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.
