Skift global trend for 2013: Airports as destinations

As the airline experience continues to deteriorate and fragment—at least in the Western world— airports are seeing a buzz of activity and are reinventing themselves around user experience and design. The new normal as exemplified by Incheon International Airport in Seoul, Madrid’s Barajas Airport, or Singapore’s Changi Airport, are centered around innovations like airy, light-filled primary spaces, less-intimidating security and baggage claim areas, simple signage, solutions to satiate our need to be connected (free Wi-Fi!), and more shopping and dining options near gates.

The more successful ones have become places where people want to spend time and have experiences and not just pass through. Whether it is Chicago’s O’Hare newly launched farmer’s market inside the terminal, or Munich’s onsite brewery, the airports are becoming more inspirational, aspirational, and nurturing. Imagine that.

Further Reading:

• The Airport Of The Future Is About More Than Takeoff And Landing
• Are airports the new malls for holiday shopping?
• Airports are becoming activity hubs to take advantage of listless flyers