Cheap Flights to Portland Compare & Book Affordable Airfare
About Portland
Portland doesn’t merely accept its eccentricities, but actively celebrates them. As the cultural centerpiece of the Pacific Northwest, Portland is the place where food cart lines span whole blocks, the wooded hiking trails of Forest Park stretch right up against a walkable and bikeable downtown area, and "Keep Portland Weird" maker culture and coffee culture got their start. With a population of roughly 635,000, Portland has retained a laid-back vibe throughout its development into one of America’s hottest places for food and craft beer. No matter whether tourists shop around Powell's City of Books, catch Portland Trail Blazers games at the Moda Center, or explore the city’s numerous rose gardens, which have earned it the nickname of "City of Roses," they get a unique taste of the Pacific Northwest.
- Cheapest Month to Fly: January (with November also being a cheap month to fly)
- Best Month to Book: 30 to 60 days before your flight
- Cheapest Day to Fly: Tuesday or Wednesday
- Best Airline: Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines (for the budget airline)
Area Airports Serving Portland
Portland’s main airport is within a short light rail trip to the downtown area.
Best Time To Buy Affordable Flights To Portland
The first month of the year, January, is the most promising period when you will find low rates on flights to Portland because the holiday season will be over, and demand for traveling in the Pacific Northwest will be at its lowest.
Another good time to book low-cost tickets to Portland is late autumn, specifically November, just before the Thanksgiving season begins.
As far as calendaring goes, special attention should be paid to the Portland Rose Festival – the biggest event held in Portland throughout several weeks in late May and early June. This event increases flight prices by 20-40%.
Another two events attracting lots of visitors are the Waterfront Blues Festival taking place in the Fourth of July week and the Oregon Brewers Festival in late July. Prices on flights from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver usually experience the biggest spikes during this time.
Summers in general (July and August), being the peak of the Pacific Northwest tourist season, will have higher demand. Hence, it is recommended to book your flight 30 to 45 days in advance to ensure that you get a fair price because, as time approaches, it will get more expensive.
Comparison of Air Carriers Serving Portland (PDX)
Portland International Airport (PDX) is one of the most important airports on the West Coast, connecting with over 60 domestic and international destinations in Canada, Mexico, Asia, and Europe. The comparison between these major airlines can be seen as follows:
Alaska Airlines:
- Fares in the Main Cabin include 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.
- It is the leading airline carrier of PDX and has the most extensive network along the West Coast, specifically to Alaska and California.
Southwest Airlines:
- All fares include 2 free checked bags and free cancellations/changes.
- One of the important airlines at PDX, serving all Western destinations and into the Midwest.
Delta Air Lines:
- Main Cabin fares include 1 carry-on and 1 personal item.
- Excellent connecting flights due to SLC and MSP hub airports, as well as the SkyMiles program and reliable in-flight Wi-Fi.
United Airlines:
- Standard Economy fares include 1 carry-on and 1 personal item.
- Good connections thanks to its DEN and SFO hub airports, which will help connect passengers for both domestic and international connections.
American Airlines:
- All Main Cabin fares include 1 carry-on and 1 personal item.
- Connections at DFW and PHX airport hubs, which will provide an easy way for travelers from the South and Southwest regions to fly into Portland.
Hidden Fees: What You Need To Look For Before You Book Your Flights
Basic Economy travelers coming from Portland have to keep an eye open for some sticker shock since even full-service airlines limit bags and seats on the cheapest fare tiers.
Before pressing the "book" button, make sure you:
- The fare code will be eligible for an overhead bag and not a mere personal item which can fit under the seat.
- In some carriers, seat selection fee can equal the amount of the second ticket's price.
- Cancellation/Change policy-Basic Economy of full-service carriers will be almost always non-refundable.
- Protection/trip insurance is either included in your fare quote or clearly marked as an opt-out fee.
When looking up fare quotes, you can always use more than one site as there might be differences in Portland fares when all additional fees are accounted for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions visitors commonly ask before travelling:
