A cinema is the most desired airport facility, according to a global survey of more than 10,000 travellers.
Some of the more unlikely facilities to feature at a dream airport include a karaoke area, with five per cent of travellers wishing to kill time and a song
Worried that their travel plans may prevent them catching the latest blockbusters, a huge 49 per cent of flyers chose an on-site cinema as their dream airport wish, reveals global travel search site Skyscanner.
Designated sleeping areas allowing travellers the opportunity to catch up on a few hours’ sleep also fared well, with over a third of respondents voting for sleep pods at their dream airport, making it the second most popular facility.
Despite the rise of e-books, the traditional paperback is clearly still a popular choice, with 32 per cent of travellers wishing for an airport library, making it the third most wanted airport facility, and allowing holidaymakers to immerse themselves in a novel by the pool, then simply return it after landing back home.
A huge 31 per cent of flyers voted for a green outdoor area in their dream airport. A park was the fourth most popular airport facility, which would no doubt offer a welcome change of environment, especially for those waiting for connecting flights.
The fifth most popular facility in a dream airport, with one in three travellers wishing for it, is a vanity area offering salon and spa treatments, allowing holidaymakers to pamper themselves with last-minute massages, manicures and haircuts.
Some of the more unlikely facilities to feature at a dream airport include a gym, with 15 per cent of flyers longing for a last chance at toning their holiday body and a karaoke area, with five per cent of travellers wishing to kill time and a song.
While both men and women were in agreement over their top choice of an airport cinema, there was a greater gender discrepancy with the other most wanted features.
Despite the rise in metrosexual males, a massive 45 per cent of women wanted a vanity area to freshen up compared to just 14 per cent of men.
The guys appear to prefer active entertainment at their dream airport, with a swimming pool voted the fifth most wanted feature, and more than one in 10 guys wanting to tour the airport on complimentary bikes.
Yet flyers may not have to dream for too long. Hong Kong International Airport already boasts a UA IMAX theatre, while the sleeping pods facility has been introduced at Abu Dhabi Airport for a cost of €10 per hour, offering weary flyers an affordable alternative to a hotel room.
Skyscanner’s Victoria Bailie said: “While many of the larger airports are beginning to offer passengers a wider range of facilities, there is clearly a great demand for airport entertainment. By offering fun experiences at airports, such as the golf course at Hong Kong International Airport, or the swimming pool and jacuzzi at Changi Airport in Singapore, waiting for a flight becomes less of a chore and more part of the holiday itself.”
Top 10 most wanted features
Cinema – 49%
Sleep pod – 36%
Library – 32%
Park – 31%
Vanity area – 30%
Kids play area – 21%
Pool – 20%
Gym – 15%
Man-made beach – 12%
Bikes – 11%