With views of the downtown skyline, the $1.1 billion new Indianapolis airport has been celebrated for its sense of place, and for treating its passengers as "guests," much the way the hotel industry does. It has its own civic plaza, a light-filled central space with 35-foot ceilings that functions as the nexus of activity—every passenger, whether arriving or departing, passes through—where half of all the airport's shops and restaurants reside. [...]
What is Indy doing right?
— citylab.com
7 Comments
Yes, we do have a lovely airport, and I never have to wait more than a few minutes in security. Plus we must have the happiest TSA agents of all time - I've never had one be even slightly impatient or gruff, they are always cheerful.
^Rod Sterling must run the place...
I'm really digging this new generation of airport terminals, going from some of the most oppressive environments this side of the Titanic's boiler room, to the open and airy places they're becoming is a change for the better. What kind of traffic does Indianapolis get?
Since we have our very own Indianapolitan here on Archinect, let's ask her about this place.
Donna, your airport does look and sound pretty nice, I have to say. A beautiful, convenient and comfortable airport is a joy forever. But is it truly "a destination in its own right" as the headline claims? Meaning, do non-flyers go there to hang out? It's tough to imagine any airport being that attractive.
@citizen It's really nice but no, people don't go there to hangout, it's not close enough to the city plus who wants to deal with parking? It's an extremely pleasant airport though and very easy to navigate.
There are lots of benefits to having 10,000 people a day through a facility than 100,000 or more.
citizen, no one goes there to hang out. But it serves a large rural population that has to come into the city on a very unpredictable timetable - you never know when a flight will be delayed meaning you face a 2-hour drive home and back again vs. a four hour stay in the airport waiting. It's a lovely place to stay for four hours, if you have to.
One time my husband and son came to pick me up and they went ahead and arrived an hour early so they could have dinner in the main atrium space before I arrived. So I suppose you could say they "hung out" there rather than get dinner elsewhere before coming to the terminal.
In the USA I'd say the former NWA terminal at Detroit is the only terminal more pleasant and enjoyable - I spent a 7 hour layover there once with my infant son and it was very nice for a layover. NWA doesn't exist anymore, right? But I'm sure the terminal is still being used.
The hands-down best terminal I've ever experienced is Richard Rogers' Terminal 4 at Madrid - oh heavens. It was blissful to arrive there, so easy to navigate, simple and ample amenities, so beautiful to look at...
The important thing for the Naptown airport is that our convention travelers have a stress-free, enjoyable experience. We native Hoosiers (gaaaaah can't believe I just referred to myself as such!) benefit from the hospitality we offer our guests to keep getting their convention dollars.
I dunno... I'd say "let's have dinner at the airport before picking mom up" might qualify as a destination of sorts. Wayne's comment above is what I was thinking about even the nicest airport: too inaccessible for casual visits.
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