Inbound Insider Magazine: Airport Upgrades to Improve Traveling Experience

In a considerable boost for travelers worldwide, the United States government is heavily investing in the upgrade of airport infrastructure across the country.

Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration announced $970 million in grants for 114 airports nationwide. This funding is expected to modernize aging facilities and improve the airport experience for travelers.

Several major airports are in line for significant upgrades. Washington Dulles International Airport will receive $35 million to construct a new 14-gate terminal and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, another major hub, will leverage its $40 million grant to modernize an existing terminal.

Meanwhile, the focus for Los Angeles International Airport is on smoothing the journey. Its $31 million allocation will go toward enhancing roadways surrounding the airport, while San Francisco International Airport will also receive $31 million, its focus is on replacing outdated mechanical and electrical systems. Major airports in Salt Lake City, Denver, and Charlotte will also benefit from grants of $20 million or more each. This initiative follows similar funding allocated in 2022 and 2023. 

Here are some of the improvements scheduled across the country:

Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Illinois

The most recent grant, along with a $50 million grant awarded in 2023, will be used to upgrade customer amenities, improve security screening and expand accessibility for passengers with disabilities at Terminal 3. Planned upgrades at Terminal 3 include:

• The reconfiguration of two Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints into a single screening area, providing space for modern and more efficient equipment
• An expanded passenger corridor between Concourse K and Concourse L, tripling the current corridor’s width
• Upgrades to the terminal’s baggage facilities and systems, including a completely revamped baggage claim area 

This $1.3 billion project increased by 25% the capacity of its international terminal, which is expected to lead to fewer delays. Space for passenger amenities was also increased by 75 percent.

Denver International Airport
Colorado

Denver International Airport’s Great Hall Project is undergoing a major upgrade of the Jeppesen Terminal. Phase one, currently taking place, includes new ticketing areas for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Phase two, which is also underway, is adding a new security checkpoint and is scheduled to be completed in 2024. These changes figure to streamline the airport experience for passengers and should result in a quicker TSA security checkpoint experience.

Houston George Bush Intl. Airport
Texas

Construction is underway at Terminal E in Houston in preparation for a new international terminal. One of the standout features of the new terminal will be the custom canopy welcoming airport guests along the expanded Departures curb. The new D-West Concourse, which expands IAH Terminal D by 10 new gates, welcomes passengers to the United States and Houston by greeting them with commissioned art from Houston-based artists.

The concourse will add space for new five-star shops, bars and restaurants. The new gates will add the ability to accommodate six wide-body aircraft simultaneously, which will expand the airport’s global reach and improve its efficiency in shuttling aircraft in and out in a timely manner. The upgraded design, art and furniture will make Terminal D inviting, comfortable and inclusive for more passengers.

John F. Kennedy International Airport
New York

Scheduled to debut in 2026 is the New Terminal One, a 2.4-million-square-foot terminal that will replace the existing Terminal 1. This terminal will converge beloved New York City stores, global brands and other amenities under one roof. The collection is expected to include several first-to-airport market brands and focus on unique products food, and beverage sourced from local makers. When complete, the New Terminal One will be the largest terminal at JFK, with 23 gates and more than 300,000 square feet of retail, dining and lounge space over a total footprint of 2.4 million square feet. These improvements are expected to offer a passenger experience on par with some of the best airports in the world.

LaGuardia Airport
New York

This airport in Queens underwent significant renovations and the Airports Council International announced LaGuardia earned the 2023 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport of 25 to 40 Million Passengers in North America. The $8 billion investment to transform LaGuardia has improved its customer experience significantly.

This is the latest accolade given to LaGuardia. In 2023, the airport’s Terminal B was named the world’s best new terminal based on feedback from customers around the world – making its airline terminal the first in America to achieve the highest global 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax. The new Terminal B spans 1.35 million square feet and boasts state-of-the-art facilities including 35 gates and dual pedestrian bridges connecting to island concourses. The opening of Terminal B also featured dual skybridges overlooking an active aircraft taxiway, making LaGuardia the first airport in the world to have this amenity.

Los Angeles International Airport
California

LAX is in the midst of a $30 billion capital investment program, now in its final phase. The massive project, which began in 2009, is the largest public works program in the history of Los Angeles. Work involves the upgrade of terminals 4 and 5 along with the addition of an automated people mover, designed to take passengers between the terminals and stops outside the airport. This is scheduled to be completed in 2024 and will significantly improve the time spent for passengers traveling through the airport.

Also, an off-site facility for all rental companies (which will be the largest car rental facility in the world, with room for around 18,000 vehicles) is expected to be completed in 2024. This will consolidate rental car operations currently spread across the surrounding area of LAX into one location located near the 405 freeway. LAX is the No. 2 rental car market of any domestic airport and this new facility will create a better rental car experience for the hundreds of thousands of travelers renting cars each year.

Portland International Airport
Oregon

A new main terminal is set to open at Portland International Airport in 2025 through a $1.5 billion project. It will feature wide corridors lined by trees and local shops and restaurants and is expected to give the airport a more pleasing feel for travelers, as it will be configured like an indoor version of a small town’s main street.

Salt Lake City International Airport
Utah

This airport debuted its first phase in 2020 with a new parking garage, terminal and west end of two concourses. The second phase, which includes new concourses and gates, is to be completed in 2024. Construction of Phase 3 of The New SLC is underway and scheduled to open in fall 2024. Phase 3 includes The Central Tunnel—connecting A and B Concourses—and an art installation. Large increases in passenger volume necessitated the airport to implement these expansion plans. SLC is reportedly growing at an average of 5% annually, and these changes address that as they modernize an aging airport.

Francisco International Airport
California

The airport’s International Terminal is in the process of doubling its capacity at the security screening checkpoint with refurbished restrooms and lounge furnishings also on the docket. Also, Harvey Milk Terminal 1, which opened in 2019, will debut an updated North Ticketing Lobby in late 2024.

A recent renovation expanded the airport’s capacity from 10 million passengers annually to 17 million, and sustainable thinking was woven throughout the design and construction. SFO is using modern materials, technologies and practices to help the airport attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. The new terminal is designed to use 70% less energy and achieve a 95% reduction in operating carbon emissions.

Technology Trends

Airports are also slated to experience technological upgrades in 2024 and beyond that will transform the future of air travel. Biometrics is becoming popular in airports, transforming security and boarding with a focus on efficiency, accuracy and a smoother passenger experience. Here are some of the ways biometrics are changing airport operations:

• Faster Check-In and Boarding: Forget fumbling for passports and boarding passes. Biometrics, like facial recognition, allow passengers to simply look into a camera for verification, streamlining check-in and boarding processes.
• Reduced Wait Times: Long lines at security and immigration? Biometrics can significantly reduce wait times. Facial recognition can verify identities at immigration checkpoints, while biometric boarding passes eliminate the need for paper documents.
• Enhanced Security: Biometrics add another layer of security. Fingerprint scans or iris scans can confirm a passenger’s identity, helping to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, biometric baggage verification ensures luggage is matched to the rightful owner.
• Seamless Travel Experience: Imagine a touchless journey through the airport. Biometrics can create a smoother experience, from check-in to boarding, eliminating the need for physical documents.

The airport robot market is projected for significant growth by 2025, fueled by investments in automation. These smart robots could replace human-staffed information desks, offering 24/7 assistance to passengers. They could also revolutionize airport operations by streamlining tasks like security screening, baggage handling, and floor cleaning, making air travel smoother for everyone.

Artificial Intelligence became a hot topic in 2023 and is being used in airports across the world. As an example, Air India is using GPT-4 technology on its website to enhance the customer experience. Similarly, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is reportedly leveraging ChatGPT to develop a framework for its Aviation Technology Master Plan.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Overair – a developer of advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – have announced a memorandum of understanding to cooperatively explore the future of vertiport development and eVTOL aircraft operations within the DFW Metroplex. The partnership will include a feasibility assessment for integrating passenger eVTOL operations across the North Texas region. eVTOL aircraft are being developed around the world as the next step in urban air mobility, potentially creating advanced point-to-point electric air transit options.