A truly complete and thorough airport guide aims to eliminate traveler stress by providing clear, accessible, and comprehensive information for every step of the journey.
Here is a detailed list of items and services, categorized for clarity, that an exceptional airport guide should include.
Section 1: Core Airport Information & Pre-Travel
This section covers the essential data a traveler needs before they even leave for the airport.
- General Information:
- Full Airport Name and IATA/ICAO Codes (e.g., John F. Kennedy International Airport, JFK/KJFK).
- Full Physical Address for GPS.
- Airport Website and Official Social Media Handles.
- Main Contact Number and Email for General Inquiries.
- Operating Hours (for the airport and for key services).
- Time Zone and Current Local Time.
- Airlines & Terminals:
- A complete list of all airlines operating at the airport.
- A clear breakdown of which airlines operate from which terminals and gates.
- Information on airline alliances and code-sharing partners relevant to the airport.
- Airport Maps:
- Downloadable (PDF) and interactive digital maps.
- Overall airport layout map (showing terminals, parking, and roadways).
- Individual, detailed maps for each terminal, clearly delineating:
- Landside (Pre-Security): Check-in desks, baggage claim, ticketing, arrivals hall.
- Airside (Post-Security): Gates, lounges, shops, restaurants.
Section 2: Getting to & from the Airport
This section details every possible mode of transportation.
- Parking:
- Types of Parking: Short-Term, Long-Term, Economy, Valet, Cell Phone Lot.
- Locations and directions to each parking area.
- Real-time parking availability status.
- Rate structures ($ per hour, $ per day) and payment methods.
- Information on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
- Shuttle bus frequency and routes from parking lots to terminals.
- Public Transportation:
- Trains/Subway: Station locations, line names, schedules, fares, and connection information.
- Buses: Routes, stop locations, schedules, and fares.
- Taxis, Ride-Sharing & Shuttles:
- Designated pickup and drop-off locations for taxis, Uber, Lyft, etc.
- List of authorized taxi and shuttle companies.
- Typical fare estimates to key city locations.
- Rental Cars:
- List of on-site and off-site rental car agencies.
- Location of rental counters and vehicle pickup/return areas.
- Shuttle information for off-site agencies.
- Private Vehicles & Drop-off:
- Clear instructions for passenger drop-off (Departures) and pickup (Arrivals) zones.
- Rules regarding waiting times.
Section 3: Airport Procedures & Navigation
This is the step-by-step guide to moving through the airport.
- Check-in & Departures:
- Location of airline check-in counters and self-service kiosks by terminal.
- Baggage services: skycap locations, baggage wrapping, storage/lockers, and oversized baggage drop-off.
- Security Screening:
- Location of all security checkpoints in each terminal.
- Hours of operation for each checkpoint.
- Real-time or estimated security wait times.
- Information on priority lanes (e.g., TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, Global Entry, premium class lines).
- A clear, concise summary or link to current security regulations (e.g., liquids rule, electronics).
- Customs & Immigration (For International Arrivals):
- Step-by-step guide to the arrivals process.
- Location of Global Entry kiosks.
- Information on required documentation.
- Connecting Flights (Transfers):
- Procedures for domestic-to-domestic, domestic-to-international, and international-to-international transfers.
- Inter-terminal transportation: location, frequency, and type (e.g., AirTrain, shuttle bus, walkway).
- Information on whether re-checking baggage or clearing security is necessary.
Section 4: Airside Services & Amenities (Post-Security)
This section covers everything a traveler can do while waiting for their flight.
- Food & Beverage:
- A searchable directory of all restaurants, cafes, bars, and fast-food outlets.
- Details for each: location (terminal and gate area), hours, cuisine type, and price range.
- Indication of options for dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free).
- Shopping & Retail:
- A complete directory of all shops.
- Categories: Duty-Free, newsstands, electronics, fashion, souvenirs, etc.
- Location and operating hours for each store.
- Airline & Member Lounges:
- A comprehensive list of all lounges (e.g., American Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, Amex Centurion).
- Location, hours, and access requirements (e.g., First/Business class, specific credit cards, Priority Pass, paid entry).
- List of amenities available in each lounge (e.g., Wi-Fi, showers, food, bar).
- Essential Facilities:
- Restrooms: Clearly marked on all maps.
- Water Fountains / Bottle Refill Stations.
- Charging Stations: Locations of free power outlets and USB ports.
- Wi-Fi: Instructions for connecting, network name (SSID), and whether it’s free or paid.
- ATMs & Currency Exchange: Locations and services offered.
Section 5: Special Services & Accessibility
A truly thorough guide must cater to all travelers’ needs.
- Accessibility (ADA Compliance):
- Information on requesting wheelchair assistance.
- Locations of elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
- Details on accessible parking and transportation.
- Services for visually and hearing-impaired travelers (e.g., TTY phones, visual paging).
- Family & Children’s Services:
- Locations of family restrooms and changing tables.
- Nursing rooms or pods for mothers.
- Children’s play areas.
- Health & Wellness:
- First Aid / Medical station locations.
- Pharmacy locations.
- Quiet rooms, chapels, meditation, or prayer rooms.
- Designated smoking areas (if any).
- Traveling with Pets:
- Locations of pet relief areas (both landside and airside).
- Airport policies on pets in the terminal.
- Business & Work:
- Business centers with printing/copying services.
- Workstations or quiet work areas.
- Lost & Found:
- Contact information and location for both the airport’s Lost & Found and the individual airline baggage offices.
Section 6: Digital Features & Real-Time Information
For a modern app or website, these features are crucial for a superior user experience.
Multi-Language Support: The guide should be available in several major languages.
Real-Time Flight Tracking: Searchable by flight number or route, providing status (on-time, delayed, canceled), gate number, and baggage carousel information.
Push Notifications: Alerts for flight status changes, gate changes, and boarding announcements.
Interactive Wayfinding: Turn-by-turn navigation within the airport (“blue dot” indoor GPS).
Searchable Directory: An easy way to search for any shop, restaurant, or service.
Mobile Ordering: The ability to order food from airport restaurants for pickup.
