Cloud has silver lining – new airport amenities
Aim is to reduce stress, make visit enjoyable
While air travel in the United States has been ticking up since record low days in April, it has been an incredibly tough year for airlines and airports.
Still, throughout the year, airports have pressed forward with introducing new features, new art, new technology and new amenities for passengers. The goal: to make being in the terminals less stressful, more enjoyable and, by necessity, safer.
For example, back in January, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, went smoke-free, making it one of last major U.S. airports to do so. And in February, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport introduced a coat-check service.
Here are some other new amenities airports introduced in 2020, although some may be temporarily unavailable because of health concerns.
New art, attractions, and a new terminal
As part of the much acclaimed rebuild of New York’s LaGuardia Airport, November saw a 25-foot-tall water feature turned on in Terminal B. In addition to displaying various patterns and shapes, the water falling from the towers’ nozzles serves as a backdrop for projected laser shows celebrating New York, holidays and events
In November, Denver International Airport celebrated the arrival of the 27-foot-tall “Luminous Wind” sculpture at the light rail station stop right before the airport.
Earlier this fall, Salt Lake City International Airport unveiled its new Terminal B, which represents the first
phase of the first new hub airport built in the U.S. in the 21st century.
New observation decks, 780-foot pedestrian bridge
Back in February, San Francisco International Airport opened the SkyTerrace. The pre-security deck in Terminal 2 is open to the public and offers 180-degree views of the busiest section of SFO, where all four runways intersect.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport claimed a spot in the record books in February with the installation of a 780-foot-long pedestrian bridge that is now the world’s longest structure over an active taxiway.
And as part of its Gate Expansion Program, in November, Denver International Airport unveiled an outdoor deck on the west side of Concourse B. In addition to outdoor seating, the deck has a pet relief area and fire pits.
Entertainment
While most airports had to put their in-terminal music and performance programs on hold, airports continued to offer entertainment.
Nearly two dozen airports banded together in May for JetStream music festivals. The free, multihour livestream events featured musicians from the entertainment lineup offered by the participating airports.
Over the summer, California’s Ontario International Airport, which has served as movie set for some popular films, set up movie screens and drive-in movie nights. In October, Akron-Canton Airport and Nebraska’s Lincoln Airport offered drive-in movie nights for Halloween-season movies.
And Dallas Fort Worth International Airport unveiled a Coca-Cola-themed lounge in Terminal D complete with charging stations, seating, activities and memorabilia-filled exhibits.
New measures for health and safety
Of course, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, airports have been focusing time, energy, creativity and, of course, money on making sure the terminals are clean and safe for travelers.
Since March, airports throughout the country have sprouted hand-sanitizing stations, PPE vending machines and temperature-check programs.
They have developed contactless systems for bag check, check-in, security screening and boarding as well as for food orders and delivery. And cleaning and sanitizing robots have joined the permanent staff at many airports.
And as the holiday season kicks off, COVID-19 testing stations, many in partnership with airlines, are quickly proliferating at airports across the nation.
ALABAMA Birmingham: Hospitals that already are treating a record number of COVID-19 patients are bracing for a “tidal wave” of additional caseslinked to holiday gatherings, a health official said Tuesday. Only 11% of the state’s intensive care beds were available Monday, according to the Alabama Hospital Association.
ALASKA Kenai: Some borough attorneys have refuted a claim by the state’s top lawyer that boroughs can enact mask mandates. Lawyers representing second-class boroughs sent a letter about their concerns to Alaska Acting Attorney General Ed Sniffen, The Peninsula Clarion reports.
ARIZONA Tucson: COVID-19-related hospitalizations continue to climb as the state on Wednesday reported more than 3,800 newly confirmed cases. COVID-19 hospitalizations reached 2,699 as of Tuesday, up more than 100 from Monday. And the Tucson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to establish a mandatory nightly curfew, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for three weeks beginning Friday.
ARKANSAS Little Rock: The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 reached another record Tuesday as the state unveiled an effort to coordinate virus cases among hospitals. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state would begin using its Trauma Communications Center to coordinate transfers of COVID-19 patients.
CALIFORNIA Sacramento: A staggering rise in coronavirus cases could overwhelm the state’s health system within weeks, and “drastic” action such as a widespread stay-at-home order may be needed to combat the threat, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned.
COLORADO Denver: In an effort to keep residents fed and employed this winter, the Legislature concluded a special session Wednesday by passing bills offering assistance to restaurants and food pantries struggling to keep doors open amid the pandemic.
CONNECTICUT Manchester: Laptop computers have been provided for every student identified as in need, state officials said Wednesday, touting progress in closing the digital divide as a pandemic silver lining. DELAWARE Dover: Schools are “safe places” and should continue a mix of in-person and virtual instruction despite a spike in coronavirus cases, Gov. John Carney said Tuesday.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washing
ton: D.C. already has the ultra-cold storage capacity it needs to house coronavirus vaccines when they become available, WUSA-TV reports, but will likely only get a fraction of the doses it needs to inoculate frontline health care workers at first.
FLORIDA Miami: The state surpassed 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday as the governor vowed not to adopt any further restrictions.
GEORGIA Atlanta: Students who took online classes at the University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology because of the pandemic are seeking a return of some tuition and fees. The students filed two class-action suits this week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
HAWAII Honolulu: Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard said her department takes responsibility for the actions of officers on its now-suspended coronavirus enforcement units who are accused of abusing the department’s overtime policy. Ballard confirmed Monday in a statement that multiple investigations are being conducted about the officers accused of submitting as many as 300 overtime hours in one week.
IDAHO Boise: Three gas retailers have reached a settlement agreement with the state attorney general after his office launched an investigation into their fuel prices. The retailers don’t admit any wrongdoing under the agreement but say they agreed to the settlement because it will help consumers facing economic difficulties during the pandemic.
ILLINOIS Springfield: The state on Wednesday reported a record 238 fatalities related to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly one-quarter higher than the previous record set during the spring onslaught of the illness. INDIANA Indianapolis: The number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana nearly doubled in November, and the state reported Tuesday that coronavirus-related hospitalizations remain at their highest point of the pandemic.
IOWA Des Moines: The state posted 22 additional deaths from the coronavirus Wednesday, the third consecutive day of more than 20 deaths and raising the state’s toll to 2,449. KANSAS Topeka: The state on Wednesday reported the sharpest increase of deaths over a two-day period since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with a rise of 119 fatalities.
KENTUCKY Frankfort: The state reported record-high numbers of new coronavirus cases and deaths Tuesday. Gov. Andy Beshear announced 4,151 more cases statewide and 35 deaths. He called it “the very worst day” since he started reporting daily virus numbers in March.
LOUISIANA Baton Rouge: Amid the state’s third surge of the coronavirus outbreak, craft brewers and bar owners told lawmakers Wednesday that Gov. John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 restrictions are damaging their operations and threaten to bankrupt their businesses.
MAINE Augusta: With Gov. Janet Mills in quarantine, the state’s acting chief justice instead swore lawmakers into office Wednesday in a historic offsite session that featured the state’s first openly gay House speaker and the first Black woman in a party leadership position. Mills delivered a video message urging lawmakers to put safety first as they gathered at the Augusta Civic Center, where the session was moved from the Statehouse to ensure adequate space for social distancing. MARYLAND Annapolis: Faced with surging COVID-19 cases, Gov. Larry Hogan announced measures Tuesday to boost the number of available health care workers and plan for more hospital beds.
MASSACHUSETTS Boston: Gov. Charlie Baker is urging those attending worship services to adhere to COVID-19 precautions, like wearing masks and socially distancing, particularly for indoor services. The state is still seeing too many COVID-19 clusters that can be traced back to houses of worship, he said.
MICHIGAN Detroit: Bars and restaurants lost a challenge Wednesday to the state’s ban on indoor dining and warned about business failures and deep job losses if the restriction is extended.
MINNESOTA Minneapolis: State health authorities reported 77 new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday – the second-highest one-day total yet.
MISSISSIPPI Jackson: Gov. Tate Reeves instituted mask mandates in 13 more counties Tuesday but chose not to implement the measure statewide, a week after prominent health care leaders called on him to do so. Twelve major hospitals had no intensive care unit beds available Tuesday, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said.
MISSOURI Columbia: The Legislature resumed work Tuesday after a special session had been delayed because several lawmakers tested positive for the coronavirus. The Senate budget committee gave initial approval to a $1.2 billion coronavirus aid package mostly comprised of federal funding.
MONTANA Helena: A new counseling hotline is available to help residents struggling with their mental health during the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Steve Bullock announced Tuesday. The hotline at 1-877-503-0833 is funded by a $1.6 million federal grant and will be available for at least the next nine months.
NEBRASKA Lincoln: One of the state’s largest county jails is locked down after a coronavirus outbreak among inmates, and a state prison inmate with the virus has died.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Durham: State lawmakers bundled up and spread out on an athletic field Wednesday to start their next two-year session. Many House Democrats skipped the gathering over coronavirus concerns, and the no-shows, coupled with a show of force by Republicans, signaled a rough path ahead.
NEW JERSEY Hackensack: Health officials are investigating a rise in COVID-19 cases at Ocean Medical Center that has reportedly infected at least 100 employees.
NEW MEXICO Albuquerque: The state was expected to mark another grim milestone Wednesday, with confirmed coronavirus cases topping 100,000, as some public health restrictions were eased following a two-week lockdown. Health care providers say they are at capacity.
NEW YORK New York: An owner of a Staten Island bar that was providing indoor service in defiance of coronavirus restrictions was arrested after a sting in which plainclothes officers ordered food and beverages, the city sheriff ’s office said. Protesters shouted as deputies arrested Danny Presti, the co-owner of Mac’s Public House, on Tuesday.
NORTH CAROLINA Wilson: Nearly half of third to 12th grade students in Wilson County Schools failed a class this school year while taking virtual classes as a result of the pandemic, the district’s data shows.
NORTH DAKOTA Fargo: City commissioners plan to provide assistance to local businesses affected by the pandemic, beyond what is available at the state and federal level. Possibilities could include waiving next year’s liquor license fees, adjusting utility bills and property tax reductions, KFGO reports.
OHIO Columbus: A leading business group asked employees to model best practices for reducing the spread of the coronavirus as it warned of the impact the spike in cases could have on the economy. The Ohio Business Roundtable wants workers to encourage maskwearing at any gathering outside immediate family, avoid large gatherings such as game day celebrations, and reconsider indoor parties.
OKLAHOMA Oklahoma City: State health officials reported a recordhigh 54 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, more than double the previous one-day record.
OREGON Salem: The state reported 24 more deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, a record high for a single day. Meanwhile, officials in Silverton are trying to monitor a potential outbreak among firefighters.
PENNSYLVANIA Harrisburg: Regional “strike teams” will fan out across the state over the next 12 weeks in a bid to improve its coronavirus testing efforts, the governor announced Tuesday, as health officials anticipated a post-Thanksgiving surge.
RHODE ISLAND Providence: The state Department of Corrections’ medical director is stepping down as Rhode Island’s prison system deals with a spike in coronavirus cases. The department reported Monday that 488 prisoners and 112 staffers had tested positive in November.
SOUTH CAROLINA Greenville: The state Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 1,612 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 new deaths. Of test results reported Tuesday to DHEC, 21.6% were positive.
SOUTH DAKOTA Sioux Falls: The state on Wednesday reported that 47 people had died from COVID-19, one of the highest single-day death tallies since the pandemic began.
TENNESSEE Nashville: Lawmakers who have often been critical of government restrictions to curb COVID19’s spread are suggesting ways to give themselves the power to limit or overturn emergency orders from the governor during future health crises.
TEXAS Marfa: The state surpassed 9,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients Tuesday for the first time since a deadly summer outbreak as the pandemic’s spread threatened the Big Bend region near the desert artist hub of Marfa, where tourists continued visiting and officials urged people to stay home. Texas reported more than 15,000 new cases Tuesday, smashing the prior one-day record.
UTAH St. George: With winter sports in the state set to begin Thursday, the high school governing body has released updated guidelines for teams and spectators. The UHSAA’s Returnto-Play Protocol includes recommendations based on each county’s COVID-19 transmission rate.
VERMONT Montpelier: People who attended multi-household holiday gatherings against the governor’s order are urged to quarantine and get tested for the coronavirus.
VIRGINIA Richmond: A health system serving a swath of the central Appalachians said Wednesday that it will halt nonemergency elective procedures due to surging COVID-19 cases and capacity concerns. Ballad Health officials said the change will take effect Monday and last at least 30 days. Gov. Ralph Northam said health officials believe Tennessee’s lack of a mask mandate and other restrictions has helped increase the virus’s spread in neighboring southwest Virginia communities.
WASHINGTON Mount Vernon: The vast majority of Skagit County businesses are complying with emergency rules to curb the spread of COVID19, but a few have been cited and fined for violations. The Skagit Valley Herald reports Skagit Arms is the first county business to be fined by the Department of Labor & Industries for a COVID-19 mask violation.
WEST VIRGINIA Fairmont: The Marion County Family Resource Network hosted Santa Claus for a breakfast event in the city last year, but the pandemic is preventing his return this year. However, Frank Jarman, executive director of the Family Resource Network, said the nonprofit will serve as a liaison between Saint Nick and area families through a new Letters to Santa initiative instead.
WISCONSIN Madison: Republicans who control the state Senate won’t take up any COVID-19 relief measures before January, the incoming majority leader said Wednesday, even though Assembly Republicans have said they’re open to coming in this month, and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has urged swift action before federal money runs out. Republicans who control the Legislature are at odds on what the next step should be in fighting the virus.
WYOMING Cheyenne: The governor says he disagrees with a state Republican Party resolution calling on him to rescind a state of emergency in place since the onset of the pandemic. GOP Gov. Mark Gordon called the resolution approved by the Wyoming State Republican Central Committee a “very unfortunate choice.”