Molly Weems was nervous about taking her first flight at the age of 8. Her 11-year-old brother, Tom, had flown once before, but because it had been a bumpy experience, he feared a repeat performance. Then suddenly everything changed. Delighted by the antics of a friendly pig named LiLou, Mollie forgot her qualms. For Tom, it was a large rabbit that enabled him to replace fear with fun.
These youngsters were at the San Franciso International Airport with their parents waiting for a flight to visit their grandparents in Chicago. Their predeparture jitters were allayed by two members of the Wag Brigade, a menagerie of certified animal therapists who roam the waiting rooms and make passenger travel less stressful and more enjoyable.
This program, now in its 10th year, is one of many pleasant surprises that greet people at airports around the country. Many offer an inviting choice of both basic amenities and unexpected treats.
Anyone in San Francisco seeking to relax before takeoff might also choose to take advantage of the yoga studio and meditate in the reflection room. For those dealing with a more severe challenge than preflight fright a medical clinic offers urgent-care treatment.
Passengers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport seeking to relieve musculoskeletal discomfort can get an adjustment, trigger-point massage and other chiropractic services at the cleverly named Chiroport facility. Other services include a screening room that features short films and documentaries.
Music is offered at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Austin claims to be the live-music capital of the world, and local musicians appear throughout the venue to play everything from western swing sounds to vintage classics. Melodies are piped to other areas of the terminal where the live sounds don’t reach.
When it comes to food, airport options long ago escaped their negative reputation for overpriced stale sandwiches and cold coffee. Some feature restaurants that almost make a layover worth the wait. A recent survey ranked San Francisco first in terms of dining choice and quality. It recommended eateries that feature Asian-fusion fare and Farmer Brown, a soul food eatery that features Southern favorites such as chicken and waffles and jambalaya.
Dessert is front and center at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Fliers with a sweet tooth can create their own sundae at an Ice Creamery Machine that offers close to 100 combinations of ice cream, mix-ins and toppings.
It’s a treat for the eyes at some airports that double as galleries. The show begins outside the Denver International Airport, where the peaked roof of the terminal resembles the nearby snow-capped mountains and a huge blue mustang sculpture rears up on its hind legs. Inside, the city’s public art program has supported installation of numerous artworks that range from paintings, wall murals and photographs to statues, sculptures and sound art.
Architecture and art are front and center at the Albuquerque International Sunport, whose adobelike facade echoes the distinctive New Mexican style. Inside, the culture-related decor and extensive art collection make the facility an attraction even for non-travelers. Permanent exhibits are augmented by temporary displays of works by local artists and borrowed from museums.
Then there are airports that offer some below-the-radar attractions and activity surprises. When a pingpong table installed in the General Mitchell International Airport for a special event became popular with Milwaukee residents, it became a permanent fixture.
People who book a flight from Denver during the winter holiday season have access to a free ice-skating rink. Those who park their cars in the Spokane International Airport garages receive a free car wash. Golfers passing time at the Palm Beach International Airport can test their skill at a putting green.
People in search of even more comforts and conveniences also have alternatives. These are airport lounges that usually offer complimentary food and beverages and comfortable seating. Some have such amenities as showers and nap pods, a spa, barbershop and workout equipment.
