A summer of travel chaos has underscored the urgency of digital innovations that streamline and speed up the airport journey, from check-in to boarding and beyond. Operators are investing in artificial-intelligence-enabled (AI) biometrics, intuitive digital wayfinding and virtual queuing systems to minimise future disruption.

While hygiene protocols continue to be important, leading airports are attending to numerous holistic health concerns – from reducing anxiety and supporting sleep, to improving accessibility for people with disabilities. With 87% of global travellers wanting private relaxation spaces in terminals, wellness-centric lounges are flourishing (Collinson, 2021).

Airports can serve as a compelling window into regional or national cultures for experience-hungry travellers. Recognising this, several recent launches diverge from a homogenous, sterile aesthetic in favour of bespoke, localised décor. Food and beverage propositions focusing on locally sourced produce similarly help kickstart or extend the tourism experience.

While the race is on to develop cleaner aviation fuels – and architects feud over the ethics of participating in airport projects – tomorrow’s terminal buildings must recentre sustainability. Embodied carbon architecture, rainfall harvesting and renewable energy microgrids are among the features aiming to cut environmental footprints.