Simply because it was in 2021, final yr was a difficult yr for air journey. Airports welcomed vacationers in numbers near, and in lots of instances greater than, 2019 ranges and rushed again to the enterprise of upgrading terminals, revamping facilities and introducing new providers.
As we head into the brand new yr, here is a take a look at a number of the finest facilities and occasions we have seen at airports in 2022.
In January, Reno-Tahoe Worldwide Airport (RNO) showered passengers, airport staff and greeters with free reward in honor of Nationwide Equipment Day.
The airport’s “Kindness Takes Flight” workforce dished out flattering feedback like “That coloration is ideal for you” and “I guess you sweat glitter” till the “complement of compliments” ran out, an airport spokesperson mentioned.
Jacksonville Worldwide Airport (JAX), Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL) and several other others celebrated Valentine’s Day in February with free carnations for vacationers.
Others serenaded passengers with love songs and handed out goodies. In Las Vegas, the Marriage Capital of the World, the Clark County Clerk’s Workplace introduced again its pop-up marriage license workplace to Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS).
In March, a 28-pound bunny named Alex the Nice joined a pig named LiLou and a dozen canine on the Wag Brigade pet remedy program at San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO).
Already well-known for its free movie show and iconic carpet, Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) has opened a brand new bar, Juliett, honoring girls in aviation.
Portraits of notable feminine aviators resembling Bessie Coleman, the primary African-American feminine pilot, and Mildred “Micky” Axton, the primary lady to fly a B-29, mark the doorway. Many cocktails and specifically crafted beers on the menu are impressed by aviation and journey themes.
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Airports did not allow us to down final yr when April Idiot’s Day rolled round with loads of pranks and false guarantees.
Among the many finest was the Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) debut of a line of scented candles like Jet Gas and Mustang Musk (a nod to one in every of DEN’s most controversial artworks). Canada’s Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG) introduced it could enhance airport signage by “translating” every part into the common language of emojis.
April additionally marked the 20th anniversary of the date the Transportation Safety Administration started screening passengers at US airports.
On April 30, 2002, Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) grew to become the primary airport to have its federalized checkpoint. The TSA now screens passengers at checkpoints throughout the nation. On varied social media platforms, the company additionally retains the general public up to date on alarming and typically humorous “finds” at checkpoints, like a gun hidden inside a turkey or disassembled and packed inside peanut butter jars.
In Could, Minneapolis-St. Paul Worldwide Airport (MSP) put in a 33-foot-long simulated airplane cabin in one in every of its terminals.
The cabin, as soon as used to coach Delta Air Strains pilots and flight attendants in emergency evacuation procedures, now gives a spot the place individuals with sensory, bodily, or cognitive disabilities, or these with a worry of fly, they’ll strive the airplane expertise and achieve confidence as a traveler A number of different airports plan to observe MSP’s lead.
Suspended in the course of the pandemic, occasions within the outside public area at Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Lodge had been “reactivated” in June.
From mid-June to mid-July, the area hosted a free mini golf course. Plus, from mid-December to January 1, 2023, anybody can get pleasure from free ice skating, together with free skate rental.
Touring is worrying. Life may be worrying. Generally every part turns into an excessive amount of.
That is why Pittsburgh Worldwide Airport (PIT) timed the launch of a long-running psychological well being marketing campaign to coincide with the introduction of a nationwide disaster and suicide hotline quantity (988) that launched in July.
Scheduled to run till December 2024, the marketing campaign options 9 digital displays within the terminal. Every stands 7 ft tall, with 55-inch screens displaying numerous and inclusive messages concerning the significance of psychological well being and the sources accessible to these looking for assist.
In August, we had been thrilled to study that two US airports had been nominated for America’s Finest Restroom 2022. Annually, the competition selects 10 revolutionary and hygienic public restrooms as finalists and invitations the general public to assist select the bathroom that fits them finest. sits on the winner’s throne.
Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) was nominated for an revolutionary all-gender restroom suite. Ultimately, it was Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) that obtained cleaned up in October, profitable the competition with its colourful new locally-themed restrooms. TPA celebrated with balloons and bathroom paper cookies and donated the prize cash to an area charity.
Whereas within the working for finest restroom in America, Tampa Worldwide Airport additionally put the ending touches on among the finest airport facilities of the yr: an impossible-to-miss 21-foot-tall sculpture of a pink flamingo by Matthew Mazzotta titled “Home .”
Two different glorious airport providers returned to the airports in November and December.
In a transfer we’re shocked different airports have not adopted, Milwaukee Mitchell Worldwide Airport (MKE) has introduced again its winter coat check-in service.
For a really affordable $2 per day or $10 per journey, vacationers heading to warm-weather locations can test coats, hats, gloves, and different cold-weather objects on the airport and decide them up on the way in which residence.
As well as, passengers at San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN) can order one in every of two limited-edition beers made with purified water reclaimed from dripping air con models hooked up to the jet bridges.
It isn’t as gross as it could appear. As a part of the airport’s water stewardship program, the drips are purified utilizing reverse osmosis and ozone disinfection after which shipped to San Diego’s East Village Brewing Firm, which has brewed a Hoppy Travels IPA and Pre-Flight Pils for the airport. airport.