The bags are packed and the journey is about to begin. Your mind turns to the words of Mark Twain protege Charles Dudley Walker, who declared, "There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it."
From a psychological point of view, what was true in the late 1800s is just as true today, though one glaring abrasive element has emerged over the years that can make any journey start poorly: the airport.
For today's travelers, it is all too often the launching point of a pilgrimage, and for most, it is viewed as a place to get in and out of as quickly as possible, with a wish list that includes a fast check-in, a seamless security line, a seat with a power port at the gate and an on-time departure and arrival.
In many regards, airports are changing for the better. Strip away the vagaries of airline takeoffs and arrivals and the impenetrable procedures of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and what you have left is getting better all the time. Many airports have become destinations in and of themselves, barely resembling the terminals of old with their uncomfortable plastic seats, long walks between gates, mediocre dining options, a dearth of rest rooms and a mix of stress and boredom.
In fact, these days, airports are spending big bucks to take the pain out of travel to help ensure that this first chapter in any traveler's pilgrimage is a positive one. The aim is to make these places more hospitable, even fun, as travelers begin their journey or at a stop along the way.
Something for everyone
The best airports today don't feel like airports. Think close-in parking; fast, free WiFi; speedy TSA clearance; menu choices ranging from high-fiber to high-end; as well as access to lounges, shops, playgrounds, massages, gardens, outdoor terraces, waterfalls, spas, supermarkets, meditation rooms, hotels, fenced-in dog runs, solar lighting, designer signage, lactation rooms for nursing moms and a greater sense of space and place.
Even parking is getting major makeovers. At Dusseldorf Airport, robots park a traveler's car when departing and return it curbside upon arrival, linking the passenger's itinerary to the license plate. Frankfurt Airport has parking spots for women, which are closer to the terminal, making the walk from the garage shorter and, presumably, safer. Denver Airport offers 20 free electric vehicle charging stations in its parking garages.
Culture has found its way into airports. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport last month opened the first Cuban art exhibit in a U.S. airport. Titled "Buoyancy," the exhibit features works by three Cuban artists and is housed in a 6,000-square-foot gallery on concourses E and F in Terminal 1. It is a collaboration between the new Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
"The mission of our program is to enhance the image of our airport, enrich the public's experience and promote a sense of place through arts and culture," said Robyne Robinson, director of the foundation's Arts@MSP program.
From a psychological point of view, what was true in the late 1800s is just as true today, though one glaring abrasive element has emerged over the years that can make any journey start poorly: the airport.
For today's travelers, it is all too often the launching point of a pilgrimage, and for most, it is viewed as a place to get in and out of as quickly as possible, with a wish list that includes a fast check-in, a seamless security line, a seat with a power port at the gate and an on-time departure and arrival.
In many regards, airports are changing for the better. Strip away the vagaries of airline takeoffs and arrivals and the impenetrable procedures of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and what you have left is getting better all the time. Many airports have become destinations in and of themselves, barely resembling the terminals of old with their uncomfortable plastic seats, long walks between gates, mediocre dining options, a dearth of rest rooms and a mix of stress and boredom.
In fact, these days, airports are spending big bucks to take the pain out of travel to help ensure that this first chapter in any traveler's pilgrimage is a positive one. The aim is to make these places more hospitable, even fun, as travelers begin their journey or at a stop along the way.
Something for everyone
The best airports today don't feel like airports. Think close-in parking; fast, free WiFi; speedy TSA clearance; menu choices ranging from high-fiber to high-end; as well as access to lounges, shops, playgrounds, massages, gardens, outdoor terraces, waterfalls, spas, supermarkets, meditation rooms, hotels, fenced-in dog runs, solar lighting, designer signage, lactation rooms for nursing moms and a greater sense of space and place.
Even parking is getting major makeovers. At Dusseldorf Airport, robots park a traveler's car when departing and return it curbside upon arrival, linking the passenger's itinerary to the license plate. Frankfurt Airport has parking spots for women, which are closer to the terminal, making the walk from the garage shorter and, presumably, safer. Denver Airport offers 20 free electric vehicle charging stations in its parking garages.
Culture has found its way into airports. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport last month opened the first Cuban art exhibit in a U.S. airport. Titled "Buoyancy," the exhibit features works by three Cuban artists and is housed in a 6,000-square-foot gallery on concourses E and F in Terminal 1. It is a collaboration between the new Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
"The mission of our program is to enhance the image of our airport, enrich the public's experience and promote a sense of place through arts and culture," said Robyne Robinson, director of the foundation's Arts@MSP program.