The Hidden Airport Rooms Most Passengers Never See

No matter where you’re flying, you mostly follow the same path at the airport, from the check-in desks in the departure hall to security screening checkpoints and the airside gates. But there’s far more to a large airport than its public parts. Take a look at five areas where public access is restricted and explore the hidden rooms of airports that most passengers never see.

Baggage Handling Spaces

After you check your bags at the counter, they follow a clearly determined path to the plane’s cargo hold via a series of automated conveyors and chutes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), more than 4 billion bags are checked annually, requiring a finely-tuned system to ensure each one makes its intended flight. Under Resolution 753, airlines are required to scan baggage tags so that they can be tracked throughout their journey at the airport. This is achieved using methods such as laser or image optical scanning of barcodes on the tag, manual recording, RFID scanning, optical character recognition, and Bluetooth.

Security measures are also employed, including Explosive Detection Systems (EDS), X-rays, and CT scans, to ensure that all bags are screened for prohibited items — anything suspicious is flagged for a manual search. Once bags pass through these steps, they are loaded into containers or onto open-sided carts to be delivered to the aircraft. At this point, you might see them again through the terminal window or as you board.

Air Traffic Control Centers

Air traffic controllers are the people responsible for safely managing aircraft departing or on approach to an airport, as well as movements on runways and taxiways. As passengers, we put our trust in these highly skilled individuals who are trained to prevent collisions and keep us safe. According to data published by the FAA, air traffic controllers manage 45,000 planes and an estimated 2.9 million passengers every single day in the U.S. alone. 

Operations specialist Flightworx describes the rooms inside air traffic control towers as “strategic nerve centers for the aviation industry.” Typically, these spaces are designed to maximize visibility and are circular in shape with large windows. They’re equipped with state-of-the-art computer systems, advanced weather modeling systems, and technology such as primary and secondary radar systems to track aircraft movements.

VIP Suites, Lounges, and Terminals

If you live your life under public scrutiny, perhaps the greatest luxury of all is privacy. Often, A-list celebrities and the super rich can opt for a more discreet route through a busy airport by taking advantage of a dedicated VIP terminal that is separate from the main airport, allowing them to reach their plane undisturbed.

For travelers to and from London, for instance, the Windsor by Heathrow offers well-heeled clients the option to check in at a more exclusive location. There, they’ll be fast-tracked through security and immigration procedures. Before their flight departs, they might enjoy chauffeur-driven transportation and relax in an elegant lounge with Michelin-quality food. The service costs a cool $5,000 for up to three guests, and similar experiences are available at airports including Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

Customs Interview Facilities

When flying internationally, if a traveler’s paperwork isn’t in order, they can be escorted from the regular immigration hall to a private office close by for further questioning. There, passengers can be interviewed to determine whether or not they have legal right to remain in the country. Officers may check to ascertain if they are likely to be in breach of visa conditions, such as having the intention to work when entering the country as a tourist. After their case is assessed, in some instances officials decide that entry will be denied. If this happens, such passengers will require a ticket for a plane out.

Staff Offices, Hangars, and Storage Facilities

It takes a great many people to staff and operate an airport, so it should come as no surprise that on-site break rooms and lounges reserved for crew are available throughout an airport. If flight crew members need to remain at the airport in between flights — for instance, if they are required for multiple short-haul legs within the same working day — they have a comfortable space in which to rest. 

In addition, there are numerous offices hidden from public view that are used by administrators, managers, and other personnel whose job it is to keep the airport functioning smoothly, manage finances, and ensure safety and operating protocols are adhered to. Maintenance staff — encompassing roles from janitors to aircraft engineers — also have dedicated workspaces, including storerooms for parts and other supplies as well as vast hangars. Lastly, specialist facilities are needed for airport operations such as on-site firefighting and animal welfare.