Thanks to weather woes, technical glitches and government-mandated schedule reductions that caused significant delays and cancellations, a lot of travelers spent more time than planned hanging around U.S. airports this year.
However, in many of those airports, travelers were also able to check out brand-new terminals and a bevy of cool events and new amenities.
Here are a handful of the best we spotted around the country in 2025.
Eye-catching canopies at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/FACEBOOK
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) kicked off an 18-month celebration of its founding on New Year’s Eve by turning the LED lighting on its massive 900-foot-long North and South canopies into countdown clocks for the new year. At the stroke of midnight, they light up to say “ATL 100.”
Created to provide passengers shelter from the elements, the canopies are an iconic design element of the airport and, like the iconic Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) pylons, they glow with different lighting schemes throughout the year. They are impressive when viewed from the air and adjacent roadways.
ATL’s current canopy illumination policy has 24 approved lighting schemes that mark everything from Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day to Independence Day and Christmas. This year, whenever the canopies are not lit for a special day, the default design has been “ATL 100.”
Elvis appearances at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
HARRY REID INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/FACEBOOK
When he was alive, Elvis Presley spent a lot of time in Las Vegas, thanks to a seven-year residency from 1969 to 1976 at what was then the International Hotel. He died Aug. 16, 1977, but “the king of rock ‘n’ roll” still has a strong Las Vegas presence.
On Jan. 8, 2025, on what would have been Elvis’ 90th birthday, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) marked the occasion with a celebration that featured an Elvis impersonator and free cookies in some of Elvis’ favorite flavors, including peanut butter, banana and bacon.
And, as has been a tradition since 2018, the Clark County Clerk’s Office once again set up a pop-up marriage license bureau in LAS’ T1 baggage claim area this year to give a head start to travelers heading to Las Vegas to get married around Valentine’s Day.
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Dinosaur sightings at Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
INDIANPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A handful of airports around the country, including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), have giant dinosaur fossil replicas in their terminals.
From March through May 2025, Indianapolis International Airport (IND) also joined the list.
To impress travelers and help The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis celebrate its 100th birthday, IND welcomed a 33-foot-long fossil cast of the museum’s famed Tyrannosaurus rex, dubbed “Bucky the T. rex,” into the presecurity gathering space known as Civic Plaza.
The real Bucky the T. rex is named in honor of Bucky Derflinger, the rodeo cowboy and rancher who discovered the fossil in 1998.
A speakeasy — and a rap video — for Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
Travelers and locals alike love hanging out in the presecurity main hall at Portland International Airport (PDX). Opened in 2024, the space features live trees and plants, skylights, a soaring 9-acre wooden roof (the subject of a rap video created for the airport this year), public lounge areas, selfie-friendly swatches of the famed PDX carpet design and outposts of local shops, dining venues and bars.
This year, the presecurity area at PDX got a cool, new feature: the country’s first airport speakeasy. And, best of all, the venue is open to everyone; no airline or credit card status or airline ticket is needed.
Named after the Roman goddess of dawn, the 49-seat Aurora speakeasy has a bright art deco-inspired interior and windows offering views of the airfield. Plus, it’s part of Loyal Legion, the presecurity beer hall on the airport’s mezzanine level.
Ask the bartender for the password, and look for the words “Curiosity opens the door” next to the otherwise unmarked entrance.
The speakeasy is currently open Monday to Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays between 2 and 8 p.m.
April Fools’ Day celebrations at airports across the country
Several airports around the country did their part to celebrate April Fools’ Day this year. Here are a few of our favorites from 2025.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is home to Minnesota’s tallest escalator. So, as a nod to that fun fact, on April Fools’ Day, the airport announced the installation of the world’s shortest escalator, which was described as 3 inches shorter than the current record holder in Tokyo.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska
Alaska’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) announced its newest passenger-inclusive amenity on April Fools’ Day. The airport said that as part of its new “Passenger Runway Shoveling Program,” passengers would receive snow shovels to assist with clearing runways whenever it snowed at ANC.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
And, building on the success of its therapy dog program, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) decided to go much bigger this April Fools’ Day by adding a therapy giraffe to the team.
Expansion of ticket-free entry options at airports throughout the US
Concourse C at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). STUART WESTMORLAND/GETTY IMAGES
Why should ticketed passengers get all the fun?
A growing number of airports across the U.S. offer day or gate pass programs that allow nonticketed visitors to pass through the security checkpoint to shop, dine, view art exhibits, listen to live music, watch planes come and go, and spend more time with loved ones.
In 2024, we counted 14 U.S. airports offering this option, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Nashville International Airport (BNA).
ABQ FlySide Pass. ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL SUNPORT
As 2025 draws to a close, we’re happy to report that the list has grown to 17 airports with the return of Tampa International Airport (TPA)’s TPA All Access Pass, the expansion of San Diego International Airport (SAN)’s SAN Pass to include the new Terminal 1, and the November rollout of the ABQ FlySide Pass at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ).
A new, swanky terminal with an outdoor patio — and cool sinks — at San Diego International Aiport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)’s new Terminal 1. SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER/FACEBOOK
In September, San Diego International Airport (SAN) opened its brand-new and much-needed $2.8 billion Terminal 1 right next to the old Terminal 1 building.
Constructed by the Gensler architecture firm and contractor Turner-Flatiron, the building has a central security checkpoint, line of sight from the entrance door to the airfield and impressive artwork outside, inside and on the building itself.
We appreciate Terminal 1’s dining hall, which has a 350-seat outdoor terrace offering views of San Diego Bay and downtown. But we really love the new terminal’s bathroom (most notably, the sinks). Each restroom sink has three fixtures: one is for soap, one is for water and one is a personal hand dryer. Gone are the days of walking around with wet hands looking for the paper towel dispenser or the wall-mounted hand dryer.
The debut of a new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Calder sculpture at Pittsburgh International Airport. HARRIET BASKAS/FOR THE POINTS GUY
On Nov. 18, just in time for the holiday travel season, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) opened its new landside terminal.
Part of the airport’s $1.7 billion Terminal Modernization Program, the new terminal features a streamlined baggage system, a skybridge to replace the train journey between the landside and airside terminals, 4,000 twinkly LED lights in the soaring ceiling, 12 expanded and updated security lanes, four landscaped outdoor decks (not open just yet) and lots of fresh art throughout the facility, most of it created by local artists.
The star of PIT’s art collection is the 28-foot-long and equally wide kinetic mobile titled “Pittsburgh” by famed artist Alexander Calder.
The sculpture has been part of the airport’s art collection since 1959, but over the years, it has been repainted once or twice and put in spaces where it was difficult to see or appreciate.
In the new landside terminal, the mobile hangs from the 80-foot-high ceiling in the large, open presecurity atrium. Departing passengers and the public can now see the sculpture from eye level or above on the presecurity departure level of the new terminal. On the arrivals level, one floor below, people can look up at the sculpture and walk beneath it.
Birthday celebrations galore at airports around the country
Denver International Airport (DEN) in the distance. BRAD MCGINLEY PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES
ATL wasn’t the only airport to mark a milestone this year.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
On Feb. 28, Denver International Airport (DEN) celebrated the 1995 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the current facility, which came “after seven years of construction and one failed baggage system,” according to a DEN timeline.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
As part of its 75th birthday celebration, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) introduced a Legacy Gallery in the A/B Food Court filled with photos of the airport’s history.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) celebrated its 90th anniversary this year, too. Its celebration included a photographic historical timeline, a dance party, a museum exhibition titled “From Farm To Airfield” in Terminal 4 and online, and a 90th anniversary collectible trading card.
The arrival of Rocky Balboa at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
DAVE ROSENBLUM/PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
In addition to hosting another tasty Cheesesteak Week in March, on Nov. 21, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) unveiled a Rocky Balboa statue in Terminal A-West between gates A-15 and A-16.
Honoring Rocky Balboa, the Philadelphia-based character portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in a series of “Rocky” franchise films, PHL’s 10-foot-tall bronze statue is one of three created by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg. The two other statues are outside the Philadelphia Art Museum.
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