The Stuck at the Airport team, like Santa, keeps a list of airports that are very, very good.
And we’re happy to share our round-up of some of the best airport amenties we spotted in 2024.
If we missed your favorite, let us know!
Note: our first first appeared on the The Points Guy site in a slighty different format.
Surprise and delight events at IND’s Civic Plaza
While most airports have put key services and amenities behind security, Indianapolis International Airport (IND) maintains an active and inviting pre-security central hall called the Civic Plaza that has a 35-foot-high ceiling, a 5-story window wall and plenty of dining, shopping and art.
And they put it to clever use.
In January, when Indianapolis hosted NBA All-Star Weekend 2024, a full-size (94 by 50-foot) replica of an NBC basketball court made with vinyl adhesive appeared in the Civic Plaza. Free throws and pickup games were not allowed, but it was a big hit.
When Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour came to town in November, the airport turned Civic Plaza into Swift City, complete with Girl Scouts making and handing out friendship bracelets, a 30-foot-tall image of Taylor Swift, live music, concert-themed menu and limited-time souvenirs.
And in December, Santa Claus did a practice run at IND, racing across the taxiway in a firetruck and entering Civic Plaza on an airport-themed carpet.
SFO’s Silent Disco
In keeping with its status as a “quiet” airport with minimal overhead announcements, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) introduced a silent disco in February appropriately dubbed the “San Fran-disco.”
For a month, passengers were invited to let their hair down and dance along to San Francisco-themed music using their own headphones in a specially decorated post-security area of Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
Out of this world rocks land at Portland International Jetport
In March, airports in and around the path of totality for the April 8th total solar eclipse were gearing up for an influx of passenger traffic.
Building on the excitement, Maine’s Portland International Jetport (PWM) debuted an exhibit of 18 meteorites. Titled Fly Me to the Moon, the exhibit includes meteorites on loan for 5 years from the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum’s world class meteorite collection. The specimens include the second largest piece of moon on Earth, pieces of Mars and an iconic Gibeon meteorite that looks a lot like Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.”
Airports get silly for April Fool’s Day
Many airports around the country lean into April Fool’s Day.
This year Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) shared a photo of a plane entirely covered in sticky notes.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) introduced Travel Tubes, a “human pneumatic tube system allowing you to pre-check in the Ticketing Hall and then whiz straight to the gate.”
And Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) teased the opening of an underground tunnel with a major art installation titled “River Tunnel” by claiming that the tunnel would be filled with water. “Disneyesque-type boats will replace moving walkways and paddles will be provided for passengers who want to row their own boats,” SLC claimed.
More ways to visit airports without a ticket to fly
A growing list of airports offer gate pass programs that allow non-ticketed guests to go through the TSA security checkpoint to greet an arriving passenger, spend more time with a friend or family member or just hang out in the terminal enjoying the art, shops and restaurants. You can apply for a gate pass at airports in Seattle, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Orlando and in a handful of other cities.
In July, Nashville International Airport (BNA) became the latest airport to come onboard with its version of the gate pass program. The BNA Passport gives non-ticketed passengers the opportunity to enjoy the airport’s robust offering of live music on multiple stages and its ‘drinks to go’ policy which allows a post-security mosey around the airport with a cocktail or beer.
My First Flight buttons at Norfolk International Airport
Your first flight on an airplane is a special occasion. No matter if it takes place when you’re a kid or an adult.
The team at Virginia’s Norfolk International Airport (ORF) gets that. And this year they bought a button-making kit so they could create souvenir buttons to help passengers mark and remember that giddy, special day feeling.
ORF’s “My First Flight buttons” are available at the airport information booth and the airport’s Volunteer Ambassadors have a stash as well.
Portland International Airport opens a tree-lined main terminal
In August, Portland International Airport (PDX) opened its expansive and reimagined main terminal designed by architecture firm ZGF. Part of a $2.15 billion makeover, the impressive forest-like pre-security space has a soaring timber roof, the latest in check-in and checkpoint technology, more than 70 live trees, more than 5,000 live plants and plenty of art, shops and restaurants.
Stadium seating in the main terminal are perfect spots for hanging out before a flight with friends and family or listening to live music. And there’s a treat in the lounge area atop each bank of seating. PDX has faithfully recreated the much-loved teal-and-purple carpet pattern that inspired thousands of shoe selfies.
SLC brings back its world map
In 2024, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) completed the third phase of its redevelopment by opening a new underground tunnel, welcoming major new art installations and surprising the traveling public with the announcement that the airport’s iconic terrazzo World Map first installed in 1960 had been saved.
When the new airport terminal was being built, engineers announced that they couldn’t save the map. But they did. And the map is now back on view in the Concourse B Plaza.
Long Beach Airports caps off its centennial year. With pickleball.
Long beach Airport ( LGB) celebrated it centennial in 2024 with a year-long campaign that included the reopening of its Historic Terminal, issuing a series of collectible series of posters in the style of Work Projects Administration’s national park posters, installed a time capsule and by jumping into the pickleball craze with pop-up pickleball court, just in time for holiday travels.
Santa’s Layover Lounge at DEN Airport
And Denver International Airport (DEN) created a pop-up lounge for Santa and other weary travelers.
In addition to holiday cocktails and snacks, passengers can cozy up to the Rudolph’s Refuel Stations – a hot cocoa bar – through the first week of 2025.
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