Can Airports Calm the Nerves?

AIR travel is likely to be even more miserable in 2008 than it was this year, with growing delays, fewer choices, higher fares, dirtier airplanes and grouchier flight crews.
Still, always look on the bright side of life, as the Monty Python song goes.
Airports see opportunity in the growing numbers of people cooling their heels there. All over the country, airports are remodeling terminals to improve restaurants and to apply new retailing ideas, including vending machines that dispense high-end items like Apple iPods.
Among other new airport offerings are wine shops with bars; pharmacies with medical clinics; luxury nail salonsfree battery-charging stations; and even stores similar to 7-Elevens for passengers to grab milk and groceries on their way home. All are signs that airports have been spending money on customer-service and capital improvements as domestic airlines have been cutting costs.
Even hotels near airports see opportunities in flight delays. A company called Flyte Systems sells hotels displays like those in airports, showing real-time flight and gate information. And a traveler whose flight is delayed might linger in a hotel restaurant.
Those developments are good news for passengers, who otherwise have little to celebrate about the new year in air travel. If you hated 2007, experts say, you’re going to loathe 2008.