Travelers trade stress for spa treatments at airports

Labor Day weekend broke the Transportation Security Administration’s records for the most passengers screened. Nearly 10.4 million travelers passed through airport security from Friday through Monday of the holiday weekend. To meet the growing needs, airports now offer more variety than ever.

Airport offerings are no longer limited to coffee shops and fast food restaurants. Terminals boast added experiences from art galleries in San Francisco to a putting green at Palm Beach International Airport, where travelers can practice their short game before takeoff.

Passenger satisfaction rose 10 points this year on a 1,000-point scale. “A big part of this recent increase in passenger satisfaction is due to recently completed improvements in many airport facilities themselves. A few big capital improvement projects have now been completed, and many more are underway or about to break ground,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power.

The journey is the destination

For many, vacation starts the moment they walk through airport security. Even TSA is leaning into the good vibes by ending the shoes-off policy at TSA checkpoints. They also installed the Families on the Fly program, which adds dedicated family lanes in select airports and discounted TSA PreCheck for new enrollments.

Many prefer to get to the airport with plenty of extra time for unexpected delays, despite the popular TikTok airport theory trend, which suggests travelers only need to arrive 15 minutes before their flight boards. Airports respond to larger crowds with new amenities and more access to lounges in an effort to ease travel stress, and it’s working.

“A layover at SFO doesn’t have to mean staring at your gate. The airport is filled with rotating museum exhibits, sculptures and photography displays tucked into every terminal. You can catch everything from California history to contemporary art without ever leaving security. It’s like having a world-class gallery built right into your travel day. My personal favorite artwork is Everywhere a Color by Leah Rosenberg in Boarding Area G,” said Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella.

Layovers offer even more amenities, and some even plan longer travel days to explore connecting cities. Extended stays, often called layovercations, add short adventures to longer trips. Why sit in a terminal when a layover can turn into 24 hours in Paris?

Airport amenities for everyone

The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport took the number four spot in the J.D. Power satisfaction study for mega airports. At Be Relax Spa, located in Terminals B and D, travelers can indulge in full-body massages, refreshing facials or manicures for a dose of self-care. Or take a walk through the more than 30 inspiring masterpieces by local and international artists displayed throughout Terminal D and Skylink stations.

Get your steps in and admire nature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on the Sky Harbor Fitness Trail. From Gate A30 to Gate D18, travelers can stretch their legs with views of mountains, parks and man-made wonders on the mile-plus trail. 

Even compact locations like Daytona Beach International Airport, the small but popular gateway to the Daytona area, offer luxuries like a mother’s room and a complimentary lending library for waiting passengers.

Many airports also incorporate more local restaurants and coffee shops, infusing a sense of pride and ownership into each terminal. Find authentic Greek salad at Tampa International Airport, or American cuisine with a Southern flair from James Beard-nominated Chef Scott Crawford at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Snack on iconic Garrett Popcorn from Chicago O’Hare while browsing its public art collection, showcasing more than 20 Chicago artists.

Airport lounge specialties

The classic airport lounge is a mainstay in many large and growing airports, and with the advent of premium credit cards, many passengers head straight for the open bar. Even lounges level up with premium food experiences, facials and quiet rooms where jet-setters can recharge.

Michelle Price of Honest and Truly Travels said, “I love airport lounges, and the Sapphire Lounge has wellness pods you can reserve with the most relaxing massage chairs. It’s my first stop every time I travel through an airport, with one if I have a layover. I might even choose my layover cities based on what airport lounge options I have!”

While airline-specific lounges typically admit guests based on status or ticket type, holding a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum or Capital One Venture X grants access to their branded lounges. Often, a network of even more options opens up through the Priority Pass program. This makes lounge access more attainable for those who may not travel as frequently or hold elite status with an airline.

As millions take to the skies for business, pleasure or a combination of both, airports continue to rise to the challenge. Multi-faceted offerings comfort, feed and entertain even the weariest of fliers.

Andrea Updyke is a food and travel writer at Just is a Four Letter Word, where she shares easy recipes and family travel tips. When she isn’t traveling, Andrea loves spending time with her husband and two teenage sons in Raleigh, N.C.