As it was in 2021, this previous yr was a difficult yr 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 providers.
As we head into the brand new yr, right here’s a glance again at a number of the greatest 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 color is perfect for you,” and “I guess you sweat glitter,” till the “complement of compliments” have been exhausted, stated an airport spokesperson.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Philadelphia International 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 goodies. In Las Vegas, the Marriage Capital of the World, the Clark County Clerk’s Office 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 International Airport (SFO).
Already well-known for its free movie show and its iconic carpet, Portland International Airport (PDX) debuted a brand new bar, Juliett, honoring ladies 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.
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Airports didn’t disappoint us final yr when April Fools’ Day rolled round with loads of pranks and faux guarantees.
Among one of the best was Denver International Airport’s (DEN) debut of a candle line that includes aromas resembling Jet Fuel and Mustang Musk (a nod to one among DEN’s most controversial artwork items). Canada’s Edmonton International Airport (YEG) introduced that it will enhance airport signage by “translating” all the things into the common language of emojis.
April additionally marked the twentieth anniversary of the date the Transportation Security Administration first started 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 varied social media platforms, the company additionally retains the general public updated on alarming and, at instances, amusing checkpoint “finds” resembling a gun hidden inside a turkey or disassembled and packed inside peanut butter jars.
In May, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) put in a 33-foot-long mock plane cabin in one among its terminals.
Once used to coach Delta Air Lines flight attendants and pilots in emergency evacuation procedures, the cabin now gives 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. Several different airports plan to comply with MSP’s lead.
Put on maintain throughout the pandemic, occasions on the out of doors public area at Denver International Airport (DEN) between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel have been “reactivated” in June.
From mid-June to mid-July, the area hosted a free miniature golf course. Also, from mid-December by way of Jan. 1, 2023, anybody might get pleasure from free ice skating, together with free skate leases.
Traveling is worrying. Life will be worrying. Sometimes 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 cellphone quantity (988) that went reside in July.
Scheduled to run by way of December 2024, the marketing campaign options 9 digital displays within the terminal. Each is 7 ft tall, with 55-inch screens that present various and inclusive messages in regards to the significance of psychological well being and sources obtainable for these in search of assist.
In August, we have been flushed with pleasure to study that two U.S. airports have been nominated for America’s Best Restroom 2022. Each yr the competition chooses 10 modern and hygienic public restrooms as finalists and invitations the general public to assist decide the john that will get to sit down on the winner’s throne.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was nominated for an modern all-gender restroom suite. In the top, it was Tampa International Airport (TPA) that cleaned up in October, successful the competition with its colourful, new, regionally themed restrooms. TPA celebrated with balloons and bathroom paper-shaped cookies and donated prize cash to a neighborhood charity.
While it was within the working for America’s Best Restroom, Tampa International 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 nice airport facilities returned to airports in November and December.
In a transfer we’re shocked different airports haven’t adopted, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) introduced again its winter coat test service.
For a really cheap $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 best way house.
Also, passengers at San Diego International Airport (SAN) can order one among 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 Company, which has brewed a Hoppy Travels IPA and a Pre-Flight Pils for the airport.