The 10 best airport amenities and events of the year
During 2023, travelers returned to the skies in record numbers, and airports did their part to help smooth out the travel journey — or at least make it a bit more fun and interesting.
As we look forward to great adventures in 2024, here’s a look back at 10 of the best new amenities and events we spotted in airports in 2023. Let us know if we missed your favorite.
New airport terminal in Kansas City has that yummy barbecue smell
In February, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) opened its long-awaited and much-needed new 40-gate terminal. The $1.5 billion facility dazzles with a massive check-in hall, glass jet bridges, great art and a wide array of locally branded shops and restaurants, including a barbecue restaurant with the only wood-burning barbecue pit in an airport.
Accessibility rules in the new MCI. In addition to a relief area for service animals, the new MCI has an inclusive play zone, a quiet room, a sensory room, family restrooms and nursing rooms. There's also a mock airplane where new and nervous flyers can test out the check-in, security, boarding and flight experience.
Love in the airport
On Valentine’s Day, travelers at California’s Long Beach Airport (LGB) were able to get free custom-crafted love poems tapped out on an antique Remington typewriter by West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace. A second typewriter was available for those who wanted to type their own poems or messages.
The Clark County Clerk’s Office in Las Vegas once again brought its pop-up marriage license kiosk back to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) for Valentine’s Day, allowing couples to skip a visit to the license bureau downtown and go directly to their wedding ceremony.
The pop-up marriage license bureau is back at LAS for the last week of December to accommodate all the lovebirds heading to Las Vegas to get married Dec. 31.
New Year’s Eve is already a popular day to get married in Sin City, but this year the date — which can be written as 1-2-3-1-2-3 — is considered auspicious.
April Fools’ Day airport pranks
On April Fools’ Day, airports offered travelers a fresh batch of fun pranks and faux press releases. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) announced that it was removing all its much-loved rocking chairs “to create a more open feel” inside the terminals. Denver International Airport (DEN) promised the DEN Red Eye, the world’s first airport Ferris wheel. And Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) introduced an only-in-Minnesota amenity: the Lutefisk Fresh vending machine.
Airport child care
Some airports around the country, including San Franciso International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), offer subsidized child care for employees at nearby centers. But in July, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) became the first airport to open a child care center on-site, in a surplus part of the terminal once used by US Airways.
The center won’t take care of your kids while you pop into an airport bar for a preflight cocktail, but PIT’s on-site child care center is a welcome amenity for airport employees. Several other airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), are actively working on studies and facilities that expand child care options for employees.
More visitor pass programs
In September, Orlando International Airport (MCO) joined the list of airports that offer an airside visitor pass. The pass offers access to the MCO’s swanky Terminal C, which opened in September 2022 to rave reviews, thanks to towering “Forever Trees” and a series of immersive art installations.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) joined the visitor pass party in October with the introduction of its Wingmate Guest Pass program, which comes with a bonus of dining and shopping deals from PHL merchants.
Flush with pride: BWI has America’s Best Restroom
Airports continue to roll out new and improved restrooms. And those efforts and investments are getting noticed.
In September, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) claimed the throne in the 2023 America’s Best Restroom contest. New loos at BWI are bright and spacious, with windows that provide both natural light and privacy, touchless fixtures, full-height stalls and doors, red and green light occupancy indicators for the stalls, and other amenities.
In 2022, Tampa International Airport (TPA) took the top spot in this contest.
All LAX terminals now connected post-security. Finally
Traveling through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has plenty of issues and frustrations.
But this year, one of the more irritating roadblocks fell away when LAX opened the post-security walkway between Terminal 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal, completing the post-security connection between all the terminals at LAX.
A post-security walk at LAX is about 2 miles from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8. But once you are post-security in any terminal, you’re now able to make connections more easily and access the shops, restaurants, lounges, artwork, entertainment and other amenities in all the terminals.
Fort Wayne International Airport loves its customers. And feeds them
Year-round, Hospitality Hosts at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) welcome passengers with a (wrapped) cookie from a nearby bakery. But this year, during Customer Appreciation Week in October, the airport took things up a notch by treating passengers to free, fun food each day. In addition to a popcorn bar, a caramel apple bar, a hot dog bar and a walking taco bar with all manner of toppings, the airport presented passengers with a coffee and hot chocolate bar.
Baggage gargoyles return to Denver International Airport
In 1995, an art piece by Terry Allen titled Notre Denver, made up of two bronze gargoyles sitting inside suitcases, was installed in the east and west bag claim areas at Denver International Airport (DEN). They were tasked with making sure DEN baggage arrived safely, but the decorative duo spent about five years in storage due to airport construction.
In October, the gargoyles returned to their perches, just in time to protect passengers’ holiday luggage. Unfortunately, there appears to be no plan to bring back DEN’s chatty gargoyle, which made an appearance in 2019.
Free books at Miami International Airport
A handful of airports around the country, including Oregon’s Eugene Airport (EUG), have free short story dispensers on-site. Others, such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), have kiosks or book nooks where passengers may swap a paperback for another or download free digital books.
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the newest airport to hop on the book exchange program.
In mid-December, MIA debuted its colorful Books with an Altitude Library in the airport’s South Terminal, between gates H5 and H7. The Miami-Dade Public Library System seeded the library with a donation of 1,000 books, and passengers are now refreshing the selection with their exchanged books.
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TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.