Passenger anxiety at the airport typically spikes to its highest peak at the security checkpoint. Long waits, customer service concerns, and the possibility of unanticipated delays create a stressful experience. The question on every passenger’s mind? “How bad is this going to be, and what’s the quickest way through it?”
Two airports have those answers. Orlando International Airport (MCO) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) demonstrate how to transform the checkpoint environment into a better, friendlier experience based on visual communications and solutions from Synect. With the launch of a massive video wall at MCO’s West Checkpoint and a video wall that launched at LGA’s Terminal B this summer, both airports are setting a new standard for the checkpoint experience. Welcoming. Helpful. Calm.
In both checkpoints, large direct-view LED walls display real-time information and custom-made videos. This rich visual communications content hits all the marks: reducing passenger anxiety, helping them navigate the checkpoint, decreasing perceived wait times, and introducing valuable communications capabilities into a dynamic environment. We’ve shared a lot about the new digital checkpoint at LGA’s Terminal B, so today we’ll explore the new digital signage at MCO’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints.
Annie the Astronaut, an adorable digital airport guide Synect created for MCO, dances, entertains, and engages passengers. She appears larger-than-life at the new checkpoint video wall to share dynamic estimated wait times from hundreds of yards away. This friendly visual and the helpful information offers a warm welcome to the checkpoint. Because known, finite waits feel shorter than unknown waits, this automatically updated information helps decrease perceived wait times overall.
The sheer size of the estimated wait times and other glance-and-go visuals help passengers navigate the space from afar. Gate information and lane IDs help with wayfinding. The lane ID data comes from the airport operations system, which means they update automatically when changes to the security lanes are made. This ensures the passengers are always presented with accurate information and reduces potential confusion. This integration also enable emergency messaging at the security checkpoint, should such a need arise.
The key to the new enhanced passenger experiences at both MCO and LGA is dynamic data presented in as helpful information, which has high visibility and engaging visual details. These digital environments turn data into information to empower passengers through the checkpoint and send them on their way.
The initial reaction from passengers has been enthusiastic. The new digital checkpoint has been described as “futuristic” and “helpful.” One viewer called Annie “amusing and awesome,” which is a frequent sentiment amongst MCO passengers.
The new video wall at the security checkpoint are part of the existing Synect visual communication ecosystem. This system has scaled from a massive 700-screen video wall at check in to the curbside, self-check-in/bump-outs, South Automated People Mover video wall, and wayfinding locations throughout the airport. It extends the airport brand and helpful content strategies across the passenger journey, giving MCO a powerful communications platform and delivering a memorable, pleasant airport experience.
Interested in other visual communications solutions for the airport security checkpoint? ReadySeeGo® is Synect’s portable digital signage solution that is being used by the TSA, MCO, Los Angeles International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Reagan National Airport, and other major travel facilities. Learn more at ReadySeeGo.com.