Airports With Movie Theaters: A Relaxing Layover Experience

Airports are places where people often have to wait for hours, so it's no surprise that travellers have wondered why they don't have movie theatres to help pass the time. In fact, some airports do have cinemas, including Portland International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, and Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. However, the high cost of airport construction means that the space could be used for more profitable ventures, such as gift shops, bars, and food courts. There are also logistical challenges to consider, such as the constant flow of people in and out of the airport, and the varying lengths of layovers.

Portland International Airport's free microcinema

The microcinema's film selection includes documentaries, music videos, animations, and short fiction, typically ranging from 4 to 10 minutes in length. The films are G-rated and suitable for all audiences, including families travelling with children. The short format ensures that passengers can enjoy a film or two without missing their flights. The microcinema is also equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound technology, including 4K projection and Dolby Atmos sound.

The Hollywood Theatre is a non-profit organisation that collaborates with regional filmmakers to create original content for the microcinema. The theatre also hosts live performances and special events occasionally. The microcinema project is made possible through various partnerships and funding sources, including the Port of Portland, ZGF Architects, Triad Speakers, Planar/Leyard, and Travel Oregon, among others.

The idea behind the microcinema is to showcase the arts and cultural life that make Portland and the Pacific Northwest unique. By featuring local filmmakers, the airport provides travellers with a taste of the region's diverse experiences and artistic talent. This initiative aligns with the airport's goal of celebrating its location and providing passengers with a memorable experience that reflects the character of the city and its surroundings.

The Portland International Airport microcinema offers travellers a refreshing alternative to typical airport pastimes, such as browsing duty-free shops or consuming overpriced food. It provides an opportunity for relaxation and immersion in the local culture during layovers or pre-flight waits, enhancing the overall airport experience for those passing through.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport's See 18 Screening Room

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota became the first airport hub in the United States to have a cinema in 2014. The See 18 Film Screening Room runs 24/7, showing a variety of arthouse films and shorts crafted by the region's top filmmakers, curated with the help of The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The Screening Room opened in August 2014 and is located in Terminal 1 (Lindbergh), which has 117 gates across seven concourses, lettered A-G.

MSP is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines. The airport is also used by several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, as well as a variety of air cargo operators. It is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest, supporting 87,000 workers and generating an estimated $15.9 billion a year for the Twin Cities' economy.

The Screening Room showcases short films and award-winning documentaries, providing travellers with a taste of Minnesota culture. Robyne Robinson, the arts and culture director of the MSP Airport Foundation, says, "Our objective is to give travellers a Minnesota experience." The airport itself also reflects the region, with Terminal 1 being named after aviator Charles Lindbergh, who was raised in Minnesota, and Terminal 2 being named after Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who represented Minnesota in Congress.

The See 18 Film Screening Room is just one example of how airports are increasingly integrating entertainment options into their offerings. While airports in Asia have embraced movie theatres for years, the trend is gaining traction in the United States, with Portland International Airport and Miami International Airport also introducing cinemas.

Changi Airport, Singapore's two 24-hour movie theatres

Changi Airport in Singapore has not one but two 24-hour movie theatres, both of which are free to enter. One theatre is located in Terminal 2 and the other in Terminal 3. The theatres show a range of films, from action and family to the latest blockbusters, with something to suit all tastes and ages. With around 50 seats, travellers can sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie on the large screen in comfort. The theatres are closed for weekly maintenance every Thursday between 11 am and 4 pm.

Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, serving Singapore and acting as a common stopover point between Asia and Australasia. In 2019, it served 68.3 million passengers, making it the 16th busiest airport in the world. It has been voted the best airport in the world seven years in a row and it's easy to see why. In addition to its two movie theatres, the airport boasts art installations and sculptures, a butterfly park, a cactus garden, and the world's largest indoor waterfall.

Changi Airport's Terminal 3 also has a communal ST3PS area, which offers free movie screenings to the public. However, the hidden movie theatre located airside at the Terminal 3 Departure Transit Hall North is the place to be for a fully-fledged cinematic experience. With a large screen and plush seats, travellers can escape the hustle and bustle of the airport and dive into a world of movies.

The movie theatres at Changi Airport truly offer a unique experience, providing entertainment and comfort to travellers from all over the world. Whether you're waiting for a flight or looking to unwind during a layover, these movie theatres are the perfect escape.

Hong Kong International Airport's IMAX

Hong Kong International Airport was once home to the world's first airport IMAX theatre. The UA IMAX Theatre was located on Level 6 of Terminal 2 and opened in July 2012, replacing the previous MCL 4D Extreme Screen. The theatre had a 5-storey high supersized screen and 358 seats in a stadium-style layout. It offered a range of films, from Hollywood blockbusters to IMAX documentaries, in 2D and 3D formats. The UA IMAX Theatre also had 4D capabilities, providing audiences with sensory stimuli such as snowfall, wind, water spray, bubbles, fog, lights, and various smells.

In addition to the IMAX theatre, Hong Kong International Airport offered a range of other entertainment options for travellers during layovers. These included the Aviation Discovery Centre, an interactive museum with exhibits, interactive displays, and a flight simulator, also located in Terminal 2. The airport also had various shopping and dining options, including the Luk Yu Teahouse, a highly-rated dim sum restaurant located a short drive from the airport.

Unfortunately, the UA IMAX Theatre at Hong Kong International Airport closed in September 2019 after the operating business experienced some turmoil. Despite its closure, the airport continues to provide travellers with a variety of amenities and attractions to enjoy during their time there.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport's 6D cinema

Delh's Indira Gandhi International Airport's 6D Cinema

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is the first airport in India to get its own 6D cinema. The cinema is located at Terminal 1D of the IGI airport in New Delhi. The 6D cinema is the result of a collaboration between Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and Paramount Technologies, one of India's fastest-growing entertainment companies.

The iRido 6D cinema is a state-of-the-art, multi-dimensional theatre that offers a unique movie-watching experience with its six degrees of seat movements and 21 special effects. These effects include water spray, air blast, bubbles, rain, smoke, fire, fog, snow, leg ticklers, and pokers. The theatre utilizes a patented simulation technology from Korea, engaging the viewer's senses of hearing and sight, as well as their sense of touch.

The show duration at the iRido 6D cinema is approximately 15 minutes, and tickets are priced at Rs. 250 plus a 15% entertainment tax. The introduction of this 6D cinema aligns with DIAL's commitment to enhancing passenger comfort, convenience, and entertainment. I. Prabhakara Rao, CEO of DIAL, expressed confidence that the 6D theatre would add a new dimension to the overall experience at IGI.

Indira Gandhi International Airport is named after Indira Gandhi, India's former Prime Minister. It is the primary international airport serving New Delhi, the capital of India, and the National Capital Region (NCR). Spread across 5,106 acres, it is located 15 km southwest of the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km from the city centre. The airport is routinely ranked among the busiest airports in the world and is the second-busiest by seating capacity, capable of accommodating over 3.6 million seats.

In addition to its impressive passenger traffic and seating capacity, Indira Gandhi International Airport has also embraced innovation and entertainment. The introduction of the 6D cinema in 2013 was a testament to their commitment to offering a diverse range of amenities for travellers. With the iRido 6D cinema, passengers can enjoy a captivating and immersive movie experience while waiting for their flights.

The airport has also been recognised for its excellence, receiving accolades such as the "World's Best Airport" award in 2017 and the "Best Airport in Asia-Pacific" award in 2020. These achievements highlight the airport's dedication to providing a superior experience for its patrons.

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