Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport has introduced an unconventional twist to its flight information display screens at Terminal 2, leaving passengers both amused and impressed. Instead of the usual clutter of 'On Time', 'Delayed', or 'Boarding' messages, the screens now feature prompts such as 'Snack before you fly', 'Explore the art gallery', and 'Shop, stroll, smile!' These messages, displayed in both English and Kannada, first appeared intermittently in late March and were fully deployed by early May.
A New Approach to Waiting Time
According to a Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) spokesperson, the initiative aims to transform how passengers utilize their waiting time. 'Passengers often arrive well ahead of departure, and these prompts were introduced as subtle nudges to explore the terminal's wider offerings, including lounges, cafés, retail, art and cultural experiences, rather than viewing the airport purely as a transit space,' the spokesperson explained.
The spokesperson further added, 'This also takes the stress away from passengers by allowing them to experience the airport instead of just sitting and waiting for the boarding announcement and not moving from near the gate for fear of missing the boarding announcements. This ensures the passengers are empowered and are being given an idea of what they can do before boarding.'
How the System Works
The system is programmed to display these prompts only during the early pre-departure window. For domestic flights, the messages appear when there are more than 90 minutes left before departure, while for international flights, the threshold is over 120 minutes. As the flight time approaches, the display automatically reverts to standard updates such as security check, boarding, and on-time status.
Passenger Reactions
The quirky screens have garnered positive reactions on social media. Lalith, an X user, commented, 'Just Bengaluru airport doing Bengaluru things. Instead of just telling you your gate is 6 minutes away, Namma Bengaluru airport tells you exactly how to spend those minutes. Coffee, snacks, or art? Deciding that is the hardest part of the journey now.'
Another X user, Shreyansh, praised the design, saying, 'That's actually brilliant UX design – turning waiting time anxiety into discovery time instead of just stressing people out about the walk.'
The move reflects Bengaluru's trademark blend of functionality and quirkiness, offering passengers a more engaging airport experience. By encouraging exploration of the terminal's amenities, the airport aims to reduce pre-flight stress and make waiting time more enjoyable.
