San Francisco International Airport is getting quieter

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo credit: Russss, licensed under CC BY 4.0

Frequent traveler Gary Leff, who writes View from the Wing travel blog, discusses how San Francisco International Airport and other airports around the world have eliminated unnecessary announcements over loudspeakers, making these spaces quieter. That’s good for travelers. 

Travel can be stressful. Perhaps one can say that travel is always stressful for most travelers. For air travel, questions include, “Will my flight be on time? Will the people supposed to meet me be there? Will my bags come down the chute at the carousel?”

Unnecessary noise adds to stress because noise by itself is stressful. Reducing unnecessary announcements makes the airport quieter. Others like Heathrow Airport have made similar efforts. Instead of repeated announcements, some airports — including SFO — use video monitors to inform travelers of gate changes and boarding times.

San Francisco International Airport is going further, trying to reduce noise from escalators and moving walkways, and adding quiet rooms, Leff said. This will certainly help neurodivergent travelers, but will help all travelers have a better airport experience.

Quieter airports, as part of a quieter world, will help make a better and healthier world for all.