Every aspect of an airport’s structure and layout is strategically designed to help travellers feel at ease, get to their gates on time and can start their journey safely, and hopefully check out some shops, cafés and restaurants along the way.
Here are six ways that airports in general, and Helsinki Airport in particular, use to help you move efficiently from one place to another.
1. Signs
What do fonts, spacing, colour and design all have in common? At airports, all these aspects contribute to making your travel experience as hassle-free as possible.
2. Queuing system
Due to Helsinki Airport's compact size and efficient layout, queuing is not a huge issue in general. A passenger can expect to fall in line at the usual spots: the bag drop, security check, passport control and the boarding gate. What type of queuing system is used at the airport and when are these lines the busiest?
A Finavia expert shares his views on organising crowds while keeping waiting times short.
3. Security check
Clearing security control is the last step before entering the departures area. Strict security screening rules can sometimes make passengers nervous, but having fast-moving queues helps to keep the atmosphere relaxed. At Helsinki Airport, the average queuing time in security is typically only six minutes.
Read more on what to remember during security check to give your trip a stress-free start.
4. Shops
Also at airports, shops are strategically placed where airport footfall is highest. Duty-free shops are found right after security check and often have a serpentine walk-through layout to make the journey to gate as pleasant as possible.
At Helsinki Airport, retail outlets for international luxury brands such as Bvlgari, Jimmy Choo, Chloe, Coach and Longchamp are set to begin operations in 2020–2021. The coming years will also see the opening of new cafés and restaurants, from a tearoom and an open champagne bar to a place that serves fresh smoothies and juices.
How does the procurement process enhance the customer experience at Helsinki Airport?
5. Gamification
When designing an airport, the space use needs to be viewed from multiple perspectives. Gamification, in which elements from video game design are applied to non-game activities, has been used in the design of Helsinki Airport’s expansion project. But why gaming technology?
Read more about the benefits of this virtual model.
Read more about virtual safaris and the design of new passenger premises at Helsinki Airport.
