Aging Atlanta airport to get glass canopy, upgraded runway, redesigned terminals, luxury hotel.
Hartsfield-Jackson International is known for being the world’s busiest airport. One thing it is not known for is its aesthetic.
This week, at the inaugural State of The Airport event, the city revealed a 20 year plan over the course of which $6 billion dollars will be spent to give the 36 year-old airport a makeover to help it look like the big league player that it is, reports 11Alive.
Aviation General Manager Jeremy Southwell believes there are many benefits to a more pristine, light-filled airport: “We know a little bit more today than we did 40 years ago about the anxiety associated with traveling and the fact that as you let more light into the building that anxiety is somewhat relieved and that goes directly to our revenues.”
ATLNext created a video which shows off the design of a large arched glass canopy, one planned exterior renovation for the airport. Another is a set of new parking decks.
The decor inside the domestic terminal and concourses will be remodeled to be more similar to the new international terminal. Additionally, the runway will be upgraded and a new luxury hotel will be built.
Renovations are expected to begin within the next 60 days.
What do you think of the upgrades? Tell us below…
My greatest concern is the lack of cleanliness and sanitation in the restaurants, restrooms, seating areas and parking lots. The restaurants are not always clean, i.e., tables, floors and back line. The employees do not always use good hand washing techniques. Their uniforms look dirty.
The people responsible for cleaning and maintaining the restrooms and seating areas are simply lazy. I heard one maintenance worker training a new worker, “Slow down. We’ve got to make this work last another four hours. Don’t do too much.” I mostly see workers having casual conversations with other workers.
Three more points:
Security- They are not there to strike fear in the minds of the traveling public. There are there to provide security. “Some” are very professional but some are very rude.
Taking my shoes off. Can you imagine the germs and bacteria on those floors. People who stepped all kinds of stuff walked on that floor. Keep it cleaner and provide foot covers like they do in the Denver International Airport.
The infamous grey security containers. When was the last time those containers were washed? Obviously our TSA agents are concerned about their safety because they all wear gloves!
I forgot to mention the famous baggage handlers. The traveling public do not trust the integrity of the baggage handlers. If you lucky your bag only gets torn, ripped and generally looks as if its been dragged from DTW to ATL. It insulting to be told the damage perpetrated by baggage handlers is “normal wear and tear.” I’ve noticed while seated on the plane looking at the handlers load luggage how our luggage is thrown on rusty metal carts, then thrown inside the plane. Then there is the probability, not possibility that your luggage will be stolen, late or lost. Let’s assume your luggage is not lost or contents stolen.Why does it take thirty minutes to get your luggage. Heck, it only took sixty minutes to fly there!
Now we wonder why everyone wants to carry on their luggage. Dah!