Best new airport amenities of the past year

Because 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 among the greatest facilities and occasions we noticed at airports in 2022.

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

The airport’s “Kindness Takes Flight” workforce dished out flattering feedback similar to “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 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 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 similar to 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 yr when April Fools’ Day rolled round with loads of pranks and faux guarantees.

Among the many greatest was Denver International Airport’s (DEN) debut of a candle line that includes aromas similar to Jet Gasoline and Mustang Musk (a nod to one in all DEN’s most controversial artwork items). Canada’s Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG) introduced that it could enhance airport signage by “translating” every thing 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” similar to a gun hidden inside a turkey or disassembled and packed inside peanut butter jars.

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

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

Placed on maintain throughout the pandemic, occasions on the out of doors public area at Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Resort have been “reactivated” in June.

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

Touring is nerve-racking. Life could be nerve-racking. Generally 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 various and inclusive messages in regards to the significance of psychological well being and sources accessible for these in search of assist.

In August, we have been flushed with pleasure to study 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 decide 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. In the long run, it was Tampa International Airport (TPA) that cleaned up in October, profitable the competition with its colourful, new, regionally 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 among the best airport facilities of the yr: an impossible-to-miss 21-foot-tall sculpture of a pink flamingo by Matthew Mazzotta titled “Dwelling.”

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 check service.

For a really affordable $2 per day or $10 per journey, vacationers heading to warm-weather locations can verify coats, hats, gloves and different cold-weather gadgets on the airport and decide them up on the way in which house.

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

It’s not as yucky as it could 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.