Monterey Regional Airport adds an outdoor courtyard
Outdoor observation decks, patios, courtyards, gardens, open spaces — whatever you call them, outdoor decks were once a common airport amenity.
They offered travelers a chance to get fresh air and great views before or after a long flight.
Many outdoor spaces at airports have been closed over the years due to security concerns and the repurposing of terminal space. Still, there are some left, and slowly but surely, new ones are being created.
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) — which sits near Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea on California’s central coast — is the latest airport to offer passengers an outdoor space to enjoy while waiting for a flight.
The airport's new outdoor courtyard is post-security, by Gate 1. It offers comfortable seating and impressive views of runway activities and the surrounding area, including Monterey Bay. As a bonus, the space is also home to a pet relief area, complete with faux fire hydrant, fake grass and oversize, decorative dog bones.
“Very few airports offer the opportunity to enjoy outdoor seating past security,” Michael La Pier, the airport's executive director, said in a statement. “However, this Courtyard will give visitors and travelers the chance to enjoy our climate for a bit longer before they board their flight. And you cannot beat the views of the Monterey Bay.”
The pre-security restaurant at MRY, Woody’s at the Airport, is located on the upper level and has some outdoor seating that overlooks the runway and Monterey Bay as well. The restaurant is open seven days a week and offers validated parking.
Nonstop routes from MRY include Burbank, California; Dallas; Denver; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Orange County, California; Phoenix; San Diego; San Francisco; and Seattle.
Which other airports offer outdoor spaces?
While not inclusive, here are some of the airports around the U.S. where you can get some fresh air while waiting for a flight.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a post-security outdoor terrace in International Terminal G as well as a pre-security SkyTerrace in Terminal 2, which offers great views of the spot where all four runways intersect. The airport museum's exhibit about the history and the architecture of the terminal space circa 1954 is on display in the SkyTerrace lobby.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) offers travelers a post-security outdoor patio on the mezzanine level of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal, between gates 1 and 2. The South Terminal has a post-security outdoor patio with seating, a pet relief area and a food truck.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), there’s an outdoor rooftop deck at JetBlue Terminal 5. Located post-security across from Gate 28, the deck has places to plug in gadgets plus available seating on benches and grassy areas, and a pet relief area called the Wooftop Lounge.
Three outdoor patios are on the books for Denver International Airport (DEN); two have opened already, with the third set to open later this year. The first to open was at the far western end of Concourse B. It has fire pits, a variety of seating, a pet relief area and great mountain views. The patio on Concourse C offers sunrise views, firepits, a seating area and a pet relief area as well. An outdoor patio will open on Concourse A later this year.
Airline lounges with outdoor decks
Again, this list is not inclusive, but travelers may also enjoy outdoor spaces at some airline lounges.
Patios, or outdoor viewing decks, are among the features at Delta Air Lines Sky Club lounges in AUS, JFK (Terminal 4), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Concourse F), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The Star Alliance lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX also has an outdoor space with a fire pit. There are nice views of the Hollywood Hills from the outdoor terrace at the United Club in Terminal 7, by Gate 71A.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.