Airports across the country are getting renovated, and designers are making sure restrooms aren't overlooked. Larger restroom stalls, offset restroom doors that make it easier to access roller bags, and hands-free amenities and artwork are some of the changes you might see on your next trip. The goal of airport designers is to make the travel experience more comfortable for everyone.
I often travel alone and have a weak stomach, so I often find myself going to the airport toilets with my luggage.
Getting all your luggage into a stateroom and closing the door sometimes requires gymnastic flexibility that doesn't come naturally to me – plus, I don't travel with that much luggage!
The good news is that many airports around the country have been undergoing renovations recently, including my local airports, JFK and LGA in New York. Some of these projects have been funded by federal Department of Transportation grant programs, while others, including the two in New York, have been supported by public-private partnerships. Many of the renovations are being funded by other investments or a combination of these options.
While toilets may not be the first thing people think of when it comes to airport modernization, the designers of these projects are making sure not to downplay the restroom story.
“A key part of the passenger experience before and after a long flight is access to attractive, clean, comfortable and spacious restrooms,” Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority, which operates the major airports around New York City, told me in a written statement. “To meet these passenger expectations, all of our new terminals are designed with restroom cubicles that are significantly larger than the industry standard. Larger cubicles, offset cubicle doors to facilitate roller bags, hands-free amenities, and artwork that extends into the restrooms contribute to a world-class passenger experience that has earned our new terminals accolades as best-in-class.”
How airport toilets are changing
Before airport renovations began in earnest in my area, I often wondered why airport operators couldn't make their facilities bigger.
Jamie Havialis, chief technology officer for LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the company that oversaw the redevelopment of the airport's Terminal B and continues to operate and maintain it, said things aren't that simple.
“The cubicles have to be customized. They're manufactured for commercial office buildings and schools,” he said. “They're not designed for people bringing carry-on luggage.”
Havialis said LaGuardia Gateway Partners worked closely with the project's architects to find the optimal restroom design, among other factors, to make the travel experience more comfortable.
“We wanted to make it hands-free and give guests the proper space to bring their luggage, their coats and backpacks into their staterooms. They have the space to put it all there and can use the restroom and close the door,” he said.
Carry-on dimensions aren't the only thing being updated as airports are redesigned. Here's what you might see the next time you're on the road:
A spacious single stall family bathroom. Larger baby changing facilities. A more visible pet toileting area. Shelving and other features to keep items off the floor.
“We're considering that the traveller could be a single father with two kids, a single mother with two kids, someone who has a pet,” Havialis said.
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What the changes mean for travelers
The goal for airport designers is to make the travel experience more comfortable for everyone.
“The focus is shifting from transactional to true guest experience,” Havialis says. “The way airlines price changes the dynamics of how we travel.”
He added that with rising checked baggage fees, more people than ever are carrying carry-on bags and spending more time at airports than before.
Designers, even at airports where terminals were built decades ago, are working to accommodate changing travel habits.
Havialis said much of the philosophy behind the changes to LaGuardia's Terminal B is to make the airport experience feel as calm and smooth as possible.
“Whether it's a simple orchid in the bathroom or a poinsettia at Christmas, we create a spa-like atmosphere to put customers at ease,” he said.
We're not sure if you can accurately compare LaGuardia Airport's new bathrooms to a spa, but they are pretty nice!
Tips to make your airport life easier
While you may not have the benefit of a newly designed airport terminal the next time you travel, there are still things you can do to make your airport experience smoother.
Pack light. It's probably best to pack as light as possible to avoid having to carry a lot of luggage through the airport. Don't leave your luggage behind. Remember, all your belongings should be close to you at all times, especially if you're traveling alone. If you leave your luggage unattended, it may be considered a security risk and may be confiscated while you run other errands. Allow yourself plenty of time. Security lines can be long this summer, and you probably don't want to find yourself scrambling through an unfamiliar airport, especially if you're not a frequent traveler. Be kind. It's common to feel stressed while traveling, but that's no excuse for lashing out.
But with that in mind, you might see some strange behavior in airports, even though the airport space itself is supposed to be quieter. Airports may increasingly be designed to promote a sense of quiet, but there's not much architects can do about the behavior of other travelers.
Zach Wichter is a New York-based travel writer for USA TODAY. He can be reached at zwichter@usatoday.com.
