/ / / / /

Food Courts, Be Gone! Amsterdam-Schiphol Opens an Airport Picnic Park

Where: Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 11, 2011 at 3:53 PM | by | Comments (0)

We'll tell you something—if there's an airport out there experimenting with new technology or amenities, chances are it's either Singapore's Changi or Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. This time, in which we introduce what they're calling the "world's first" airport park, it's the latter. The new park, open to all passengers after security, caters to those who want to work, play, eat and chill at AMS in a space specifically designed to remove the stress of travel.

For those who want to chill or work, there's a variety of chairs and little corners for settling in away from the high foot traffic of the airport. Of course there are also plenty outlets and the one free hour of airport WiFi. If you're hungry, the park comes complete with a Park Cafe, serving fair trade coffee, burgers and other snacks.

If we've translated the Dutch news on this correctly, the bar-height seating overlooks the pre-security part of the terminal, so you can look down at all the poor schmucks rushing to make their flights. Or just grab your food and head outside to a landscaped terrace and make a picnic!

Gallery: Amsterdam Airport's New Park

For chilling and playing, especially if you've got kids in tow, this outside area is the most park-like place of the whole lounge area, although we wouldn't skip over a chance at posing for picture on the long, log-like benches at the entrance to the place.

All in all, this new park is an excellent addition to the airport. It totally gives flyers without elite status somewhere cool of their own to hang out and get work done, and we wouldn't mind skipping a business lounge for the chance to nap on one of the park's outdoor chaise lounges.

There's just one problem: we think Amsterdam Airport likes to throw out the "world's first" title a bit too often. We've already debunked their claim to have the first ever airport library, and we can think of several airports with outdoor areas large enough to call themselves parks (Punta Cana's al fresco parts even sport palm trees!).

Have you visited any other airports with park-like spaces? Let us know in the comments!

[Photo: Amsterdam-Schiphol]

Comments (0)

Post a Comment

Return to » Food Courts, Be Gone! Amsterdam-Schiphol Opens an Airport Picnic Park

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices