Airport Amenities: What To Expect When You're Traveling

Airports are no longer just a means to get from A to B, they are now destinations in themselves. With delays becoming more common, airports are stepping up their game by offering a range of amenities to entertain travellers during layovers. From yoga rooms and swimming pools to beer gardens and art exhibitions, airports are becoming places where you can exercise, relax, and even enjoy a cultural experience. So, the next time you're facing a long layover, why not take advantage of some of the amenities on offer and turn your travel time into an enjoyable experience?

Sleeping pods

Minute Suites, for instance, offers private suites with adjustable lighting, charging outlets, and a large television screen. They are available at Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia International, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airports. The rates start at $38 for a one-hour minimum, $45 for the first two hours, and $25 for each additional hour.

The Yotel at London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Amsterdam airports offers a similar experience with beds and ensuite bathrooms for $38 for four hours.

For a more budget-friendly option, Go Sleep Pods at Terminal 8 are available for $10 per hour.

You can also rent a soundproof Snoozecube at Dubai International Airport or a NapCab in Munich or Berlin.

Swimming pools

A swim between flights? Why not! Some airports have swimming pools as part of their plush amenities.

Changi Airport, Singapore

Changi Airport in Singapore is known for its nature-themed complex, Jewel, which includes wedding venues and the world's tallest indoor waterfall. But it also has a Balinese-themed rooftop swimming pool located at the Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel. The pool is open to the public for around $21 per entry. The hotel also has a hot tub, poolside bar, and showers.

Hamad International Airport, Doha

The Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has a temperature-controlled 25-meter swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a gym, squash courts, and spa treatments such as anti-jet lag massages. The pool is free for hotel guests, while walk-ins are charged $48.

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel in Bangkok has an impressive 25-meter swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens. The pool has a swim-up bar serving cocktails from 8 am. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the main terminal and also offers eight restaurants, a spa, a fitness centre, a steam room, and a sauna.

Punta Cana International Airport, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic has an outdoor swimming pool and terrace with views of the runway. The pool is part of a new VIP lounge in Terminal B, which charges a $50 entry fee, including snacks and alcoholic drinks.

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Florida

The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport hotel in Florida has a large outdoor heated swimming pool with views of the runway. The pool area has a sun deck and shaded lounge area, with cocktails and food available to order. Day-use rooms, which include access to all facilities, start at $109.

Vancouver International Airport, Canada

Vancouver International Airport has a mechanized three-lane lap pool at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Health Club. The pool has a self-adjusting current, making for a challenging but invigorating swim. Day passes for the fitness centre are priced at about $16.

Golf courses

For instance, the Grand Geneva Resort in southwest Wisconsin, about an hour from Milwaukee, is home to two golf courses—the Highlands and the Brute—and a runway. The resort, formerly the Lake Geneva Playboy Club, features several golf holes that play alongside an airstrip that’s almost 4,000 feet long. The private Ocean Reef Club in the Florida Keys boasts two 18-hole courses—Dolphin and Hammock—and a 4,500-foot runway that can easily handle private jets. The club permits only 20 takeoffs and landings per day to keep the noise down, and on one hole, there’s a sign warning golfers not to hit if they hear a plane coming.

There are also golf courses located near major airports. The Riverwalk Golf Club in San Diego, for instance, is minutes from the airport. The Preserve at Oak Meadows, one of the Chicago area's best public courses, is also conveniently located near an airport. The Gateway Golf Club is tucked into a housing development near Detroit Metro International Airport in Romulus, Michigan. The 6,721-yard course is designed by two of Michigan's best-known architects, Jerry Matthews and Ray Hearn. The Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas is only 4.5 miles from McCarran International Airport. The ASU Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona, is 6.7 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Cobbs Creek Golf Club in Philadelphia is 8.7 miles from Philadelphia International Airport. The PGA Catalunya Stadium course in Girona, Spain, is just 7 minutes from the airport. The Belas golf course in Lisbon, Portugal, is a mere 25 minutes from the city's airport.

Pet therapy

Airports are no longer just places we want to escape from. They are increasingly offering amenities to entertain travellers during long layovers and delays. One such initiative is pet therapy, which has been introduced in airports around the world to help soothe stressed and nervous passengers.

The concept of therapy dogs in airports originated after the 9/11 terror attacks. An airport chaplain at the San Jose airport in California brought in her own dog to comfort passengers, and the idea spread from there. These therapy dogs are trained and certified by various local therapy dog groups to ensure they can handle the hustle and bustle of an airport and are well-suited to the environment. They are safe to pet, play with, and meet, and their primary mission is to alleviate passenger stress and bring smiles to travellers' faces.

Therapy dogs in airports have become increasingly popular in recent years, and their popularity has seen programmes pop up in airports around the world, from the US to Canada, and more recently, the UK. In 2017, there were 48 programmes, and in 2018, that number increased to 58. Today, there are approximately 30 airports in the US with therapy dog programmes, and some international ones, including the UK, which introduced its first therapy dog at Aberdeen International Airport.

Some of the airports with therapy dog programmes include:

• Miami (MIA)
• Albany (ALB)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• San Jose, California (SJC)
• Sacramento (SMF)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• Syracuse (SYR)
• Chicago's Canine Therapy Corps (ORD & MDW)
• Asheville (AVL)
• Rhode Island (PVD)
• Oklahoma (OKC)
• Ft. Lauderdale (FLL)
• Reno, Tahoe Airport (RNO)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Vancouver (YVR)
• Halifax (YHZ)
• Edmonton (YEG) in Canada

Denver International Airport (DEN) has a unique programme called the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS), with over 80 dogs—and one cat—providing comfort to travellers.

Art and history exhibits

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, for instance, has an extensive art collection that includes more than 1,000 pieces in all mediums, styles, and sizes. The airport's museum, which began in 1988, features exhibitions throughout the airport, including sculptures, murals, a glass installation, and more than 80 works of art inside and outside the Rental Car Center. The Aviation History Collection showcases artifacts, documents, and memorabilia pertaining to the Phoenix Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear airport communities.

Similarly, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has a permanent exhibit called "A Walk Through Atlanta's History," which depicts the city's history from its early settlement by native people to the present day. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport houses an offshoot of the city's famous Rijksmuseum, allowing travelers to explore the work of Dutch masters such as Jan Steen and Jacob van Ruisdael.

The Denver International Airport is renowned for its public art, offering a walking tour for non-ticketed passengers to explore its permanent and temporary art exhibits, including the famous 32-foot-tall Blue Mustang sculpture by Luis Jiménez and paintings by muralist Leo Tanguma.

Other airports, such as the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, invite local artists to collaborate on designing and installing art installations within the terminal, showcasing the history and values of the community. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport also celebrates its love for public art with sculptures, performance art, and historical displays that reflect the vibrant culture of the region.

These art and history exhibits not only enhance the airport visitor's experience but also provide a meaningful way to explore a city's culture and history, even if one is just passing through.

Frequently asked questions