With travellers demanding more from the travel experience at all stages of the journey, some airports are stepping up to the mark. Guest columnist Faith Norris investigates

Copenhagen airport has recently become the first in the world to use Google Glass to assist and help check-in passengers. The wearable computer went down a storm with staff working at the airport and especially the airport’s customer care director, Marie-Louise Lotz.

“We found Google Glass very easy to use and more user-friendly than other devices such as tablets,” she says.

Furthermore, staff had hands-free access to services like Google Translate as well as gate, baggage and flight information. So could the new Google Glass one day replace the much-loved iPad which by comparison is starting to look a bit clunky?

A recent report by metasearch player Skyscanner in the future of travel foretells that by 2024 airports will be uplifting, intelligent spaces providing passengers with a sense of wellbeing; and airlines will become cyber hubs where travellers can create havens to suit their business or leisure needs. 

With technology evolving so rapidly, let’s take a look at the most technology forward airports around the world today.

Changi Airport (SIN)

The interactive Social Tree in this Singapore airport allows travellers to socially share their photos on 64 giant 42-inch screens, stretching 360 degrees around a central podium. The screen projects passenger images from a height of nine metres for everyone to see. Passengers can store their photos and videos with a unique login, adding their memories to Changi Airport’s history with each visit; they can even log in decades later to revisit old memories. The airport’s website calls it ‘avant-garde design with interactive technology’.

New York JFK International (JFK)

This airport supplies travellers with work surfaces, free Wifi and electrical outlets. Some terminals have restaurants that allow you to order food from an iPad kiosk – making dining interactive and fun. There are also 180 iPads dotted around the airport, free for anyone to use to check email, surf the web or do the obligatory airport check-in to make fellow Facebook friends jealous.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

This Californian airport was the first to feature the ‘B4 You Board’ mobile service, an innovative app allowing travellers to order food and drinks to arrive at their boarding gate before they board. The ‘B4 You Board’ app is freely available from the Apple App Store and Google Play, meaning most smart phone users can get involved.

Some of the retailers involved in the app are Esquire Grill, Chilis and Burgers & Brew; an ideal way to induce food envy in fellow passengers. Since taking off at SMF airport, the app has now been rolled out at across five other US airports. The airport itself is also very technologically advanced, with fluorescent LED lighting, a heat-reflecting roof, energy-efficient glass and so much more.

Japan Airlines

Not technically an airport, but this airline deserved a mention after it took in-flight technology to a new level by offering travellers fun gadgets, Wifi and power outlets on board some routes. For those who want to splash the cash and travel in style, Japan Airlines provides passengers with noise cancelling headphones and portable air massagers. Gone are the days of squinting at a tiny video screen to watch the in-flight movie; first class passengers can now enjoy their in-flight entertainment on plush 23-inch screens.

McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Recently named by Facebook as one of America’s top ten social airports, LAS boasts live travel updates via its Twitter and Facebook channels. Google Maps can also be used inside the airport for easy navigation and free recharge zones are available throughout to keep your phone battery topped up. Various airlines that use this airport also offer self-boarding podiums and kiosks enabling passengers to print their own luggage tags and boarding passes.

Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has been voted by PC World Magazine as the world’s best airport for customer technology. The airport teamed up with Samsung to offer charging stations, mobile travel lounges, mobile kiosks, flat-screen televisions, video walls and more throughout each terminal. DFW boasts an average of 7.2 electrical outlets and 3.0 USB ports per gate ensuring all passengers are catered for when it comes to keeping connected.

EVA Airways

This airline supplies each seat with a USB charger that connects to a touch screen computer in the seat in front on you, meaning passengers can charge devices, display documents and view photos on their personal touch screen. There is also the ability to send and receive emails and text messages to stay connected to the world below while in the air.

With such interactive and futuristic technology already taking off in these airports, do we have even more cutting edge technology to look forward to?

Please share in the comments section if you have come across any other technology-forward airports.

Faith Norris is a travel writer for lowcostholidays who enjoys exploring different cultures and keeping up to date with how technology enhances travel. Next on her wish list is to leave her social mark in Singapore!