For many passengers, the airport experience is often viewed as a stressful necessity but many airports are now going beyond the call of duty to ensure that time spent in the terminal before or after a flight can be put to good use. Here, Airport Business rounds-up a selection of the latest innovations:
Sheremetyevo International Airport
Passengers travelling through Sheremetyevo International Airport can now rent new ‘Sleepboxes’, which include a bed, television, WiFi access and luggage storage space.
The first Sleepbox was installed in the Aeroexpress Terminal at the airport in mid-August.
Currently, one-, two- or three-bed Sleepboxes are available and passengers can rent them for anywhere between 30 minutes and several hours. Each unit also includes electricity sockets so that customers can charge their laptops and mobile phones before continuing with their journey. Luggage can be stored under the bed, general lighting and reading lamps are provided, and electric blinds are installed for privacy.
Depending on the location, the Sleepbox can also be tailored to suit meet the demands of the airport and passenger, and can include matted film windows with changing transparency, mood lighting created by LED lamps with alternating light colours, a built-in media block, Wi-Fi router, alarm and intercom, safe deposit box and a built-in payment system with magnetic keys. In countries with a warm climate, the Sleepbox can also be installed outdoors.
The Sleepboxes in Sheremetyevo International Airport include a bed, television, WiFi access and luggage storage space.
EBC offers a portfolio of over 20 services, including Left Baggage Storage, Domestic Baggage Delivery and Lost and Found services, as well as Baggage Shipping, Security Bag Wrap and Travel Goods and Accessory Retail.
Gatwick and Manchester Airports
Two major UK airports – Gatwick and Manchester – have this year introduced upgraded airport concierge services to simplify the passenger experience.
The improved baggage services, which are provided by Excess Baggage Company (EBC), are in place in Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal and Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1, and further units are scheduled for Gatwick’s North and South Terminals, London Heathrow’s Terminals 4 and 5, as well as Manchester’s Terminal 2.
EBC offers a portfolio of over 20 services, including Left Baggage Storage, Domestic Baggage Delivery and Lost and Found services in the arrivals area. In the departures area, the company also offers services such as Baggage Shipping, Security Bag Wrap and Travel Goods and Accessory Retail.
The EBC Arrivals service has also been extended to include Hotel Reservations, Taxi and Limousine Booking, Duty Free Shop & Collect, and Tour & Shopping booking.
Another departures development is an innovative concept of mini ‘pop-up’ luggage and travel accessory stores, which can also be combined with Bag Wrap.
Munich Airport
Munich Airport has introduced ‘napcabs’ to extend the level of comfort offered to passengers, allowing them to relax in private sleeping cabins, which can be rented in the departure and transit areas.
Inside the cabin, passengers are presented with a variety of videos and music, as well as Internet access, or they can simply relax in the pleasant atmosphere created by specially installed lighting.
To ensure ease of use, passengers can book napcabs by the hour, using a touchscreen booking system on the front of the cabin and swiping their credit card. Usage analysis suggests that the average customer uses the napcab for two to three hours. After each use, cleaning staff are automatically notified to tidy up the cabin and prepare fresh linen so that the napcab is quickly ready for the next customer.
As well as helping to enhance the passenger experience, the revenue share model carries no financial risk to the airport, and the required space is simply rented by napcabs.
Another benefit of the sleeping cabins, which offer a supplement to traditional airport hotels, is that they can be clustered at varying locations in close proximity to the lounges and they can utilise small areas, which are unsuitable for other retail offerings.
To ensure ease of use, passengers can book napcabs by the hour, using a touchscreen booking system on the front of the cabin and swiping their credit card.
The unveiling of the flagship No.1 Traveller Lounge at London Heathrow’s T3 follows the opening of similar lounges at Gatwick and Stansted airports.
London Heathrow
Terminal 3 at London Heathrow is now home to a brand new No.1 Traveller Lounge, which includes private, en-suite pod-style accommodation, a travel spa, business centre and a mini cinema, in addition to the more traditional airport lounge offerings such as a fully-tended bar and freshly prepared food.
The lounge opened this summer and also offers panoramic views of the airfield, as well as a quiet room and a games room for passengers to enjoy. Transfer passengers can make use of the en-suite bedrooms, while the travel spa offers massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
John Holland-Kaye, commercial director, BAA, said: “We’re really excited about this new addition to Terminal 3. We believe it will make our passengers’ journeys better and in particular, it will benefit all of our connecting passengers who can unwind and freshen up ahead of the final leg of their journey.”
