Unexpected encounters at airports and on airplanes
I bet you never came across some of these, either.
One of the best things about travelling is that I never get bored: There’s always something new to learn and discover. Not only at destination, but during the journey itself, too.
Despite having traveled for so many years around the world (often for free, thanks to some perks of the travel industry), planes and airports keep surprising me.
Here are four things I’ve encountered during my trips and that made me say “Oh, wow!”.
I bet you did not know about some of these, either!
#1 - Dimmable airplane windows
I have seen these on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a flight to Doha, Qatar. These electronically dimmable windows can be regulated via the small button beneath them, going from completely transparent to dark blue, eliminating the need for window blinds.
If you are curious to learn how these works, read here.
#2 - Airports with generous security controls
One of the most time consuming (yet necessary) things about flying by plane are the security controls at the airport. Removing objects like electronics and liquids from the hand suitcase can be really annoying, especially if you’re late for your flight.
However, at some airports like Amsterdam Schipol Airport in the Netherlands, passengers are allowed to keep their liquids and electronics in the suitcase during the security checks. Smart!
#3 - Face recognition at the gate
The standard boarding procedure requires passengers to show their passport or ID card, plus their boarding pass, to the staff at the gate.
But recently I came across something I hadn’t seen yet.
While I was travelling through G. Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (U.S.), the only thing I had to do at the gate was to look into a face scanner. Within 3-4 seconds, the device confirmed my identity and I was allowed to board my flight.
While from a passenger perspective this didn’t feel much quicker than the standard boarding procedure, it surely avoids the friction of taking out the documents before boarding a flight. Welcome to the future!
#4 Pet-friendly airports
Staying hydrated while travelling is one of the best ways to avoid jet-lag. While water fountains are still relatively rare across many airports (forcing passengers to buy overpriced water bottles), other airports do offer this service.
Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, is a great example from this point of view: Here I found not only water fountains form humans, but drinking stations for dogs, too!
Share your own unexpected encounter!
Have you ever encountered anything strange or unexpected on an airplane or at the airport? You’re welcome to share your experience in the comments!
About me:
As a passionate traveler and airline & hospitality expert I've been lucky to experience travel from behind the scenes -From crossing the Andes by bus, to flying Business class to the Maldives.
Some fun facts about my trips:
I’ve visited 5 of the 7 New World Wonders
Lowest point I’ve reached: Death Valley, California at -86 mt (-282 ft) altitude
Highest point I’ve reached: The Andes, 5,050 mt (16,568 ft) altitude
I've stayed at 100+ accommodations, from a tent in the Savannah to a houseboat on a French river
I’ve travelled 350,000+ km across 45+ countries and 5 continents by bus, car, boat, bike, hiking and so much more…
In my blog Beating Jetlag I share my travel experiences, insider tips and behind-the-scenes content for smart adventurers, as well as travel marketing recommendations for Creators. You can read more about me here.