Airport Experience® News -Customer Service Issue 2026

Marlett says catering to families is strategic. “What we find is that many families assume there won’t be anything for their children and head straight to a quickservice restaurant without even considering us,” he says. “We want all of our guests to feel welcome when they sit down to dine with us, and that absolutely includes the little ones.” One thing that hasn’t changed? There are still plenty of places for young travelers (and their parents) to pick up site-specific souvenirs. Alejandro Rodriguez, CEO of Amerikiosks , an automated vending company responsible for a wide-variety of offerings including toy machines, says that providing child-specific retail concepts in airports not only generates revenue for airports, but “kids can play and can be distracted, so the parents can relax a little bit. It’s a win-win-win.” MCO offers “immersive, theme park inspired retail spaces representing Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, where guests are welcomed by iconic attractions and transported back into the magic,” says Starke. “Each store turns shopping into part of the adventure, letting kids relive their favorite moments and take a piece of that magic home through playful, memorable souvenirs.” They also provide

Above, Right: Tru Roots Airport Play Cafés aim to offer educational, Montessori-inspired wooden structure play spaces designed to keep kids engaged and parents sane on long travel days.

free souvenirs through their Memories Created in Orlando buttons handed out throughout the terminal with themes like “My First Flight”, “It’s My Birthday”, and an all-occasion “Let’s Celebrate”, she adds. Even traditionally stressful spaces like the TSA line get a family-friendly upgrade at places like MCO and YYC, which provide family screening lanes for a smoother trip through security. It’s touches like these that airports and concessionaires alike hope will make the travel day easier on all passengers. “At MSP play areas, we see excitement on the children’s faces, and smiles of relief from parents and adults when they have found a safe zone to be adventurous or get the wiggles out before a flight,” says Lea. “Elevating the passenger journey is part of our vision,” MCO’s Starke adds, “so as we create more child-friendly amenities to integrate into the airport environment, we believe passengers of all ages will appreciate these concepts.”

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AX NEWS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026