The Hottest Amenity Coming to an Airport Is a Chill Zone

US terminals are adding outdoor spaces to give travelers a place to catch the breeze or enjoy views of farms on-site

- Bloomberg

Sterile hallways, basic options for food and shopping, no glimpse of the outside world: This is how we often think about airports. But as outdated facilities turn into swanky terminals, spending more time at the airport has grown tolerable, if not moderately pleasant. Upgraded concession programs have made for better meals—both sit-down and grab-and-go—while credit card companies have vastly improved the airport lounge game, and you can even get robot manicures from the types of airport "spas" that were once limited to 10-minute chair massages.

Now a new chapter of airport enhancement is kicking off. US airports coast to coast are lately adding all sorts of outdoor spaces for the general flying public to enjoy—regardless of airline status or seat assignment. They include post-security observation decks, open-air lounges and microbrewery-inspired drinking holes that let you relax a bit before boarding your next flight.