Get Ready To Take Off In Style

Airports are one of the most thrilling places to be, whether you’re off on your holidays or off on a business trip, no matter what time of the day, heading to the airport is full of excitement. The interior design in airports is changing, noting that décor plays a vital role in the experience of all airport-goers, there’s been a shift in creating an aesthetically pleasing environment for all who pass through. In this blog, we’re going to look at the evolution of airport design and how interior designers are creating an experience for airport-goers, rather than just a space.

Bon Voyage

From the arrival at the airport, passing through security, in the department lounge and past the boarding gates, airport interior plays an increasingly vital part in shaping the experience of those who encounter the facilities. On average airport-goers spent 130 minutes at the airport, from walking through the entrance to the moment the aircraft doors are closed. It has been said that 80% of the time spent in the airport, is a time that passengers take advantage and explore the facilities. 

A shift in consumer behaviour has sparked the change we’ve seen in airport design, instead of being a stopover, the airport is a place to start off your trip in style. Airports are no longer dark, dingy and dull but they’ve been crafted to be an inviting environment which is stress-free. Interior designers are creating exciting spaces which turn being at the airport from a procedure into an experience. Interior design has come a long way in the last twenty years, and retailers want to mirror the décor they have in their high street stores to the spaces they have in the airport to show brand awareness and reassure customers.

Swan Neck Cone Wall Light- 8 Inch – Brass & Brooklyn Glass Dome Pendant – 8 Inch, by Industville (Image supplied by @JamieOliver – Jamie’s Coffee, Gatwick Airport - @GatwickAirport)

Good Lighting Is Key

The right lighting has the ability to make airport-goers feel relaxed, which is an important aspect as many passengers feel anxious about flying, so creating a space that puts them at ease is important. Lighting is not only good at setting the mood, but the right lights can also help to increase sales. Lights can influence and accentuate the things customers see; whether this is them spending longer at a restaurant or taking longer to browse at a retail store, lighting has the aptitude for encouraging customers to spend more time at an establishment, which in turn could lead to them spending more money. Poor lighting has the opposite effect, with customers wanting to make a swift exit.

Brooklyn Glass Dome Pendant – 8 Inch, by Industville (Image supplied by @JamieOliver – Jamie’s Coffee, Gatwick Airport - @GatwickAirport)

Lights should be placed where they can accentuate the items that are wanting to be sold, such as above food counters or above the latest items of clothing or gadgets. It’s not difficult to be attracted to stores that are brightly lit as they have a warm glow around them, industrial lighting is the perfect way to create an atmosphere as they’re a statement in themselves and are ideal for adding a vintage feel to the modernisation of airports nowadays, while also illuminating the intended space.

Swan Neck Cone Wall Light- 8 Inch – Brass, & Brooklyn Glass Dome Pendant – 8 Inch, by Industville (Image supplied by @JamieOliver – Jamie’s Coffee, Gatwick Airport - @GatwickAirport)

Retro Enamel Pendant – 14 Inch – Light Grey, by Industville (Image Supplied by @Joeskitchen1 – Gatwick Airport)

Travelling In The Right Direction

Thousands of people pass through airport terminals every day, with hotels, retail stores, spas and restaurants amongst many things that are on offer, airports are starting to be seen as miniature cities. It is vital to create a space that is bright, cheerful and one you would most likely see featured in an iconic film scene.

Swan Neck Cone Wall Light- 8 Inch – Brass & Brooklyn Glass Dome Pendant – 8 Inch, by Industville (Image supplied by @JamieOliver – Jamie’s Coffee, Gatwick Airport - @GatwickAirport)

With the growth of online shopping, high street stores have been struggling in recent years; airports will not have this worry as they’ll always have a constant flow of customers coming through and these customers will have time to waste. Instead of focusing on commodity-based layouts, they’ve been focusing on basing plans on creating a positive experience.

Brooklyn Flat Pendant – 8 Inch – Brass, by Industville (Image Supplied by @aena – Airport Las Palmas, Gran Canaria)

Shopping or dining will always be about the customer experience, whether it’s on Oxford Street, Cabot Circus or at Gatwick. Travellers want to experience the authenticity of the cultures of the place they’re visiting, which doesn’t stop at airports. It’s important for interior designers to ensure they’re travelling in the right direction, providing culture and tech work in unison to create a space that Tom Hanks wouldn’t mind getting stranded in!

Brooklyn Flat Pendant – 8 Inch – Brass, by Industville (Image Supplied by @aena – Airport Las Palmas, Gan Canaria)

What do you look forward to when heading to the airport? Is it browsing through the duty-free at your leisure? Enjoying a guilt-free drink at any time of the day? We’ve supplied the lighting to a variety of big brands at a number of different airports all over the world. Have you spotted our lights? We’d love to see your pictures; you can tag us on Instagram - @industville – or by using the hashtag - #Industville. If you’re thinking of incorporating industrial lights in your home or business and need some help, don’t hesitate to contact our team, we’d love to hear from you!

Sleek Edison Pendant – 1 Wire – Copper & Retro Enamel Pendant – 14 Inch – Light Grey, by Industville (Image supplied by Caffe Nero in Edinburgh Airport)