Welcome to the airports of the future

The airport experience is set to change for future travellers, with Skyscanner revealing that modern design and interactive technology are already being used in some of the world’s busiest airports.

In its ‘future of travel’ report, Skyscanner predicts that airports of the future will be designed to create a sense of place during lay-overs, rather than simply serving as a waiting place for travellers on the move, with passengers able to attend virtual yoga classes, sit by the rooftop pool, or view art galleries and interactive media.  

“An airport of the future will be the place where your holiday begins, a place that is stress-free and enjoyable and puts you in the right mood. In the 2020s, such futuristic airports could even shape your decision on what destination to travel to” said Dave Boyte, Skyscanner’s marketing manager Australia and New Zealand.

Los Angeles airport, Singapore Changi T3, Kuwait International, Korea Incheon and San Diego International airport are all incorporating clever technology and design to make time spent at the airport a more relaxing and pleasant experience.

 

Five airports of the future that already exist:

1. Los Angeles Airport

LAX features seven digital ‘interventions’ throughout the airport, the most noted creation being  the 72 foot ‘time tower’, an interactive haptic illusion wrapped around one of the terminal’s main lifts.

Other interventions include a ‘welcome wall’ for arriving passengers, a ‘bon voyage’ wall for departing passengers and two portals that display real-time flight information as well as the physical movement of individual travellers.

2.Singapore Changi T3

Bringing the outside in, this expansive airport features a butterfly roof, a five-story vertical garden, waterfalls and a rooftop swimming pool.

Following in the green inspired designs, more airports are now also building ventilation and outdoor systems that allow travellers access to open air.

A recent survey by Skyscanner suggests that 43% of travellers would love to see an open-air park as part of the airport experience.

3.Kuwait International Airport

With a focus on energy efficiency the designers of the new Kuwait airport are aiming for the building to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold status.

To do this they will install glazed windows that will filter daylight and deflect the direct solar radiation, fit the roof with an expanse of photovoltaic panels to harvest the sun’s energy and add a cooling indoor water feature which will surround the baggage claim area.

If LEED gold status is achieved, Kuwait airport will be the first passenger terminal in the world to attain this level of environmental accreditation.

4.Korea Incheon

With indoor gardens, koi ponds and an abundance of natural light, Korea’s new Incheon airport draws inspiration from various elements of culture and life.

The outside is designed with the Asian phoenix in mind, while the inside is full of Korean traditional aesthetics, providing a place for those wanting to experience aspects of the cities culture.

The airport is a destination within itself, as it is fitted out with hundreds of shops, a hotel, a skating rink, a golf course and even a casino.

5.San Diego International Airport

Putting a modern spin on the departure lounge, San Diego is set to open a new media lounge that will not only provide enough seating and power outlets to charge mobile devices; it will allow passengers to interact with the room in a number of new ways.

The ‘migration’ themed room will be represented in a series of projections which include flight times as well as aspects of the city such as landscapes, cliffs and coastal surroundings.  

Welcome to the airports of the future