What UX Designers Can Learn from Airport Design

Airports handle thousands of passengers daily, making user-friendly and efficient design crucial. UX designers can draw valuable lessons from how airports are organized.

Photo by Phil Mosley on Unsplash

Let’s explore these lessons and relate them to UX design:

Ease of Information

In airports, quick access to information is vital. Passengers need to find flight schedules, gate numbers, and baggage claim areas easily. Airports achieve this by prominently displaying clear and concise information.

• Large, Readable Fonts: Airports use large fonts on departure and arrival boards so travelers can read them from a distance. Similarly, websites and apps should use big, bold fonts for key information like headlines and instructions.
• Prime Locations: Airports place important signs in high-traffic areas where passengers are likely to look, such as near entrances, exits, and waiting areas. UX design should position crucial information where users naturally focus, like the top of a webpage or the first screen of an app.
• Up-to-date Information: Flight information at airports is constantly updated. In UX design, ensure real-time updates are provided, such as live chat support status, order tracking, or stock availability, to keep users informed.

Status of Process

Airports guide passengers through various stages: check-in, security, boarding. Each step is clearly marked so travelers know where they are and what’s next.

• Progress Bars: Just like airports show progress through check-in and boarding stages, websites and apps should use progress bars to indicate how far users have come in processes like account setup or checkout.
• Step Indicators: Airports have signs indicating areas like check-in, security, and boarding gates. Similarly, in a checkout process, clearly mark stages such as ‘Shipping Details,’ ‘Payment Information,’ and ‘Review Order.’
• Clear Instructions: Airports provide clear instructions at each step, such as where to place luggage or show documents. UX design should offer clear, concise instructions, for example, when uploading documents or completing forms.

Clear Icons and Signs

Airports rely on universally recognized icons and signs to help passengers navigate. These symbols are designed to be simple and understood by people from different cultures and languages.

• Universal Icons: Airports use icons like airplanes for gates, suitcases for baggage claim, and restrooms for facilities. Similarly, use well-known icons like a magnifying glass for search, a trash can for delete, or a shopping cart for purchases.
• Simple and Uncluttered Designs: Airport signs are straightforward to avoid confusion. UX design should keep icons simple and avoid clutter to ensure quick comprehension.
• User Testing: Airports test their signs with real users to ensure they are effective. Similarly, test icons and navigation elements with real users to confirm they are intuitive.

Error Prevention

Airports are designed to minimize errors. They implement checks and reminders to help passengers avoid mistakes, such as missing a flight or going to the wrong gate.

• Confirmation Prompts: Airports announce final boarding calls and remind passengers of gate changes. In UX design, use confirmation prompts before finalizing critical actions like payments or deletions.
• Highlight Required Fields: Airports clearly mark essential documents and procedures, such as passports and security checks. Similarly, highlight required fields in forms with asterisks (*) or different colors.
• Provide Examples and Hints: Airports offer clear guidelines for security checks and document preparation. UX design should provide examples or hints for complex tasks, like showing a sample strong password during account creation.

Airports are excellent examples of effective design, making information accessible, showing process status, using clear icons, and preventing errors. By adopting these principles, UX designers can create better, more user-friendly experiences. Whether designing a website or an app, think like an airport: clear, efficient, and user-focused.