Best new airport amenities of the past year

Because it was in 2021, this previous 12 months was a difficult 12 months for air journey. Airports welcomed again vacationers in numbers near, and in lots of instances above, 2019 ranges and scrambled to get again to the enterprise of updating terminals, refreshing facilities and introducing new companies.

As we head into the brand new 12 months, right here’s a glance again at a few of the finest facilities and occasions we noticed at airports in 2022.

In January, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) showered passengers, airport workers and greeters with free compliments in honor of National Compliment Day.

The airport’s “Kindness Takes Flight” crew dished out flattering feedback resembling “That shade is ideal for you,” and “I wager you sweat glitter,” till the “complement of compliments” have been exhausted, mentioned an airport spokesperson.

Jacksonville Worldwide Airport (JAX), Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL) and a number of other others celebrated Valentine’s Day in February with free carnations for vacationers.

Others serenaded passengers with love songs and handed out candies. In Las Vegas, the Marriage Capital of the World, the Clark County Clerk’s Workplace introduced again its pop-up marriage license bureau to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

In March, a 28-pound bunny named Alex the Great joined a pig named LiLou and the dozen or so canine within the Wag Brigade pet remedy program at San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO).

Already well-known for its free movie show and its iconic carpet, Portland International Airport (PDX) debuted a new bar, Juliett, honoring women in aviation.

Portraits of notable feminine aviators resembling Bessie Coleman, the primary African American feminine pilot, and Mildred “Micky” Axton, the primary girl to pilot a B-29, mark the doorway. Many cocktails and specifically crafted beers on the menu are impressed by themes of aviation and journey.

Airports didn’t disappoint us final 12 months when April Fools’ Day rolled round with loads of pranks and pretend guarantees.

Among the many finest was Denver International Airport’s (DEN) debut of a candle line that includes aromas resembling Jet Gasoline and Mustang Musk (a nod to considered one of DEN’s most controversial artwork items). Canada’s Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG) introduced that it will enhance airport signage by “translating” the whole lot into the common language of emojis.

April additionally marked the 20th anniversary of the date the Transportation Security Administration first began screening passengers at U.S. airports.

On April 30, 2002, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) was the primary airport to have its checkpoint federalized. The TSA now screens passengers at checkpoints throughout the nation. On numerous social media platforms, the company additionally retains the general public updated on alarming and, at occasions, amusing checkpoint “finds” resembling a gun hidden inside a turkey or disassembled and packed inside peanut butter jars.

In Could, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) put in a 33-foot-long mock aircraft cabin in considered one of its terminals.

As soon as used to coach Delta Air Traces flight attendants and pilots in emergency evacuation procedures, the cabin now provides a spot the place individuals with sensory, bodily or cognitive disabilities, or these with a concern of flying, can take a look at out the airplane expertise and acquire confidence as a traveler. A number of different airports plan to comply with MSP’s lead.

Placed on maintain throughout the pandemic, occasions on the outside public house at Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Lodge have been “reactivated” in June.

From mid-June to mid-July, the house hosted a free miniature golf course. Additionally, from mid-December by Jan. 1, 2023, anybody might take pleasure in free ice skating, together with free skate leases.

Touring is irritating. Life could be irritating. Typically all of it will get to be an excessive amount of.

That’s why Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) timed the launch of a long-running psychological well being marketing campaign to coincide with the introduction of a nationwide suicide and disaster lifeline telephone quantity (988) that went reside in July.

Scheduled to run by December 2024, the marketing campaign options 9 digital screens within the terminal. Every is 7 toes tall, with 55-inch screens that present numerous and inclusive messages in regards to the significance of psychological well being and sources out there for these searching for assist.

In August, we have been flushed with pleasure to be taught that two U.S. airports were nominated for America’s Best Restroom 2022. Every year the competition chooses 10 revolutionary and hygienic public restrooms as finalists and invitations the general public to assist choose the toilet that will get to sit down on the winner’s throne.

Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) was nominated for an revolutionary all-gender restroom suite. Ultimately, it was Tampa International Airport (TPA) that cleaned up in October, successful the competition with its colourful, new, domestically themed restrooms. TPA celebrated with balloons and bathroom paper-shaped cookies and donated prize cash to an area charity.

Whereas it was within the operating for America’s Finest Restroom, Tampa Worldwide Airport additionally put the ending touches on probably the greatest airport facilities of the 12 months: an impossible-to-miss 21-foot-tall sculpture of a pink flamingo by Matthew Mazzotta titled “Residence.”

Two different nice airport facilities returned to airports in November and December.

In a transfer we’re stunned different airports haven’t adopted, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) introduced again its winter coat check 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 choose them up on the way in which house.

Additionally, passengers at San Diego International Airport (SAN) can order considered one of two limited-edition beers brewed with purified water reclaimed from the drippings of air-con models connected to jet bridges.

It’s not as yucky as it might sound. As a part of the airport’s water stewardship program, the drippings are purified utilizing reverse osmosis and ozone disinfection after which despatched off to San Diego’s East Village Brewing Firm, which has brewed a Hoppy Travels IPA and a Pre-Flight Pils for the airport.