When the Airport is the Destination
Travel broadens horizons—but weaving security lines and delays at baggage claim dull even the most memorable voyage. What if instead, these moments of waiting could become ones of anticipation?
At Delta’s Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport, a custom art, media and graphics program inspired by arrivals and departures captures the majesty of flight, sending travelers to and from New York.
In the departures hall, a bespoke digital mural displays patterns inspired by Delta’s destinations. As planes take off, the imagery shifts based on the departing flight’s destination, whether abstract tessellations of the palm trees of Palm Beach, or majestic representations of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
At baggage claim, images depicting the “real” New York—street corners, hot dog stands and taxis—change in response to passers-by, celebrating their departure out to the city beyond.
I was immediately blown away by the 34-panel digital art installation on the wall, which was created by ESI Design. The panels display different scenes, like waterfalls and mountains.
“Departing Impressions,” a bespoke, large-scale media canvas, provides a needed diversion as travelers weave through security stanchions.
Evocative animations representing the rush of takeoff are achieved through a combination of photographic imagery and software-driven effects. As Delta flights leave Terminal C, the entire screen flutters, simulating the rush of takeoff.
