JetBlue recently cut the ribbon at its new $740 million, seventy-two-acre terminal at New York’s JFK Airport. Called “JetBlue T5,” it’s quite a futuristic, twenty-six-gate sight to behold. Within hours of its unveiling, I had friends emailing me to make plans to go visit. “Visit an airport ... when I don’t have to?” I asked incredulously, and then followed with a line of complaints as long as the face of your average traveler. Airports are where strange people pee on the toilet seat; smelly socks are paraded through security; pregnant people ask to jump the line that you’ve been standing on for two hours; old people take too long checking in, and airlines charge me extra for luggage that they will probably lose. Yes, I realize that I sound tense, but with security alerts, airline delays, surcharges, and cutbacks, travel is hardly a relaxing activity of late.
Perhaps I should go visit JetBlue’s shiny new terminal, so that instead of rushing to just get through it, I can stop and appreciate it for exactly what it is—a destination in itself. There are also a few other cool airports worth visiting, appreciating, and—I can’t believe I’m suggesting this—delaying a little while in.
New Doha International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Photo source: Airport-Technology
Scheduled to open in 2010, New Doha International Airport will have the longest runways in the world (2.64 miles) and enlarged hangars and gate areas. But more importantly (for weary passengers), there are plans to include an oasis of gardens, a mosque, and luxe relaxation areas. Also nice to know we won’t have to worry about making small talk with royals—the Emir of Qatar gets his own terminal here.
Altiport de Courchevel, French Alps, France
Photo source: Lo M (cc)
Courchevel airport was featured in the opening scene of Tomorrow Never Dies, and I can tell it’s one of those airports sure to leave me with a new appreciation for airports—and for life. It has an extremely short uphill runway of 1,722 feet, ending with a vertical drop at the end to slow landing aircraft. Factor in the icy and snowy conditions and suddenly all other travel gripes feel insignificant.
Sondika Airport, Bilbao, Spain
Photo source: jmhdezhdez (cc)
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava’s aviation masterpiece, completed in 2000, is nicknamed “La Paloma” (the Dove) because of its resemblance to a giant bird about to take flight.
Shenzen Bao’an International Airport, China
Photo source: Airport-Technology
Due to be completed in 2015, Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas’ Chinese masterpiece has been designed specifically to cater to the passenger whilst taking account of environmental and socio-economic factors. It resembles an airplane from above and is spatially designed to cater to the travelers’ different needs. They had me with this description, “It will ergonomically ease the travelers’ passage through the structure and decrease walking distances and processing times while providing the convenience of eateries and shops.” I’m booking my flights now …
Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China
Photo source: Wikipedia
I’ve seen so many engineering shows dedicated to the engineering marvel that is Hong Kong International Airport—known locally Chek Lap Kok International Airport—that I can actually imagine myself planning a visit to Hong Kong just so I can see it. It was built on an island of reclaimed land, sixteen miles out to sea, and with a whopping $20 billion price tag.
New Terminal 5 at JFK Airport, New York, USA
Photo source: JetBlue
JetBlue’s new, efficient, and customer-friendly Terminal 5 rises behind the historic Eero Saarinen terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Terminal 4, Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain
Photo source: Giramondo1 (cc)
If the words “light” and “color” do not remind you of your last airport experience, I can tell you were not in Madrid. Designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership in association with Antonio Lamela, the new Terminal 4 (inaugurated in 2006) at Barajas Airport in Madrid uses natural light streaming through the undulating wing-like roof and glass walls to give passengers a stress-free start to their journey. Color is also used to ease the traveler’s mind: giant color-coded steel beams support the bamboo-lined roof and gates are color coded for easy reference. (Deep blue for north and deep red for farthest south.)
Gibraltar Airport, Gibraltor
Photo source: Wikipedia
I like the idea of doing a little window-shopping while my plane lands, so I know I’ll love Gibraltar Airport. It has the distinction of being the closest airport to the city that it serves, being only 500 meters from Gibraltar’s city center. An active road crosses the runway connecting Gibraltar to Spain so it’s not unusual to see a truck waiting for your plane to land so that it can continue along with its journey.
The joy of travel is that the journey itself can be as interesting as the final destination. Next time I travel, instead of focusing on how getting from A to B brings out the ugly in everyone (okay, me), I’ll stop and notice what a beautiful structure I’m rushing about in.