Age-Friendly Airports: Exploring the Experiences of Older Travelers

ABSTRACT

The number of older airline travelers is projected to grow as the population ages globally. However, studies suggest a lack of age-friendliness at airports across the world. This study explored the age-friendliness of airports through 16 qualitative interviews with older adults aged 55 and older who had recently traveled or planned to travel in a one-year time span. Using thematic analysis, study findings suggested that most participants felt that the airport did not promote an environment accommodating to the needs of older adults. Three themes related to the age-friendliness of airports included supporting mobility, airport security experiences, and the built environment. Study findings inform the continued examination and development of age-friendly airport initiatives to promote autonomy, dignity, and safety for all older airline travelers.

KEYWORDS:

• Age-friendly
• airport
• travel
• mobility
• transportation

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank UTA School of Social Work doctoral student, Swasati Handique, for her assistance editing the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

IRB number (#2020–0781)

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by funding from the Roy E. Dulak Professorship in Community Practice Research.