I had such an amazing time uncovering the beauty and the charm of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. For a nearly 5-hour layover, I couldn’t find anything else doing but to explore and enjoy the sights and sounds of this beauty. This was a pre-cursor to Connect Live 2019 as I was en route from Lagos, Nigeria to San Francisco with a connecting flight through Amsterdam.
The airport proved to be equipped with state-of-the-art passenger and travel facilities: relaxation spots with charging outposts with both USB and regular charging ports.
THE LG BUMP-IN
It’s never difficult to identify a Local Guide when you see one. They are hungry for knowledge, curious and eager to take pictures. I quickly spotted @lajnhart from the Czech Republic as she made attempts at taking pictures of specific aesthetic installations around where I was, but I wasn’t so sure. It could be a random person, I said but I had my reservations. Minutes later, she came by and called my name and then it was clear I had spotted a Local Guide.
We had an extensive conversation as we were waiting for the same flight to San Francisco on our different economies, weather, culture, lifestyle, people and currency. It was a pleasure. Prior to meeting her, I had seen @EmekaUlor who came in shortly as soon as I arrived at the flight departure gate. He’s also an explorer and I was certain he couldn’t have resisted the accessibility features of the Amsterdam Airport as he made way to embark on a photo spree.
We were all bound for the same destination on the same flight, but there was one exception whom we didn’t see early enough as he was already checked in to the aircraft - @RiccyB. We eventually met at San Francisco Airport.
THE FOOD
Grocery stores, wine shops, and restaurants dotted several parts of the terminal, lying at both sides of the walkways. The enticing bright lights and sights of the French fries, barbecue, pizzas, and all kinds of intercontinental dishes add to the glitz of the airport itself.
THE BUZZ
There were touchpoints for fun: including VR machines, games, massage seats, as well as essentials: cream & perfume shops, fashion stores, and lifestyle shops.
SUSTAINABILITY
I found it very interesting to see recycling points at strategic locations within the airport with separate bins for cans, paper, and plastic.
ACCESSIBILITY
This was most conspicuous. I found it particularly interesting that attention was given to this especially: all restrooms were wheelchair accessible, wheelchair seating included at all passenger waiting points and most restaurants. Additionally, there were wheelchair-accessible entry points, movers and mobile carriers in all terminals specially designed to convey physically-challenged persons from points A to B within the terminals.
TEMPERATURE
The weather was very temperate with a low of 9 degrees Celcius with accompanying rains as seen outside of the terminal.
THE VERDICT
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has evolved to become one of the most technology-driven transport facilities around the world, accommodating major connecting flights to most world travel destinations.
Passenger comfort and ease of access are top-notch. All restrooms are equipped with modern sensing technologies without the need to press anything to dispense.
It’s truly a pathway that defines how the Dutch country has developed and strikes as a charm in the world’s eyes. It was a good time uncovering the characteristics of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Photo Album here: Uncovering Amsterdam Schiphol Photo Album