Survey Shows Some Are Offering Unique Passenger Services

Airports are ready to meet the needs of the 24 million travelers who are expected to fly this week to visit family, friends and colleagues, according to Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). “Travelers should expect to find full planes and busy airports when they travel over the holidays this year; however, America’s airports are prepared to meet the needs of passengers to provide a positive and smooth travel experience,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato (pictured).

Airports across the United States and Canada recognize that passengers may be pressed for time or in some cases may be spending more time at the airport. In order to better serve air travelers, airports have upgraded facilities and added convenient services for arriving and departing passengers.
“While we try especially hard to take care of travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday – the busiest travel period of the year – the fact is that airports work every day to make the travel experience enjoyable. Our recent survey shows that passengers appreciate the wide range of facilities and services airports offer, from locally branded and nationally known restaurant and retail options, to Wi-Fi Internet access, on-site sleeping options  and spas,” added Principato.

The ACI-NA survey of passenger services, with data from U.S. and Canadian airports representing nearly 60 percent of North American traffic, shows that airports have been creatively working with their concessionaires to offer convenient as well as entertaining options for passengers. Almost half of surveyed airports have developed a mobile website in order to better meet the needs and expectations of air travelers. Seven have launched airport mobile apps. Some airports have begun to offer on-site sleep and shower rooms for passenger use.

To make it even easier for passengers, certain airports offer pet hotels on-site and many have pet relief areas throughout the terminals to aid passengers traveling with pets. To help passengers stay connected while home or away, 90 percent of surveyed airports provide free Wi-Fi and 88 percent have electrical charging stations for passenger use. About half of the airports surveyed have business centers; and more than 70 percent have conference centers available for rent.

Almost half of the airports ACI-NA surveyed have children’s play areas and 19 percent have game rooms. Twenty-six percent offer DVD rentals. Families can also enjoy major local art displays at 86 percent of responding airports. Thirty-four airports feature live music. And, for adults looking to pamper themselves while waiting for a flight, nearly 50 percent of the airports surveyed provide massage and/or spa services. Nineteen percent have nail salons and 17 percent have hair salons.

FMI: www.aci-na.org