Airport Spas Add a Touch of Hush to the Travel Rush
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APEX Insight: As airports improve the passenger experience and travelers get used to spending more time – and money – in terminals, the demand for airport spas is growing.
There’s no denying that airports can be hectic places. To take the edge off, many travelers seek out airport bars, while others shop, work, nap or watch planes take off and land.
As airports improve the passenger experience and travelers get used to spending more time – and money – in the terminals, spas fit right in as “truly relaxing environments among the hustle and bustle where people can really feel transported – before or after a trip,” says Marko Iglendza, founder and CEO of Terminal Getaway Spa.
Demand for airport spas is growing, and airlines are cuing in. Etihad, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic are among the airlines that offer spa services, many of which are complimentary, in key lounges for their business- and first-class passengers.
Those who aren’t privy to premium perks can indulge in layover pampering at airport spas that are open to travelers of all cabin classes. Terminal Getaway Spa has five locations at Chicago O’Hare, Charlotte Douglas and Orlando international airports and is set to add four more locations at Seattle-Tacoma and Tampa international airports this year. XpresSpa, which opened its first airport location in 2004, now has more than 50 branches in over 20 airports worldwide offering a full menu of nail care and massage services, plus plenty of take-away stress relievers such as cucumber eye pads and gel masks. Foot massages are the most requested spa treatment at XpresSpa, according to its website, while chair massages top the list at Terminal Getaway Spa.
In addition to one-off spas, such as Enroute Spa in Indianapolis International Airport (which has teeth whitening on the menu), travelers will find Be Relax spas at 15 airports worldwide. Massage and nail care are on most Be Relax menus, but some branches also offer oxygen therapy, hair care, juice bars, steam rooms and showers.
Travelers aren’t the only ones who could use a little R&R while in transit. Delta Air Lines has several airport SkySpas exclusively for its employees, and some airport pet boarding locations even offer spa services for their overnight guests. At Now Boarding, near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, pets can enjoy full grooming packages and dental brushing – with breath spray!