Roberta Aguirre
Airports and airlines are increasingly investing in creating a unique signature scent to welcome travellers. Scents such as these have been shown to trigger emotions and memories. Singapore's Changi Airport, for example, has a bespoke fragrance with floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices and essential oils diffused throughout the airport. Other airports have also started to use scent globes to immerse passengers in aromas from around the world, such as tribal incense and wild grass from South Africa or seaweed and shell extracts from Japan. Even individual airlines have their own unique fragrances, such as Japan's All Nippon Airways, which has a blend of 12 natural aromas, including Japanese umbrella pine, Yoshino Japanese cedar, mint and rosemary. While airports and airlines are curating these unique fragrances, some typical airport smells remain, such as jet fuel, diesel, coffee, and fast food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell triggers emotions and memories | Research-backed |
| Airlines and airports spend time and money on choosing a signature scent | To improve customer experience |
| Examples of signature scents | Singapore's Changi Airport: fresh floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils |
| San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport: a spa-like scent | |
| Tampa International Airport: under consideration | |
| Common airport/airplane smells | Burnt jet fuel |
| Stale coffee | |
| Lavatory "Kool-aid" stuck in airplane upholstery | |
| Stagnant aluminum/dirty metal | |
| Seafood |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Airports use signature scents to calm nerves and enhance customer experience
- The smell of jet fuel is often associated with airports
- Stagnant aluminium and dirty metal smells can come from cargo holds
- Bad coffee and lavatory smells are common on planes
- Some airports use bespoke fragrances to create a welcoming atmosphere
Airports use signature scents to calm nerves and enhance customer experience
The unique smell of airports is often attributed to the scent of burnt jet fuel, stale coffee, and other less pleasant odours. However, some airports have taken to creating signature scents to enhance the customer experience and calm nerves.
The idea of using scented fragrances in airports is not new. Kevin Bumen, the director of California's San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, explained that they borrowed the concept from the hotel industry, where branded scents are often used in lobbies to welcome guests. Bumen stated that they wanted to improve the passenger experience at their new terminal, so they decided to add a scent to the ticketing areas and bag claim, which are often points of stress and confusion. After testing several options, they chose a spa-like fragrance intended to give passengers the impression of a fresh, clean, and relaxing airport.
Singapore's Changi Airport is another example of an airport utilising scent to enhance the customer experience. The airport's signature fragrance, diffused throughout its sprawling terminals, features fresh floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils. The scent is said to have a calming effect on passengers, even reducing their blood pressure.
Research has shown that smell triggers emotions and memories. Logan Andres, director of products and marketing for ScentAir, a company that creates scents for various industries, including aviation, explained that their research found that a good-smelling and welcoming gate area while waiting for a plane is highly valued by passengers. Andres also noted that the time and money airlines spend on developing a signature scent is "all about customer experience."
While the scent of an airport may not be able to mask all the unpleasant odours associated with travel, such as stale food and uncleanliness, it can certainly help to improve the overall experience for passengers and create a more welcoming environment.
CHA Airport: What County Does It Serve?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The smell of jet fuel is often associated with airports
While the smell of jet fuel may be unpleasant for some, it is a unique scent that has become synonymous with the airport experience. Some people even find it comforting, as it triggers emotions and memories associated with travel and flying. The smell of jet fuel can evoke a sense of excitement and adventure, reminding people of past trips and the anticipation of future ones.
In recent years, some airports have recognized the impact of scent on the passenger experience and have started to diffuse bespoke fragrances into common areas. These fragrances are designed to enhance the passenger experience by creating a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. For example, Singapore's Changi Airport has a signature scent with fresh floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils, which are said to calm nerves and lower blood pressure.
However, the scent of jet fuel remains a prominent feature of the airport olfactory experience, especially in areas close to aircraft, such as gates and runways. While some may find it unpleasant, others may find comfort in the familiar smell that signals the beginning of a journey. The smell of jet fuel is a reminder of the complex logistics and powerful machinery that make modern air travel possible.
The association between airports and the smell of jet fuel is likely to persist as long as jet fuel is used as an aircraft fuel. This distinctive scent has become an integral part of the airport environment, shaping the experiences and memories of travelers around the world.
Airports in Cabo, Mexico: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Stagnant aluminium and dirty metal smells can come from cargo holds
The distinct smell inside airport terminals and airplanes can be attributed to several factors. One of the key contributors is the burning of jet fuel, which creates odorous vapors that can enter the cabin or terminal. Additionally, the recirculation of air through filters in airport terminals and aircraft cabins can lead to the accumulation of odor-causing compounds, resulting in a unique smell.
While the filters in airport terminals and aircraft cabins capture some odor-causing compounds, they don't catch them all. As these compounds build up, they can create a distinct, musky, and somewhat unpleasant smell that many people associate with air travel. This smell is not just from the jet fuel but also from other sources, such as food and beverages served in the terminals and on planes.
The type of food served in airports and on airplanes can vary, but coffee, with its strong aroma, is often cited as a significant contributor to the overall scent. In addition to coffee, the smell of various foods, insecticides, and cleaning agents can all contribute to the unique airport aroma.
Another factor that can influence the smell of an airport is the use of bespoke fragrances. Some airports, like California's San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, have adopted the idea of using branded scents to welcome passengers and create a relaxing atmosphere. These fragrances are carefully chosen to convey a sense of freshness, cleanliness, and tranquility.
However, the scent of an airport is not always intentionally crafted. Stagnant aluminium and dirty metal smells can come from cargo holds. The odour of metal and aluminium surfaces in cargo holds can become stagnant due to a lack of proper ventilation, contributing to the overall airport smell. This smell is often described as "metallic" or "chemical" and can be quite distinct from the other scents typically associated with airports.
In conclusion, the stagnant aluminium and dirty metal smells emanating from cargo holds contribute to the overall airport scent, which is a complex blend of jet fuel, food, beverages, insecticides, cleaning agents, and intentional fragrances. While some people may find this smell unpleasant, it has become synonymous with air travel and can even evoke emotions and memories for many travellers.
Toronto's Airport Options: How Many and What's Their Future?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bad coffee and lavatory smells are common on planes
Many airports and airlines have taken to welcoming travellers with special scents, such as Singapore's Changi Airport, which diffuses a bespoke fragrance with notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils into many areas of its sprawling terminals. Similarly, California's San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport added a spa-like scent to its ticketing areas and bag claim, with the aim of conveying the idea that the airport is fresh, clean, and relaxing.
However, the same cannot be said for the cabins of aeroplanes, which are often described as having a distinct and noticeable smell, a combination of coffee, food, body odour, and the lavatory. Bad coffee and lavatory smells are common on planes, with some passengers even reporting that the use of coffee packs to freshen up the lavatories ended up making them smell like both solid waste and coffee.
The stench in plane bathrooms can get so bad that in one instance, a British Airways flight to Dubai had to turn around and go back to Heathrow. While some airlines, like JAL, have air fresheners in their lavatories, others, like American Airlines, opt for quick fixes, such as placing used coffee packets in the bathrooms.
The unique smell of airline cabins is so powerful that it triggers emotions and memories for many travellers, with some claiming that the smell of coffee upon entering an aircraft is ingrained in them from childhood. While the exact source of this smell remains a mystery, it is likely a combination of various factors, including the seats, the carpet, the cabin walls, and the galley.
Airports' Anti-Smoking Measures: Fair or Discrimination?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Some airports use bespoke fragrances to create a welcoming atmosphere
The unique smell of airports is something that many travellers are familiar with. While the sources of this scent may vary, some airports have taken to creating bespoke fragrances to enhance their passengers' experiences.
Kevin Bumen, the director of California's San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, explained that they "borrowed the idea from the hotel industry, where many properties have branded scents that welcome guests to the lobbies." Bumen further stated that they wanted to improve the passenger experience and decided to add a scent to the ticketing areas and bag claim, as these are the first and last areas passengers go through and can often be points of stress and confusion. After testing several fragrances, they chose a spa-like scent that conveys freshness, cleanliness, and relaxation.
Similarly, Singapore's Changi Airport has a bespoke fragrance with fresh floral notes of orchid, Damask rose, Asian spices, and essential oils, diffused throughout its sprawling terminals. The scent is said to calm nerves and lower blood pressure, creating a soothing atmosphere for travellers.
The use of scent in airports is supported by research that shows smell triggers emotions and memories. Logan Andres, director of products and marketing for ScentAir, a company that creates scents for various industries, including airports, commented that their research found that "for airline passengers, a good-smelling and welcoming gate area while you're waiting for your plane is only second behind having someplace to plug in your smartphone. And it was more important than cushy seats."
Indeed, the creation and use of signature scents in airports is a growing trend, with airports and airlines recognising the power of scent to enhance customer experience and create positive associations.
Key West Airport Upgrades: What's the Latest?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Airports often use specially chosen fragrances in their gate areas, lounges, jetways, and airplane cabins to enhance the customer experience. These fragrances can include floral, woody, spicy, or oceanic notes, depending on the location of the airport.
Singapore Changi Airport has a bespoke fragrance with floral and spice notes, while Japan's All Nippon Airways features a blend of traditional Japanese umbrella pine, Yoshino cedar, mint, and rosemary. Other airlines like Delta and United have their own signature scents as well, featuring notes of lavender, chamomile, orange peel, and sandalwood.
Research has shown that smell triggers emotions and memories. Airports, airlines, and other businesses use fragrances to create a welcoming atmosphere and leave a lasting impression on travellers.
Yes, different airports and countries can have distinct smells. For example, Scandinavian airports may smell like wood and hot dogs, while airports in Hawaii may have a coco-mango fragrance. The Paris Metro has a unique, indescribable smell, and Geneva smells like the Alps with a hint of roasted chestnuts in the winter.
