7 Most Beautiful Airports In The United States
Airports serve as aircraft hubs and a gateway to different parts of the world for millions of passengers annually. From quick trips to vacations and even business travels, chances are you will be flying at some point. The United States houses some of the biggest and most beautiful airports, catering to thousands of passengers worldwide. While most of us associate airports with chaos, hustle, and boredom, they can also offer breathtaking vistas. Some airports go beyond expectations to provide a visually stunning experience while you wait to board your plane.
Denver International Airport
Spread over 33,531 acres, Denver International Airport is North America’s largest airport by land area and the second-largest airport in the world. This international airport mainly serves the Front Range Urban Corridor and the city of Denver in Colorado. From afar, the Teflon-coated fiberglass roof of Denver International Airport resembles the snow-capped peaks of the nearby Rocky Mountains. Because of the fabric, sunlight can be absorbed and released to give the impression of a white cloud above a big indoor-outdoor space. In addition, travelers passing through this international airport can enjoy an incredible art collection featuring a bronze statue of American astronaut Jack Swigert, four murals, an animated talking gargoyle, and a Blue Mustang.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the busiest airport in North America’s Pacific Northwest region that mainly serves Washington’s Seattle metropolitan area. This international airport is located in the city of SeaTac, about 23 km south of downtown Seattle and 29 km north-northeast of downtown Tacoma. The stunning natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest inspired Sea-Tac Airport’s new Concourse D addition, features an all-glass exterior and light color scheme. The building’s glue-laminated timber truss system and its outdoor aesthetic contribute to its unique appearance. Douglas firs were harvested locally to help reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is Montana’s busiest airport that is situated in the city of Belgrade, about 13 km northwest of Bozeman. The airport serves as the perfect introduction to nature for visitors to Yellowstone National Park and welcomes them with crackling fireplaces and snow-capped mountain peaks that are framed by sprawling windows. Designed with natural wood and stone, the terminal displays art works depicting the nature of Southwest Montana. The hallways of this airport, adorned by several wooden panels and animal sculptures, are one of the nation’s most eye-catching aesthetically and serve as a fantastic introduction to the outdoors.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Located across the Potomac River in Virginia’s Arlington County, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport serves the National Capital Region around Washington D.C. The Concourses B-D of the airport’s newest and biggest Terminal 2 was designed by the noted Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli. The design includes large windows that overlook the airport operations as well as the skyline of the National Capital. In addition, the building contains 54 Jeffersonian domes that signify a connection with the architecture of the region.
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
Also referred to as Eisenhower National Airport, the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is Kansas’s biggest and busiest airport. Spread over 3,248 acres, the airport is situated about 11 km west of downtown Wichita, the state’s largest city. The Eisenhower National Airport pays homage to the state’s aviation history by displaying historical artifacts throughout the terminal. The roof, ticketing, baggage claim, and concourse are all curved to resemble the inside of an aircraft. It also has an art installation made of cable and dichroic glass laminate that captures the emotions of flight, space, ascent, and descent.
Paine Field Airport
Also referred to as Snohomish County Airport, the Paine Field Airport, located about 40 km north of downtown Seattle is the second airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area after Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The terminal’s polished black granite floors, check-in stations made of Italian marble, a limestone-covered wall, and two fireplaces are all indicative of luxury. The two jet bridges are fashioned from glass imported from Germany, making the boarding process less confining and more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport
This public airport is situated in central Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County, approximately 50 miles southeast of the city of Orlando. Spread over 2,420 acres, the airport contains three asphalt runways. The airport’s terminal building houses the Airport Museum, displaying the history of the international airport and Melbourne’s Naval Air Station. A mesmerizing collection of artworks created by local artists have been installed in two areas of the airport’s terminal buildings.
