Airport’s new concourse has ‘wow’ factor, modern amenities
Higher ceilings, larger boarding areas, more modern technology and wider corridors give the new concourse a much different look from the rest of the more than 50-year-old airport facility. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
“The sense of space is dramatically different — it’s almost double the space,” Glen Thomas, director of strategic marketing and communications and public information officer for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, said, adding that the corridors expanded from 54 feet wide to more than 100 feet wide in some areas. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Although an opening date has not been set, officials expect the $245 million concourse project to be completed early next year. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
For tech-savvy travelers, the concourse has both cordless charging and plug-ins at every seat at every gate as well as desks with charging stations. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
There are significantly more windows, allowing for much more natural light to enter. To ensure it’s never too bright in the concourse, smart glass was installed that automatically adjusts its tint based on how bright the sunlight is. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The concourse includes a restaurant concept from Memphis Made Brewing Co. (Brad Vest/ Special to The Daily Memphian)
“As the gateway to our city, this modernization will help us to recruit businesses as site selectors or prospects fly into Memphis,” Beverly Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, said. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
“You have more space, more natural light, more room to move, tons more amenities and, despite the fact that we’re consolidating to one concourse, we can handle more capacity with these 23 gates,” said Glen Thomas, director of strategic marketing and communications and public information officer for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The St. Jude Lounge will be staffed by St. Jude for those families traveling with patients of the children’s hospital. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Once the new concourse opens, all airline operations will be consolidated into one terminal, and A and C will permanently close. The stem and southeast leg of the B Concourse will house all airline, retail and restaurant operations. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Airport officials had hoped the concourse project would be completed by the end of this year but supply chain issues have caused delays, said Glen Thomas, director of strategic marketing and communications and public information officer for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Lauren Kennedy, executive director of the UrbanArt Commission and an avid traveler, said that one thing that makes airports remarkable to her is the art in those spaces, particularly city-specific art. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
When the concourse opens, there will be eight retail shops and four restaurants with six more restaurant designs in the works that should open by the end of 2022. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The concourse includes a Memphis Grizzlies-themed bar and restaurant. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The airport authority worked with the UrbanArt Commission to develop an all-new art program that includes 61 different artworks representing 62 artists, all of whom are from or connected to Memphis. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
While the renovated concourse is very close to being completed, most of the remaining work is below the terminal where the airline operations facilities are housed. Aside from gate agents at the jet bridges, most of the operations personnel for the airlines work on the ground floor. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Memphis International Airport is nearing completion of its remodel of Terminal B, which will house all airline activity, retail shops and restaurants.
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Memphis International Airport Terminal BChristin Yates
Christin Yates is a native Memphian who has worked in PR and copywriting since 2007. She earned her B.S. in public relations and M.S. in mass communications from Murray State University.
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