AI predicts future look of some leading US airports

Driven by an interest in how technology, architecture and artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the face of air travel, Icelandair has utilised an AI image generation tool to envisage the architectural landscape of some of the US’s largest airports by 2050.

The AI image generation tool predicts how these airports will look and function in the coming years based on the current patterns in technological advancements and their perceived trajectory.

Pie in the sky or a snapshot of the future? You decide.

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport is located on a sprawling 33,531 acre site and already has a number of innovative and ambitious development projects underway across the airport campus.

By 2050, AI foresees a departure from its iconic Teflon-coated fibreglass and steel peaked roofs, giving way to energy-efficient glass structures that harness solar power. The terminals will expand in size and embrace biophilic designs that weave green spaces into every level.

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport in Florida is renowned for its unique fusion of a tropical environment and modern aesthetics, which is projected to reach new heights by 2050, according to AI.

A striking feature of this transformation is the central artificial river that flows through the airport, providing convenient transportation to various terminals. As you gaze up at the sky, an impressive array of aeroplanes can be observed, hinting at potential advancements in aircraft technology, including wingless designs and more streamlined shapes.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Ranked as the third busiest airport in the US, O’Hare will be nearly unrecognisable by 2050, expanding both skyward and outward. Its transformation includes domed structures and an intricate network of internal roads, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the airport.

New York-John F Kennedy International Airport

John F Kennedy Airport is the main international airport serving New York City, jutting out into Jamaica Bay. The airport’s architectural projection for 2050 includes two magnificent glass dome terminals at its core, linked to the mainland by a network of roads.

In the surrounding waters, there are hints of innovative aircraft designs that appear capable of taking off from water, reinforced by the absence of runways in the surrounding blueprint.

Similar to other airports, AI suggests an emphasis on architecture featuring glass structures and incorporating green elements.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, renowned for its contemporary design, will predictably experience monumental growth, more than doubling its current size.

The expansion envisions a network of lounge hubs and terminals surrounding a breathtaking air traffic control tower. Unique steel structures and staggered floor layers extend beyond the terminal, interwoven by a sprawling system of thoroughfares.

Other gateways set to get that space age look in the future, according to Icelandair’s imaginings, include Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (the image below that resembles a city on Mars) and San Francisco International Airport, below that, which seems to have drawn its inspiration from the famous Loch Ness monster!