Airport Experience® News -Customer Service Issue 2026

travelers can enjoy everything from a 3,000 gallon aquarium and a 360-degree immersive installation called The Moment Vault, where children can play with bioluminescent fish and visit the surface of Mars to an entertainment program that features musical performances, visiting face painters, caricature artists and even baby gators from nearby Gatorland wildlife park. Over on MSP’s ticketing and baggage claim level, a 29-foot-high glass and metal sculpture entitled The Aurora by Jen Lewin invites children to jump on a cluster of reflective glass platforms symbolizing Minnesota and the Twin City area lakes complete with swirling light and color changes to match the sculpture above. And in airport dining spaces, many concessionaires have tuned their menu offerings to accommodate younger palates. At many airports including MSP, clustering kid-friendly food options is a strategy to make sure families can find easy meal options on-the-go. “In a pinch, our coffee locations are stocked with milk for the little ones,” adds Lea. “Airports with nearby family attractions like Orlando International Airport (MCO), San Francisco International Airport (SFO),

or Denver International Airport (DEN) are naturally top of mind when we think about family travelers, “says Justin Marlett, director of strategic marketing for Paradies Lagardère , “but the reality is that families travel everywhere, and we want them to feel welcome at our restaurants no matter which airport they’re passing through. We offer our Little Pilot’s kids’ menus at most of our full service restaurants, where our brand partners allow for it, so families have options wherever their travels take them.” When developing child-friendly fare, “we start with the classics: grilled cheese, smallersized burgers, and grilled or crispy chicken tenders,” says Marlett. “From there, we make sure there are healthier options too, like fresh fruit as an alternative side instead of just fries. Parents appreciate having those choices, and it’s important to us that kids’ menus feel thoughtful rather than an afterthought,” he adds.

it’s based on our most popular products over the last 15 years, a simple play space configurator. Airports just request a login from us and they can jump on and configure their own play space instantaneously.” And while the team at Play9 leans on its digital capabilities for instant updates, they make sure to keep design-forward physical elements a part of their updating process, adds Michaelides. “We are a design-led business – we’re constantly inventing and creating,” she says of their “Willy Wonka”- esque workshop and creative team. “They’re constantly innovating, which means clients can either then add products to their space over the year, or the next space they [develop will have] new products to choose from. But we’re never stagnant, and we always listen to the market.” Beyond Play Beyond formalized play spaces, many airports have also implemented other interactive features for young travelers. At MIA, Miami public school students contributed World Cup-related artwork to an airport gallery. At MCO, young

Below: San Diego International Airport is adding a playspace when it revamps Terminal 1. The goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable experience that makes traveling with children easier.

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AX NEWS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026