What Features Would You Like At Airports?

DTWNWA · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:22 am

This is a continuation of a thread I started this morning on innovative ways airports can generate revenues.

My question is, what additional features would you like to see at the airport. For me, it would be movie theaters nereby or at the airport.

CanadaEH · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:29 am

A Strip Club! Think about it.. you're waiting for a flight, you have time to kill. Why spend it in a lounge when you can spend it at a.. Strip Club!! Smile

rajivvyas · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:44 am

This is what I would like outside of the security area: A movie theater, broadway and video game parlours.

Guest · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:45 am

While I do agree a strip club would be fantastic, I have to live with the fact that it will probably not happen.

I would like to see more artwork and even small museums dedicated to aviation. During layover I like to walk around and it would be nice to see even more of that in more airports.

WNfan · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:48 am

Observation platforms.

rajivvyas · Sat Aug 09, 2003 6:55 am

I think we need airport cities. Which means that there are pleanty of things to do in a around the airport. Including fine dining, movies, boradways and museums. And you need people mover that would bring you to the airport from nearby places.

If the hub and spoke system is broken, as many consultants think it is, we would need to generate more O&D traffic. And this would be one way of doing it.

Tom in NO · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:03 am

I think that the best idea to come along in many years has been the creation of the Smithsonian Air and Space Annex opening at IAD later this year. It will prove to be both popular and an excellent money maker for both the Smithsonian and Dulles Airport.

The basic question we are always facing is how best to maximize revenues in existing airport-owned and controlled space.

Many airports (including MSY) have video game parlors. These include both the traditional type (PacMan, etc), and the gaming type (video poker, etc). MSY has both.

As I see it, the best way to do it, inside of terminals, would be in the food, and news and gifts, area. Eateries that cater to the local area (MSY would be Cajun) are good examples. Mix in a couple of national-type fast food joints for the traveler who's on the go. Shops that show local products (PDX is a good example, we have one, as well) seem to do well.

As for nearby areas, I'd look for something that attracts lots of people. A shopping mall would be my first choice. Theaters at the mall would work, as well. In-terminal theaters probably would not work, due to the space requirements.

Tom at MSY

Tom in NO · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:05 am

Oh, yes, Southwestfan reminded me, bringing back observation decks would work, so long as they met security requirements.

As an aside, we're in the process of developing plans for an observation area, not in the terminal.

Tom at MSY

ramme · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:12 am

I think if any US based airport would copy only 10% of the amenities available at AMS, boredom would be gone while transferring. It also amazes my how different terminals at the same airport can be so different. A while ago I was transferring with United at IAD. Let's be honest, the United terminal at IAD sucks. Very crampy and they don't have air. I was amazed on how the International terminal (I believe terminal B) looked.

ntspelich · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:15 am

This is what I would like outside of the security area: A movie theater, broadway and video game parlours.

I know that the old Greater Pittsburgh International Airport used to have a lot of amenities that you don't seen in most airports today. Included were a doctor's office, hair salon, photography studio, a rather large movie theater and a restaurant/night club. And it was built in the 50's, maybe we're taking a step backwards.

NS

funflyer · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:16 am

I would LOVE to see flight sims in airports.

cancidas · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:21 am

a hanger for my 737-700BBJ (polarbear 1) and my Bell 414 (polarbear 2), nad some commericl traffic. say jetblue, southwest and to make phil happy, song. oh yea, i don't want to pay for any of it. Smile/happy/getting dizzy

planemannyc · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:30 am

Theme parks and roller coaster rides Smile

Gyms...maybe even running tracks -- after a long 10 hour flight, a workout may be great. I wish more airports would have hotels as part of the terminal facilities -- no need to leave the airport -- just go up and get a 5 hour sleep on a 7 hour layover. Of course, shower facilities. Swimming pools? And I agree, movie theaters and museums. And for free -- a lot more power outlets and no question, wi-fi capabilities.

DTWNWA · Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:31 am

It does look like we are taking a step backwards. Most of the big hubs in the U.S. are so boring. Haven't flown to Amsterdam but I can bet they are better than most U.S. airports.

Another interesting concept would be a small liabrary. It could be inside the terminal or closeby so people who don't have tickets could still use it.

rajivvyas · Sat Aug 09, 2003 8:48 am

Theme parks and roller coaster rides would be really nice and I think a Gym with running tracks would be great. Swimming pool, absoulately.

DTW already has a hotel at the airport and it is pretty neat. I just wish there were more hotels instead of just one or two.

DTWNWA · Sat Aug 09, 2003 10:13 am

How about Casinos!!! That would be great. Some gambling at the airport like Las Vegas.

raven111 · Sat Aug 09, 2003 10:26 am

I think they should have observation decks. There are very few that have them. They should also have a live feed from the Tower so you can hear what is going on.

I also love the Strip Club idea too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

greenguy01 · Sat Aug 09, 2003 10:29 am

As for the flight simulators... IND used to have a cheesy simulator that I have spent hours on waiting for delayed flights. I don't know if it is still there.

ntspelich · Sat Aug 09, 2003 10:30 am

Gyms...maybe even running tracks -- after a long 10 hour flight, a workout may be great

PIT had a gym, located at the front of the airside terminal, right as you go up the escalator from the underground trams between Lindstrom and airiest. Closed up about 3 years ago, I'd say. I guess the vast majority of members were airport employees and PIT based crews. But, I guess that wasn't enough members to keep it afloat.

How about Casinos!!! That would be great. Some gambling at the airport like Las Vegas.

No, beyond LAS, I say go for a full fledged casino, a la Holland Casino at AMS. Between spotting at the observation deck and spending some time there, who even wants to go on the plane? (especially if it's an old DC-10 from NW.)

mas a330 · Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:18 pm

Theme parks and roller coaster rides

I agree! There are plans to build one near KUL, not sure what happened to that.

An observation deck would be a good idea too. But the feature that i would like most of all is air traffic, and lots of it Big grin

DTWNWA · Sat Aug 09, 2003 10:23 pm

I haven't been to AMS but can someone tell me what are some of the interesting features there that US airpoirts are missing?

dispatch · Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:58 am

I'm surprised nobody mentions enough bars Big grin

Some airports I've been to I could not get a drink because only one or two little bars were so full of travelers, there was no way to get in and order something. One of those was the already mentioned UA terminal at Dulles.

Peter

trickijedi · Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:45 am

Let's go back to basics. Put a smoke room in there.

jhooper · Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:51 am

I would LOVE to see flight sims in airports.

Many airports do have flight simulators. Of course, we won't be getting anywhere near them.

Yea, definitely more observation platforms. Roller coasters would be great; beats the hell out of an ordinary airport tram! Gyms with saunas, steam rooms, showers, would be great. So would dormatory-style sleeping arrangements for those of us who have to spend many hours or possibly all night in the airport (i.e. the USO lounge in SEA).

ripcordd · Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:05 am

Day rooms with showers you can rent a room by the hour to rest until your next flight sometimes its 6 or 7 hours btwn flights/Walgreens/Arcade/Free wireless internet SEA already has it/more local food places/salons.

petertenthije · Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:23 am

I haven't been to AMS but can someone tell me what are some of the interesting features there that US airpoirts are missing?

I haven't been to the US, so I can not compare but I'll list the features Amsterdam has and you can make up your mind...

Museum: everyone knows the Aviodome was there, but they are now gone. There still is another museum though, the Rijksmuseum has a small branch at Schiphol. Old Dutch and Flemish master paintings and stuff.

Observation terrace, free of charge and the biggest I have yet seen. In fact, if I add up all the square metres of observation terrace of all other airports I visited (10 or so), then Schiphol's still is larger!

Shop till you drop, both landside and airside.

"Privium" (I believe that's the name). This is a special check in system for very frequent flyers. It works by iris scan.

Casino. Their casino claims to be the only casino in the world with clocks. Big grin

Showers.

Communication equipment, including internet computers (you do have to pay for them)

Airside hotel (Hotel Mercure)

massage

Some of the best transport links in the world. It has a train station with local, regional, national and international trains. Every station in Holland can be reached with no more than 2 changes, most with only 1 and a lot can be reached directly. Next to that many busses and shuttle busses.

DTWNWA · Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:53 am

What do you mean by :
# Shop till you drop, both landside and airside.

# "Privium" (I believe that's the name). This is a special check in system for very frequent flyers. It works by iris scan.

# Casino. Their casino claims to be the only casino in the world with clocks.

DoorsToManual · Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:59 am

Shop till you drop - basically, LOTS of shops.

Privium - well, the explanation was obvious wasn't it?

I haven't been to any casino before, but I presume they don't have clocks so as to not distract the players (oh, we've been in here too long....) whereas in AMS, for obvious reasons, a clock might be desirable.

Yes, AMS is great.

My addition: Live bands.

FLAIRPORT · Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:12 am

what about a hockey rink?

petertenthije · Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:22 am

The advantage of Privium is that there is a special database with all your information. You are only entered into this database when you fly a hell of a lot. The advantage of this system is that there is a seperate check in line which goes very fast.

Another advantage (for the airport) is that checking it is faster and there is no way to cheat the system. The only way you could cheat is to steal someone's eye. My bet is that the police would notice when someone came in with an eye on spirits.

I believe (some) airport personnel that work airside also have been entered into the Privium database.

BTW, airside is everything after the security check (passengers, employee's) and landside is everything before going through the security check. At AMS there is a shopping center both airside for the passengers and landside for the other people, for instance those that drop of passengers, enthiousisasts etc.

PW100 · Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:33 am

Well, Peter got the most of AMS already,
Just another few to add to his list of AMS features:

* Travel clinic - For vaccinations and personal health advise for worldwide travel;
* Silence center/Place of Worship for all religions, including church services and Pastoral Care;
* Shower services - No need for hotels to fresh up after a long haul trip upon arrival/transfer;
* Airside hotel, 7 hotels within 10 minute shuttle ride [not counting Asmterdam hotels which are 15+ min;
* Communications Rentcenter - Rent a mobile phone, [notebook]computer, American handsets etc.;
* business center - As a pax, you can rent fully equipped office space, secretarial support available;
* In terminal Air Cargo facilities - Dedicated to oversize/overweight/excess luggage that needs to be transported as air cargo;
* Disasbled assitance - all sorts of facilities and assitance available;
* Baby rooms - All sort of facilities bor baby care;
* Play areas - For young children: Slides, Carts, Nintendo, Lego, Educational computer games, TV [cartoons/Disney];
* And to repeat Peter: Arguably one of the best and largest panorama decks worldwide, with more than a million visitors per year. And not to mention the numerous [official] spotters facilites and opportunities around the airfield.
* Lots of lounges/restaurants/bars both airside and landside. Unfortunately no strip club yet, although if you have a few hours to spare, you can always take a [guided] tour to Amsterdam's finest . . . !

PW100

BAGSMASHER · Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:24 am

Showers that are cheap and cubicle type capsule hotels the ones like they have in Tokyo.

AA777MIA · Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:51 am

I think airports with an observation area would be great, as long as it was secured...

A gym, I cannot believe that this has not taken off yet at any airport. With passengers having to wait for connections longer, and crews sitting around even more, I would think this would be a gold mine!

Someone mentioned a Simulator? That actually sounds kind of cool... Entertainment of any kind would be welcomed. There are too many bars and TGI Fridays for god sake in the airports...

rajivvyas · Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:56 pm

Live bands would be very interesting. It would draw lot of non-travelers as well and make the airport a place to be.

VgnAtl747 · Mon Aug 11, 2003 12:10 am

My friends and I were discussing this during a 8 hour layover we had in O'Hare last easter. We thought a couple screen movie theatre would be a nice touch. Some form of live entertainment, like if you had touring shows perform at airports before they flew on to their next gig. Also, a wireless LAN would be a nice standard to have at all airports.

DTWNWA · Tue Aug 12, 2003 12:08 am

A jazeed up night club and a swimming pool would be great too.

Tue Aug 12, 2003 1:09 am

3-card Monte dealers all about the airport!

DTWNWA · Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:51 am

Jacuzzi, Sauna and a great barbar shop.

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