Why do airports not have places to lay down?

The Great Airport Sleep-Out: Why Can’t We Lie Down?

We’ve all been there. Stranded in the sterile expanse of an airport terminal, the departure board flashing an ominous delay. Surrounded by the symphony of rolling suitcases and chattering families, you scan the endless rows of identical chairs, a desperate yearning growing within you: to lie down. But try as you might, you’ll find the subtle, yet effective architecture of discomfort thwarting your every attempt. Why is it so difficult, bordering on impossible, to find a place to horizontally rest in an airport?

The short answer? It’s by design. Airports, despite being spaces of transition and often enforced waiting, are not designed for extended rest, especially of the horizontal variety. While seemingly counterintuitive, the lack of comfortable sleeping arrangements isn’t an oversight, but rather a deliberate strategy employed by airport management. The logic, while perhaps frustrating for weary travellers, is multifaceted.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, limiting comfortable sleeping options discourages vagrancy. Airports are public spaces, often connected to major transportation hubs, making them potentially attractive to those seeking shelter. By minimizing opportunities for comfortable long-term stays, airports aim to manage the flow of people through the terminal and maintain a focus on their primary function: facilitating travel.

Secondly, the uncomfortable seating arrangement maximizes commercial opportunities. Upright, alert passengers are more likely to browse the shops, grab a coffee, or indulge in a meal at one of the many airport eateries. A sleeping passenger, on the other hand, is a lost revenue opportunity. The subtle nudging of uncomfortable seating encourages movement and spending, contributing to the airport’s bottom line.

Thirdly, the high turnover of seating allows for a more efficient flow of passengers. While a sprawling traveller might occupy multiple seats for sleeping, an upright passenger occupies a predictable and manageable space. This allows the airport to accommodate a larger volume of travellers, especially during peak hours.

Finally, let’s not forget the issue of hygiene. While dedicated sleeping pods are becoming increasingly common in some airports (often for a fee), allowing unrestricted sleeping in general areas would create significant sanitation challenges.

So, the next time you find yourself trapped in the purgatory of a delayed flight, battling the rigid armrests and desperately seeking a horizontal escape, remember it’s not a design flaw. It’s a carefully calculated strategy to manage flow, maximize revenue, and encourage you to keep moving – and spending. While it might not be comfortable, it’s a testament to the complex and often counterintuitive economics of airport design. Perhaps the real question isn’t why we can’t lie down in airports, but why, given the circumstances, we expect to.