Ruth Haines
A holdroom, or departure lounge, is an area in an airport terminal where passengers wait to board their flight after clearing security. Holdrooms are usually adjacent to the boarding gate and are designed with tall ceilings and large windows to avoid feeling cramped. Airports and airlines have started adding amenities to holdrooms, such as work desks, charging areas, play areas for children, and internet stations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Gate seating areas in the airport terminal building where passengers wait to board their flight |
| Amenities | Work counters or desks, laptop/cell phone recharging areas, play areas for children, and internet stations |
| Design | High ceilings to avoid feeling cramped, views of the outdoors, and natural lighting |
| Glare Reduction | Electrochromic (EC) glass, vertical fins, roller blinds, and glass frits |
| Seating | Informal seating arrangements and a variety of seating types are preferred over tandem layouts to enhance individual passenger comfort |
| Space | The holdroom seating area should be reduced by 5% for each gate in a common holdroom group, depending on departure times and passenger arrival distribution |
| Boarding Process | Most airlines have installed boarding pass readers at the entry to the loading bridge, requiring a wider area or multiple queue paths for enplaning |
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What You'll Learn
- A holdroom is a gate seating area in the airport terminal building
- Holdrooms are designed with tall ceilings and large windows to avoid feeling cramped
- Airports can install EC glass to create a comfortable and energy-efficient holdroom
- Holdrooms can include amenities such as work counters, play areas, and internet stations
- The amount of seating in a holdroom should be related to the number of passengers expected
A holdroom is a gate seating area in the airport terminal building
Holdrooms are typically adjacent to boarding gates, and their design has evolved to enhance individual passenger comfort and increase seat utilization. This includes providing a range of seating types, such as lounge seating, high-top tables, and modular seats that can be configured in multiple ways.
To improve the holdroom environment, airports may incorporate features to reduce solar glare, such as vertical fins, roller blinds, and electrochromic (EC) glass, which can adjust light transmission to manage sunlight throughout the day.
In addition to seating, holdrooms may offer various amenities, such as work counters, laptop/cell phone recharging areas, play areas for children, and internet stations. The amount of space allocated for these amenities can vary depending on the specific needs of each airport.
Holdrooms are subject to rental agreements between airlines and airport authorities, with costs adjusted based on usage and the number of enplaned passengers. These spaces are designed to provide a comfortable and functional waiting area for passengers before they board their flights.
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Holdrooms are designed with tall ceilings and large windows to avoid feeling cramped
Holdrooms, or departure lounges, are spaces in airport terminal buildings where passengers wait to board their flights after passing through security. They are typically adjacent to boarding gates and are designed to accommodate multiple gates, serving different aircraft classes.
Holdrooms are designed with tall ceilings and large windows to create a spacious and comfortable environment for passengers. The height of the ceilings and the use of large windows help to make the space feel more open and less cramped, especially when many passengers are waiting for their flights. This design feature also provides passengers with views of the outdoors, including aircraft, aprons, taxiways, and preferably, relaxing natural scenery.
The orientation of airports often results in hold rooms facing east or west, which can cause issues with solar glare during the mornings and evenings. This can create an uncomfortable environment for passengers who wish to read or use electronic devices. To mitigate this issue, airports have experimented with various solutions, including vertical fins, roller blinds, and glass frits, but these options have had limited success and can obstruct the view.
A more effective solution is the use of electrochromic (EC) glass, which can adjust its light transmission between almost zero and 90%. EC glass provides glare-free natural lighting while retaining the view, creating a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for passengers.
In addition to spacious designs and glare-reducing features, holdrooms may also offer various amenities to enhance the passenger experience. These can include work counters, laptop/cell phone recharging areas, play areas for children, and Internet stations. The specific amenities provided can vary depending on the unique needs of each airport and the airlines that utilize the space.
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Airports can install EC glass to create a comfortable and energy-efficient holdroom
A holdroom is a departure lounge where passengers wait to board their aircraft after clearing security. Holdrooms are usually designed with high ceilings to prevent a cramped feeling and are equipped with amenities such as seating areas, work counters, and play areas for children. They often offer views of the outdoors, including aircraft, apron, taxiway, and nature.
However, these large glass windows can result in excessive solar glare, creating an uncomfortable environment for passengers, especially when reading from electronic devices. Airports have attempted to mitigate this issue using vertical fins, roller blinds, and glass frits, but these solutions can obstruct views and be challenging to maintain.
To address this challenge, airports can install electrochromic (EC) glass, which effectively manages glare while retaining the benefits of natural lighting and outdoor views. EC glass can adjust its light transmission between almost zero and 90%, allowing holdrooms to be comfortable and energy-efficient spaces that passengers can enjoy.
By incorporating EC glass, airports can enhance the overall passenger experience. Passengers will appreciate a glare-free environment that facilitates reading and the use of electronic devices. Moreover, EC glass helps maintain a comfortable temperature by reducing the need for excessive cooling during hot days and providing natural warmth on colder days.
In addition to improving passenger comfort, EC glass contributes to the energy efficiency of the airport. By optimizing the use of natural light, airports can reduce their reliance on artificial lighting and lower their energy costs. This environmentally conscious approach aligns with sustainability goals and can be a selling point for eco-conscious travellers.
In summary, by installing EC glass, airports can create holdrooms that are both comfortable and energy-efficient. This innovative solution enhances the passenger experience, reduces maintenance challenges, and promotes sustainability, making it a worthwhile investment for airport authorities.
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Holdrooms can include amenities such as work counters, play areas, and internet stations
A holdroom is a space in an airport terminal where passengers wait to board their flight after they have cleared security. Holdrooms are usually situated adjacent to the boarding gate. To avoid a cramped feeling, hold rooms are designed with tall ceilings and large windows that offer views of the outdoors, including aircraft, aprons, taxiways, and nature.
Other holdrooms feature lounge seating, high-top tables, and a variety of other seating types. Some holdrooms have incorporated vertical fins, roller blinds, and glass frits to reduce glare from the large windows, with varying levels of success. The most effective method to control glare is electrochromic (EC) glass, which can adjust its light transmission to manage sunlight throughout the day while retaining views and natural light.
When designing holdrooms, it is important to consider the amount of space required for seating and amenities. A rule of thumb is to reduce the seating area by 5% for each gate served by a common holdroom. This takes into account factors such as departure times, passenger arrival times, and boarding times. Additionally, when gates have a high turnover rate, it is possible to have passengers from multiple flights waiting in the holdroom simultaneously, which should be considered in the design.
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The amount of seating in a holdroom should be related to the number of passengers expected
A holdroom is the area adjacent to a boarding gate where passengers wait to board their flight. Holdrooms are also known as departure lounges. The amount of seating in a holdroom should be related to the number of passengers expected, with a general allowance of 5% for amenities.
The number of passengers expected in a holdroom can vary depending on several factors, including the number of gates served by the holdroom, the departure times of flights, and the estimated passenger arrival time distribution. For example, if a holdroom serves multiple gates, it may need to accommodate a larger number of passengers. On the other hand, if departure times are well-spaced, the seating area may be reduced as passengers are not expected to arrive simultaneously.
The configuration of the holdroom also plays a role in determining the amount of seating available. A wider area or multiple queue paths may be required to manage the flow of passengers during enplaning and deplaning. The placement of boarding pass readers and other amenities, such as work counters, laptop charging areas, and play areas for children, can also impact the layout and seating capacity of the holdroom.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards more informal seating arrangements in holdrooms, which can increase the utilization of seats. Passengers generally prefer not to sit next to strangers at the airport, so providing a variety of seating options, including solo seats, can enhance individual comfort. Additionally, holdrooms with tall ceilings and large windows that offer views of nature can create a more pleasant waiting experience for passengers.
Overall, the amount of seating in a holdroom should be carefully considered to ensure that it meets the needs of the expected number of passengers and provides a comfortable and functional space for them to wait for their flights.
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Frequently asked questions
A holdroom is the area adjacent to a boarding gate where passengers wait to board their flight.
Holdrooms offer amenities such as work counters or desks, laptop/cell phone recharging areas, play areas for children, and internet stations. Some airports have also created separate spaces with lounge seating, high-top tables, and charging capabilities.
Airports consider lighting, seating arrangements, and views when designing holdrooms to make them more comfortable for passengers. For example, electrochromic (EC) glass can be used to reduce glare and provide a comfortable and energy-efficient space.
The size of a holdroom is typically related to the number of gates it serves and the expected number of passengers using it simultaneously. A rule of thumb is to reduce the holdroom seating area by 5% for each gate in a common holdroom group.
