels and signs.
So, this airport does hold some nostalgic and sentimental value for me, which is probably why I'm giving it five stars instead of four. Reasons why I might downgrade this airport to four stars are: (1) There are no airline lounges. (2) The bathrooms could be updated.
My sister made a great point, though. Why do you need an airport lounge at an airport where there is no wait?
As I wrote in my separate five-star review for the TSA Checkpoint at the North Concourse, the security process was fast and easy, and I'm not sure if it could have gone any better.
And as I wrote in my review for Hertz, the car rental experience was a breeze too. It's just a short walk to and from the rental car lot, and it wasn't busy at all.
If you have time to kill, the Main Terminal outside security is more interesting than post-security. It's worth a stroll.
Outside, on both the Departures (upper) and Arrivals (lower) Levels, it also wasn't busy at all. There appeared to be plenty of both short-term and long-term paid parking, directly outside the doors.
Finally, the luggage carts at PTI are free.