Featured/All images: PDX

Portland International, LG Upgrade Flight Info Displays

DALLAS — Portland International Airport (PDX) has embarked on a significant technological upgrade as part of its ongoing US$2 billion “PDX Next” renovation.

To enhance traveler experience and streamline operations, the airport replaced its aging flight information displays with 378 state-of-the-art LG LCD screens, ranging from 43 to 98 inches in size. 

These new displays are powered by LG’s webOS system-on-chip (SoC) platform and managed via the cloud-based ConnectedCare service. They allow remote monitoring, simplified installation, and robust network security.

Enhancing Traveler Convenience, Operational Efficiency

Initiated in 2017, the “PDX Next” project is not only focused on expanding concourses and increasing capacity to accommodate up to 35 million travelers annually but also on optimizing space for sustainability, accessibility, and overall passenger well-being. Accurate and easily readable flight information was a key priority. 

“Providing accurate, easy to read flight information is essential for making the traveler and employee experience at PDX great,” noted Scott Shepler, Manager of Aviation Information Technology at PDX. Collaborating with SITA, the airport could re-engineer its display network—eliminating the need for separate players and video transceivers—instead stream content directly over Ethernet from central servers to each LG display.

A Secure, All-in-One Display Solution

Adopting LG’s integrated webOS and ConnectedCare solutions has resulted in a highly secure and efficient system. Each display functions as its computer, capable of multitasking and maintaining safe URL-based content delivery. 

This advanced setup prevents unauthorized access and blocks potential misuse of USB ports and IR sensors. “PDX wanted something simple and secure, and that’s what we delivered with our webOS system,” explained Daniel Verbsky, Transportation Account Manager at LG Electronics USA. The displays’ built-in security mechanisms have already proven their worth; when a security breach affected many U.S. airports, PDX’s new system remained unaffected.

Collaborative Development, Ongoing Support

The installation process was a collaborative effort involving PDX, SITA, and LG. SITA conducted an extensive on-site survey and prepared a detailed report with scaled renderings, which guided the installation of the new displays. 

Continuous support from LG’s ConnectedCare developers ensured that any initial technical challenges were quickly resolved. This close partnership underscores the value of responsive, post-installation support—a critical factor in successfully deploying the airport’s new digital signage network.

With this upgrade, Portland International Airport is reinforcing its commitment to a seamless and secure travel experience and setting a benchmark for modern airport infrastructure.

Stay connected at every stop along your journey! Get any Saily mobile data plan at 5% off with the code AIRWAYSMAG5 + up to 5GB free!

Exploring Airline History Volume I

David H. Stringer, the History Editor for AIRWAYS Magazine, has chronicled the story of the commercial aviation industry with his airline history articles that have appeared in AIRWAYS over two decades. Here, for the first time, is a compilation of those articles.

Subjects A through C are presented in this first of three volumes. Covering topics such as the airlines of Alaska at the time of statehood and Canada's regional airlines of the 1960s, the individual histories of such carriers as Allegheny, American, Braniff, and Continental are also included in Volume One. Get your copy today!