Jazmin Li
Airports and airplanes have a distinctive smell, a combination of jet fuel, coffee, and people. Some airports and airlines have even developed signature scents to enhance the customer experience and trigger emotions and memories. For example, Singapore's Changi Airport has a bespoke fragrance with notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils, while Tampa International Airport uses scents that reflect the Tampa Bay Region, such as ocean, wood, and tropical greenery. The scent of an airport can vary depending on its location, with airports near forests or coastlines taking on the smell of their natural surroundings.
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel
The smell of jet fuel is often associated with airports and air travel. This distinct aroma is described by some as acrid and sour, while others find it sweet. It is one of the most commonly identified scents when stepping off a plane and onto the jetway. The burning of jet fuel creates this unique fragrance, and it is a smell that many travellers find memorable and evocative of the excitement of visiting a new place.
The scent of jet fuel is so powerful that it can be noticed even outside the airport, especially at airports where planes are not allowed to keep their engines running while on stand. The acrid, sour notes of burnt jet fuel mix with the surrounding air, creating an unmistakable aroma.
For some, the smell of jet fuel is a comforting and familiar part of the airport experience, triggering emotions and memories of past travels. It is an indicator that they are about to embark on a journey or have returned home. This emotional connection to the scent of jet fuel is not limited to airports, as some people enjoy the smell of diesel fuel as well.
While the scent of jet fuel can be intriguing and memorable, it is essential to note that it is a result of the combustion process and may not be considered pleasant by everyone. The smell can be strong and overwhelming, especially for those who are sensitive to odours or have negative associations with the scent.
The distinctive smell of jet fuel at airports is a result of the massive amounts of fuel required to power aircraft. This scent, whether loved or hated, has become an integral part of the airport experience for many travellers, evoking a range of emotions and memories with each whiff.
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Coffee
For many, the smell of coffee at an airport is intertwined with the excitement and anticipation of travelling to a new place. The unique combination of jet fuel and coffee is a signature scent of airports and planes. The aroma of coffee is particularly noticeable on long overnight flights, as the rich, roasted fragrance fills the cabin as the plane descends.
The scent of coffee is so powerful that it can evoke strong emotions and memories. It is often linked to feelings of relaxation and comfort, providing a sense of warmth and familiarity in a busy and sometimes stressful environment. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee can be inviting, creating a pleasant atmosphere for travellers waiting for their flights.
Additionally, the smell of coffee is not limited to the airport itself. Coffee is often associated with specific cities and regions, such as Seattle and San Francisco, which are known for their dark roast coffee scent. This distinct aroma can become a defining characteristic of a place, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and locals alike.
The presence of coffee as a key scent in airports reinforces its importance in our daily lives. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of travel, we can find comfort and familiarity in a simple cup of coffee.
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Signature scents
The unique scent of an airport is something that many travellers are familiar with. While airports and airplanes are often associated with the smell of jet fuel, each airport has its own blend of scents that create a unique signature fragrance.
Singapore's Changi Airport, for example, has a bespoke fragrance with floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils diffused throughout its terminals. The scent is designed to calm nerves and lower blood pressure, enhancing the customer experience.
Tampa International Airport also recognises the importance of scent in improving the passenger experience. The airport has chosen a spa-like fragrance for its ticketing areas and baggage claim, conveying a sense of freshness, cleanliness, and relaxation. The airport is also considering adding more scents to its terminals, opting for fragrances that reflect the Tampa Bay Region, such as ocean, wood, tropics, and greenery.
Airports and airlines invest significant time and money into creating signature scents. Logan Andres, Director of Products and Marketing for ScentAir, a company that creates scents for various industries, affirms that "it's truly all about customer experience." Research has shown that smell triggers emotions and memories, making a pleasant airport scent a memorable takeaway for travellers.
While the smell of jet fuel may be the most commonly associated airport fragrance, each airport offers a unique blend of scents that contribute to its signature aroma. From the stale smell of cigarettes and beer to the comforting aroma of coffee and bread, the combination of scents creates a distinctive airport experience.
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Food
The smell of food in an airport is a varied and complex issue. The unique odour inside an aircraft is a cocktail of chemicals, particles, and compounds. The air inside the cabin is a blend of stale, recirculated air and fresh air from outside that has been sucked into the engines and pumped into the cabin, known as "bleed air". This air is thought to contain toxic chemicals that can cause health problems, known as aerotoxic syndrome.
The food served on planes is often described as having a distinct smell, which is not always pleasant. The low humidity in the cabin can make it difficult for food to seem fresh, and the pressurised air can dull the sense of smell, impacting the overall dining experience.
Some people have described the smell of an airport as being like junk food, stale cigarettes, and cheap beer. This is likely due to the presence of restaurants, bars, and cafes in the airport, as well as the fact that many people consume food and drinks while waiting for their flights. The scent of food can be comforting and trigger emotions and memories, which is why some airports and airlines have started to develop their own signature scents to enhance the customer experience and create a welcoming environment.
Singapore's Changi Airport, for example, has a bespoke fragrance with floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils, designed to calm nerves and lower blood pressure. Similarly, Tampa International Airport has considered adding scents to its terminal areas, opting for fragrances that reflect the Tampa Bay Region, such as ocean, wood, tropics, and greenery.
The use of scent in airports is a deliberate strategy to improve the passenger experience and create a relaxing atmosphere. By diffusing fragrances in key areas such as ticketing and baggage claim, airports can help reduce stress and confusion for travellers.
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Cargo
In addition to seafood, other items such as animals in kennels can also create strong odours if they have accidents. The smell of stale food, sweat, and urine can also be present in the cargo hold if the plane has been used for long-haul flights or if there have been issues with the cargo.
The cargo hold of a plane can also have a distinctive smell due to the materials used in its construction. For example, one person described the smell of a cargo hold as "stagnant aluminium/dirty metal". This type of smell can be especially noticeable on long-haul flights or when the cargo hold is first opened after a long period of time.
Some airports and airlines are recognising the importance of scent in the customer experience. For example, Tampa International Airport has considered adding scents to its terminal areas that reflect the Tampa Bay Region, such as ocean, wood, and tropical greenery. Singapore's Changi Airport has also implemented a bespoke fragrance with notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils to create a calming atmosphere for passengers.
Overall, the cargo hold of a plane can have a variety of smells depending on the items being transported and the materials used in the construction of the hold. While some of these smells may be unpleasant, others may be more neutral or even pleasant, depending on the individual's perspective.
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Frequently asked questions
Many airports have their own signature scents, designed to improve the customer experience and trigger emotions and memories. For example, Singapore's Changi Airport has a bespoke fragrance with floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils. Airports and airplanes also have some common smells, including jet fuel, coffee, and stale food.
Research has shown that smell triggers emotions and memories. Airports, airlines, and hotels spend time and money creating signature scents to improve the customer experience and give travelers a nice-smelling souvenir of their trip.
Airports typically choose scents that reflect the region, such as ocean, wood, and greenery for an airport in a coastal region. Some airports opt for a spa-like scent to convey the idea that the airport is fresh, clean, and relaxing.
Airplanes can have a range of smells, depending on the length of the flight and the cargo. Long-haul flights may have smells of dirty people, dry air, and stale food. The cargo hold may also contribute to the smell, especially if it includes items such as frozen seafood or animals in kennels.
