Last year’s best new airport services

As in 2021, this past year was a challenging year for air travel. Airports that welcomed travelers recently, and in many cases exceeded the 2019 standards, rushed to modernize terminals, improve amenities, and introduce new services.

As we head into the new year, here are some of the best amenities and events we’ve seen at airports in 2022.

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

The airport’s “Kindness Takes Flight” team has been throwing out snarky comments like “That color is perfect for you” and “That color is perfect for you” and “Compliment complement” until it’s exhausted.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and many others celebrated Valentine’s Day in February with free carnations for travelers.

They serenaded other passengers with love songs and offered chocolates. In Las Vegas, the marriage capital of the world, the Clark County Clerk’s Office has brought its pop-up marriage license office to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

In March, a 28-pound rabbit named Alex the Great joined a pig named Lillu and dozens of other dogs at the Wag Brigade Pet Therapy Program at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Already known for its free movie theater and Oriental Carpet, Portland International Airport (PDX) has opened Juliet’s, a new bar celebrating women in aviation.

Famous female aviators such as Bessie Coleman, the first African-American female pilot, and Mildred “Mickey” Axton, the first female pilot to pilot the B-29, mark the entrance. Many cocktails and specially crafted beers on the menu are inspired by aviation and travel themes.

Airports don’t disappoint when April Fools’ Day rolls around with lots of pranks and false promises.

Among the best, Denver International Airport (DEN) debuted a line of candles with scents like jet fuel and Mustang Musk, while Canada’s Edmonton International Airport (YEG) announced it will revamp its airport signage by “translating” everything into a universal emoji language.

April also marked the 20th anniversary of the Transportation Security Administration screening passengers at U.S. airports.

In the year On April 30, 2002, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) became the first airport to federalize the checkpoint. TSA now screens passengers at checkpoints across the country. The agency posts information on various social media sites about the public’s sad and sometimes funny checkpoints, such as a gun hidden in a turkey or torn apart and sealed in a jar of peanut butter.

In May, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has installed a 33-foot model airplane cabin in one of its terminals.

Once used to train Delta Air Lines flight attendants and pilots in emergency evacuation procedures, the cabin now provides a place for people with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities or a fear of flying to test the flight experience and gain confidence. traveller. Several other airports plan to follow MSP’s lead.

During the outbreak, outdoor public space events at Denver International Airport (DEN) between Jeppeson Terminal and the Westin Hotel were “revitalized” in June.

From mid-June to mid-July, the venue hosts a free miniature golf course. Also, from mid-December to January 1, 2023, anyone can enjoy free skiing, including free ski rentals.

Traveling is stressful. Life can be stressful. Sometimes everything becomes too much.

That’s why Pittsburgh International Airport launched a long-running mental health campaign to coincide with the launch of a suicide and emergency lifeline (988) that went live in July.

The campaign, which is scheduled to run until December 2024, will feature nine digital displays in the terminal. Each is 7 feet tall and has 55 inch screens that display diverse and inclusive messages about the importance of mental health and the availability of help to those seeking it.

In August, we were thrilled to learn that two US airports were nominated for America’s Best Restrooms in 2022. Each year, the competition selects 10 innovative and hygienic public toilet finalists and invites the public to vote for the loo to be placed in the competition. The winner’s throne.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has been nominated for an innovative all-gender restroom. Finally, it was Tampa International Airport (TPA) that cleaned up in October, beating the competition with colorful, new and locally-themed restrooms. TPA celebrated with cookies shaped like balloons and toilet paper and donated prizes to a local charity.

In the run-up to America’s Best Restroom, Tampa International Airport has put the finishing touches on the year’s best airport amenities: a 21-foot-tall pink flamingo that can’t miss the title. “at home”

Two other excellent airport facilities returned to airports in November and December.

We’re surprised other airports haven’t followed suit.Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) has brought back its winter coat check service.

For a very reasonable $2 per day or $10 per trip, travelers to warm-weather destinations can check in coats, hats, gloves and other cold-weather gear at the airport and take them home.

Also at San Diego International Airport (SAN), passengers can order one of two limited-edition beers brewed with distilled water from air-conditioned units attached to jet bridges.

It’s not as sweet as it sounds. As part of the airport’s water treatment program, the drip is purified using reverse osmosis and ozone purification and then sent to San Diego’s East Village Brewing Company, which brews Hoppy Travels IPA and pre-flight ales for the airport.