Design for Aviation

Part of the Gensler Monograph series, Design for Aviation is focused on the latest generation of airports. As gateways to their cities and regions, they serve a broad constituency, including airlines and retail vendors. Yet the quality of each passenger’s experience is the best indicator of success. When airports measure up, they reap the benefit of increased traffic and revenues. This new book shows how Gensler has redefined the quality of the passenger experience in airports around the globe. Timely examples such as JetBlue Terminal 5 at JFK International Terminal in New York and Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport illustrate the best of recent airports that are a pleasure to experience. New terminal designs for metropolitan areas such as Chennai, India, and Incheon, Republic of Korea, reflect the demand for improved regional infrastructure in fast-growing parts of the world.


Every airport is a gateway, a vital link to the larger world. For travelers, an airport sets expectations for the visit or the journey. This is why Gensler believes that the quality of the passenger experience is the real measure of an airport’s success. Immersed in the ethos and amenities of the city, travelers enjoy the airport as never before. At every step, they are supported by design, technology, and logistics. The speed, ease, and enjoyment of their experience translate to higher revenues and greater brand value. These airports are real places, designed to reflect the uniqueness of their communities. They inspire pride and affection, even as they serve as vital infrastructure, engines of their economies.