Waiting is an inevitable part of traveling. You wait in traffic jams, at passport control, in front of the Louvre or for the oncoming train. Empty time filled with cell phone fiddling, secret nose picking or desperate attempts to keep the children happy with gummy bears. The saying “sweetens the waiting time” is no coincidence.
Many airports around the world are particularly good at sweetening things up, with their shopping malls and duty-free shops, massage chairs and coffee counters where the cappuccino is as expensive as if it had just been flown in exclusively, but hey, whatever, you have to somehow bring them around the hours before boarding. Even if it’s to at least get a free socket at the bar for your failing smartphone.
Coffee, shopping and massage are just the basic amenities. Some airports have long since unlocked completely different levels. In San Francisco, dogs, cats and even a pig are available to pet stressed passengers and calm their nerves. A surfing wave has been established in Munich, and you can get married during a stopover in Stockholm. And the crowning glory is Changi Airport in Singapore, with an orchid garden, outdoor pool, mini jungle and waterfall over seven floors.
The Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci in Florence, previously an airport of more regional importance, is now preparing to move into the league of adventure airports, with a “homage to the local Tuscan heritage”. At least that’s what the architectural firm responsible for planning the new international terminal promises. In the future, this should be part of the green, undulating ups and downs of the Tuscan vineyards.
Almost eight hectares of wine-growing area are planned on the sloping airport roof. A winemaker will process the grapes in the cellar and let them ripen into a fine wine. Probably a “Colle Aeroporto Riserva”, with notes of fine dust and fear of flying sweat and a touch of wanderlust in the finish, available in the local duty-free shop, with a free tour of the vineyard for orders of six bottles or more.
This has potential far beyond the pleasant waiting period. And it would help out of the dilemma that you would like to fly less – but unfortunately you can’t get to your favorite beach any other way and then, plagued by flying shame, you fold into the middle row seat. Well, if everything is already there, no one has to leave. So equip the airports with a good portion of exoticism from the test tube, a bit of beach life, a few animals, a bit of dream wedding romance. Palm trees for Paderborn, a jungle for Düsseldorf, colorful fish for Frankfurt. Some roof for a Tuscan vineyard will also be found, Stuttgart runway location for example.
And the problem with climate-damaging flights has already been resolved. Seen this way, Berlin-Brandenburg Airport could actually have been an enormously promising project. Unfortunately, they finally released it for air traffic.
The author has already waited a lot of time because she is always at the airport or train station way too early.
(Photo: Schifferdecker (illustration))