Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has done it again. This week, MSP was named one of three top airports for passenger amenities.
On Oct. 8, the Global Gateway Alliance, an advocacy group for the New York and New Jersey airport system, published a report in which the nation's top 20 busiest airports were ranked on a range of traveler amenities, including: movie kiosks, free Wi-Fi, designated play areas, health and wellness centers, spas, and one-seat rides.
The two other airports were Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Seattle-Tacoma Airports. All three provide travelers with 79 percent of the amenities studied.
More airports than ever before are offering extras to travelers, GGA says. To enhance the passenger experience, airports are moving past traditional amenities based on comfort and convenience, towards an expanded array of offerings focused on technology, entertainment, and health and wellness.
Key findings:
- Airport spas were the most popular amenity, offered at 19 of the 20 airports, closely followed by free Wi-Fi and intra-airport transit.
- Movie kiosks were the least common, installed at only three of the surveyed airports.
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson offered interactive kiosks with cameras that allow travelers to share travel moments with friends via Facebook and Instagram while charging their phones.
- MSP offered key family-friendly amenities, including an aviation-themed play area complete with a mock airplane, air traffic control tower, and Snoopy statue.
- Philadelphia offered "Just Plane Fun," a fitness zone including stationary bikes and elliptical machines.
- San Francisco lead the nation with 13.6 electrical outlets per gate, more than double the national average.
