Airports can be crowded and vexing places to spend your time. They can also be charming, fun and surprising.
In 2024, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) brought back its coat check service, and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) hosted another pop-up marriage license bureau around Valentine’s Day. Plus, during this presidential election year, Oregon’s Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR) reminded travelers that there’s a replica of the Oval Office for rent at the airport.
As we start plotting out 2025 travel adventures, here’s a roundup of some of the best new amenities and events airports around the country rolled out in 2024.
Surprise and delight events at IND’s Civic Plaza
While most airports put key services and amenities behind security, Indianapolis International Airport (IND) maintains an active and inviting presecurity central hall called the Civic Plaza. It has a 35-foot-high ceiling and a five-story window wall, as well as plenty of dining venues, shops and art.
And the airport puts it to clever use.
In January, when Indianapolis hosted NBA All-Star Weekend 2024, a full-size (94-foot by 50-foot) replica of a basketball court made with vinyl adhesive appeared in the Civic Plaza. Free throws and pickup games were not allowed, but it was a big hit.
When Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” came to town in November, the airport turned Civic Plaza into Swift City. It was complete with Girl Scouts making and handing out friendship bracelets, a 30-foot-tall image of Taylor Swift, live music, a concert-themed menu and limited-time souvenirs.
And in December, Santa Claus did a practice run at the airport, racing across the taxiway in a fire truck and entering Civic Plaza on an airport-themed carpet.
SFO’s silent disco
In keeping with its status as a “quiet” airport with minimal overhead announcements, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) introduced a silent disco in February. It was appropriately dubbed the “San Fran-disco.”
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For a month, passengers were invited to let their hair down and dance along to San Francisco-themed music using their own headphones in a specially decorated postsecurity area of Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
Meteorites land at PWM
In March, airports in and around the path of totality for the April 8 total solar eclipse were gearing up for an influx of passenger traffic.
Building on the excitement, Maine’s Portland International Jetport (PWM) debuted an exhibit of 18 meteorites. Titled “Fly Me to the Moon,” the exhibit included meteorites on loan for five years from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s world-class meteorite collection. The specimens include the second-largest piece of moon on Earth, pieces of Mars and an iconic Gibeon meteorite that looks a lot like Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.”
Airports yuck it up for April Fool’s Day
Many airports around the country lean into April Fool’s Day.
This year, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) shared a photo of a plane entirely covered in sticky notes.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) introduced Travel Tubes — a “human pneumatic tube system allowing you to pre-check in the Ticketing Hall and then whiz straight to the gate.”
Virginia’s Norfolk International Airport (ORF) partnered up with its neighbor, Norfolk Botanical Garden, to give guests a unique way to travel between the garden and the airport: a Sky Lift offering great views of both the airfield and the garden’s 175 acres.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) teased the opening of an underground tunnel with a major art installation titled “River Tunnel” by claiming that the tunnel would be filled with water. “Disneyesque-type boats will replace moving walkways and paddles will be provided for passengers who want to row their own boats,” SLC claimed.
SFO terminals now connected postsecurity
Last year, we celebrated the fact that sprawling Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) completed the final postsecurity connection between all its terminals.
This year, SFO did the same.
In June, the last section of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at SFO was completed. It features new museum galleries, a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint accessible from the AirTrain station, additional aircraft gates, a third airport yoga room and new concessions. Better yet, there’s now a connecting walkway that links all SFO terminals postsecurity.
More gate pass programs
A growing list of airports offers gate pass programs that allow nonticketed guests to go through the TSA security checkpoint to greet an arriving passenger, spend more time with a friend or family member, or just enjoy the terminal’s art, shops and restaurants. You can apply for a gate pass at airports in Seattle, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Orlando and Palm Springs, California, in addition to a handful of other cities.
In July, Nashville International Airport (BNA) became the latest airport to adopt its version of the gate pass program. The BNA Passport allows nonticketed passengers to enjoy the airport’s robust live music on multiple stages. Visitors can also enjoy its “drinks to-go” policy, which allows them to mosey around the postsecurity area with a cocktail or beer.
‘My First Flight’ buttons at ORF
No matter if you’re a kid or an adult, your first flight on an airplane is a special occasion.
The team at ORF gets that. This year, the airport bought a button-making kit so it could create souvenir buttons to help passengers mark that giddy special day feeling.
ORF’s “My First Flight” buttons are available at the airport information booth; the airport’s Volunteer Ambassadors have a stash as well.
PDX opens a tree-lined main terminal
In August, Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) opened its expansive and reimagined main terminal designed by architecture firm ZGF. Part of a $2.15 billion makeover, the impressive forestlike presecurity space has a soaring timber roof; the latest in check-in and checkpoint technology; more than 70 live trees; 5,000-plus live plants; and plenty of art, shops and restaurants.
Stadium seating in the main terminal is perfect for hanging out before a flight with friends and family or listening to live music. And there’s a treat in the lounge area atop each bank of seating. PDX has faithfully recreated the much-loved teal-and-purple carpet pattern that inspired thousands of shoe selfies.
SLC brings back its world map
In 2024, SLC completed the third phase of its redevelopment by opening a new underground tunnel. It also welcomed new art installations and surprised the traveling public by announcing that the airport’s iconic terrazzo world map (first installed in 1960) had been saved.
When the new airport terminal was being built, engineers announced that they couldn’t save the map — but they did. The map is now back on view in the Concourse B Plaza.
LGB caps off its centennial year with pickleball
California’s Long Beach Airport (LGB) celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2024 with a yearlong campaign. It reopened its Historic Terminal, issued a collectible series of posters in the style of the Work Projects Administration’s national park posters, installed a time capsule and jumped into the pickleball craze with a pop-up pickleball court — just in time for holiday travels.
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