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 …
