Wellness Takes Flight With Healthy Initiatives At Airports

With wellness tourism on the rise, hotels are not the only category leveraging demand. In response to health conscious consumers looking for ways to integrate wellbeing into their travels, airports are also adapting.

Currently a relatively untapped territory, for businesses looking to capitalise on the growing interest in healthier travel, airports offer a wide range of opportunities. A number of brands have taken to utilising these spaces in innovative ways.

These initiatives are currently taking flight:

The Lorna Jane Active Living Room | Sydney Airport, Australia

Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane is aiming to bring its Move Nourish Believe mantra to the masses, with the opening of a branded Active Living Room at Sydney’s T2 Domestic terminal.

The newly launched space, which was created in direct response to the customer feedback, offers yoga and strength sessions ($12 per class), dedicated stretching areas and a clothing store.

Speaking about the collaboration, Sydney Airport General Manager, Retail, Glyn Williams said: “The new space affords our passengers an opportunity to experience a greater sense of wellbeing within the airport environment.”

“Concepts like the Lorna Jane Active Living Room directly address the growing needs of the modern traveler for an increase in healthy food options, enhancing value and choice,” he adds.

Shona Vertue Floga | Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom

London-based yogi, Shona Vertue has teamed up with Gatwick airport to create a 20 minute yoga routine designed to help passengers prepare for long flights. A dedicated space, located in the South Terminal, currently plays the video on loop and free yoga mats are provided – all in an effort to help travellers de-stress, improve circulation and aid digestion.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Gatwick’s Head of Terminals and Passenger Services Nikki Barton said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a ‘Floga’ lounge here at Gatwick. It’s important to us that passengers have the best airport experience possible and this will be a great way to help individuals de-stress and unwind before a flight.”

G Force Club | Dubai Airport, UAE

In addition to a gym, priced at $13 per hour, the G-Force Health Club in Dubai’s International Airport offers passengers private shower rooms with towels, toiletries, and hair dryers, steam rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, massage rooms and a pool.

Open 24 hours a day, the space is popular with consumers looking to workout or freshen up, while waiting for connecting flights. Catering to the specific needs of passengers frequenting Dubai Airport, the G Force Club highlights the potential wellness brands have to capitalise on the niche demands of the wellness traveller.

Exercise bikes that double as device chargers | Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

Passengers can now get a workout and recharge their phones at the same time at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

We-Bikes, found throughout the airport, enable travellers to pedal at a cycling desk in order to generate enough power to charge their electrical devices. And according to founding brand WeWatt, they help to fight the sitting disease by encouraging people to exercise while travelling.

The bikes, which are made by hand, cost approx $13,000 each to buy.

Farmers Market | Los Angeles International Airport, USA

In true Los Angeles style, travellers from across the globe can now purchase meals, snacks and coffee from original market restaurants and stalls inside Terminal 5 at LAX.

Serving both departing and arriving travellers, the market offers an alternative to the array of fast food outlets scattered around the airport. Instead, stalls featuring fresh fruit or local and organic produce cater to travellers who are looking for healthier choices.

Bringing lots of local wellness brands together, the market is a clear indicator of how businesses can respond to changes in consumer attitude when it comes to the relationship between diet and travelling.