When traveling, a sight that is often overlooked and underappreciated by most tourists is coincidentally the most vital step in the whole vacation process — the airport.
What were once structures built for a simple terminal for travelers, are now architectural marvels and destinations. But it’s seldom we stop to pay any attention to the detail and creative vision that went into the planning and construction of the airport.
This past weekend, I flew to Cleveland to see my family. My mother works for a major airline and although her position with the company has afforded me free flight privileges, I am required to fly under “standby status,” meaning, if there is an unsold seat on a flight, my butt will be warming it. However, if the flight is booked full, I’ll most likely be enjoying the $9 beer special in an airport bars until an available flight leaves.
This weekend I was forced to spend some extra time in the Newark, NJ, and IAH Houston airports, between connecting flights. Aside from my realization that most NJ inhabitants really aren’t much different than the typecast Housewives, hairdressers and shore-going partiers that act as televised ambassadors of the state to the rest of the world; I really took to my surroundings.
Airports have their own culture and identity. Cities worldwide are rewriting budgets, doing extensive planning and renovations to turn our airports into miniature, self-sustained communities. Restaurants, storefronts, hotels and artwork are just some of the aspects now being taken into account when planning new airport projects.
Take Phoenix Sky Harbor for example, if you’ve recently picked up a friend, dropped off your parents or booked a flight yourself you must have noticed the gargantuan structures being constructed over the terminals. This is the beginning of the PHX Sky Train project, which will move about 80 percent of Sky Harbor’s passengers between the light rail, east economy parking and Terminal 4. Additional expansions will ensue.
Other airports utilize similar passenger transport systems and studies have shown reduced numbers in road traffic, curb congestion and pollution.
Denver International Airport's most striking feature is it’s roof. Designed to emulate the Rocky Mountains, where it is located, the structure is made from a tensile fiberglass material, giving the illusion that the airport is a series of interconnected tents. Travelers and employees at Denver International walk across a pedestrian bridge that stretches over one of the runways, affording patrons awesome views of planes taxiing below as they connect terminals.
Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport in Japan is, literally an artificial island built to withstand typhoons and hurricanes and is recognized as one of the 10 Engineering Monuments of the Millennium by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
No longer do travelers have to worry about forgetting something at home, most airports boast as many if not more stores, restaurants and hotels than most shopping malls. There’s even a Bass Pro Shop in the Houston airport.
As my four-hour layover came to an end, I wasn’t really disappointed about my loss of time. I developed a newfound appreciation for airports.
Next time you find yourself facing time in an airport, don’t sweat it. Go for a walk. Who knows what you will find.
Submit airport anomalies or swap travel stories with Ben at bkarris@asu.edu
