Sit and enjoy the mountain view in a building with a cozy cabin feel, complete with free books and refreshments.
I’m describing an airport.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the most luxurious and unique facility I’ve ever flown through.
During my first trip to Wyoming in September, I flew in and out of JAC, a small airport located within Grand Teton National Park. It’s one of the most popular airports for private jets.
But I flew commercial in economy. Even without fancy lounges and a slew of restaurants, I had the most luxurious airport experience of my life at JAC.
Earlier this month, I flew into Jackson Hole Airport, the only US commercial airport within a national park.
On the plane, captivated by views of Grand Teton National Park below, I was stoked to land at JAC.
JAC has existed since the 1930s and has undergone several renovations by CLB Architects over the past decade.
According to the firm’s website, the National Parks Service limits the airport’s height to 18 feet, so the building is short and has an open floor plan.
Since it’s a small airport, we deplaned outdoors rather than through a boarding passage.
To exit the plane, we stepped out into the fresh air and entered the terminal through a sculpture of antlers in true Wyoming style. With mountains to my left and a functional piece of art on my right, I already knew this would be an above-average airport.
As soon as I entered the airport, I was greeted by works of art.
I saw a large stainless steel mural as I walked into the terminal. According to the airport’s website, it’s a map of the view out your plane window when flying into Jackson Hole.
Being greeted with this unique wall art and sculptures of animals and cowboys surrounding baggage claim was the ideal way to start my first trip to Wyoming.
On my way to the parking lot, I spotted more exhibits in the terminal.
Walking through JAC sort of felt like walking through an art museum. On my way out, I spotted more exhibits, including framed paintings and artifacts in glass casings.
When I flew out of Jackson Hole, I got a closer look at the facilities.
When I arrived in Jackson Hole, I rushed out of the airport to start my adventure. But on the way home, I had a chance to see more of the building.
The exterior almost looked like a natural structure, with glass walls, wooden awnings, and pillars made from Douglas fir trees, according to the airport’s website.
The interior had an outdoorsy vibe.
The wooden ceilings and Douglas fir pillars extended into the interior. Paired with dim mood lighting, it reminded me of a cabin in the woods.
CLB Architects renovated the space to give it a “living room” feel, according to the firm’s website.
For a small airport, I was impressed by the food selection …
The terminal was small, with less than a dozen gates, so I was surprised by the variety of food options, including a full-service restaurant and a spacious grab-and-go snack area.
… and the shopping.
There were two gift shops at JAC — one standard souvenir gift shop and another Grand Teton National Park store selling various goods, from clothing to water bottles.
I thought about how Grand Teton visitors could spend more time exploring the park and save the shopping for the airport.
The thoughtfully organized trash station was a welcome surprise.
I’ve been to a lot of airports, and I rarely see trash that’s this organized. The categories even separated magazines from newspapers.
At the gate, I spotted updated charging ports beneath the chairs — and a stellar view.
Those waiting for flights at JAC don’t need a screen. The views out the wide windows lining the terminal are entertainment enough.
But I was grateful to be able to charge my devices. Each power strip beneath nearly every seat had a regular wall outlet, two USB ports, and two USB-C ports. I charged my phone, laptop, and camera at the same time without scrambling for an open outlet, as I normally do at airports.
I also spotted two things I’d never seen in an airport — a free library and a bear spray rental counter.
Since Grand Teton National Park is known for its bear population, I wasn’t too surprised to see a bear spray rental counter at JAC. But still, it’s certainly a kiosk I’d never seen in an airport.
What surprised me more was the shelf of free books provided by the Teton County Library in the terminal. Most titles appeared to be novels, and a selection for children was on the bottom shelf.
Before boarding, I went to the bathroom and found a luxurious backsplash.
In my experience, airport bathrooms are clean at best. But at JAC, the bathroom felt luxurious, with mood lighting and a stone backsplash behind the sinks.
When it was time for takeoff, I was grateful to have found an airport I actually enjoyed waiting in.
Unlike most flights I take, I wasn’t relieved to be leaving the airport. Waiting at JAC felt more like waiting in a luxurious hotel lobby than in a terminal — and I can’t wait to fly back.
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