At one time, outdoor observation decks and patios were common at airports and many modern-day travelers and avgeeks have pleasant memories of going to the airport just to see planes land and take off.
Unfortunately, many airport observation decks were closed due to modern-day concerns about security.
But some airports, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Denver International Airport (DEN), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK/T5 – JetBlue), and some others still have them.
Others are adding outdoor patios as a new and very welcome amenity.
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), on California’s central coast, is the newest airport to add outdoor space for passengers to relax before their flight.
MRY’s Outdoor Courtyard is located post-security, at Gate 1, and offers comfortable seating and great views of the runway, Monterey Bay, and the surrounding area.
There is also an outdoor pet relief area for travelers with furry companions.
Here are some snaps of the outdoor space and the view.
Nonstop routes at MRY include Burbank, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Check out the view!
And, while Monterey Regional Airport is small, another great amenity is Chef Tim Wood’s latest venture, Woody’s at the Airport.
Located pre-security, on the upper level of the airport, the restaurant also overlooks the runway and the bay. (And they validate parking).
Do you have a favorite outdoor patio or observation deck at an airport? Let us know about it in the comments and we’ll update the list.
(Photos above courtesy Monterey Airport and SeeMonterey.com)
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