5 days ago
This must be one of America's easiest – and most stylish
The airport
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), California.
The flight
Delta Air Lines DL1302 from Palm Springs to Minneapolis.
The departure
It's not often you fly out of an airport that's less than 10 minutes' drive from the city's downtown area. In Palm Springs, the distance from downtown to drop-off is about three kilometres. Uber and other ride-share services are plentiful and reasonably priced (about $US17 [$A26]). Taxis and public transport are also available.
The look
The airport is a great example of modernist architecture which has become the trademark of Palm Springs. Architect Donald Wexler designed many of the homes and public buildings that went up in Palm Springs in the 1950s and '60s. The commission to design the airport was a highlight of his career. A sunny, bright Californian ambience is created with indoor-outdoor spaces, palm trees, water features, simple lines and the use of steel and glass. Views of the surrounding mountains give an immediate sense of place. The Sonny Bono Concourse, added in 1999, and named for the late singer, congressman and former mayor of Palm Springs, stays true to the mid-century aesthetic.
Check-in
Easy, breezy. Either I'm here on an especially chill day or this is one of the easiest airports in the US to navigate. I've checked in online via the Delta app, so all I have to do now is print out a bag tag and use the bag-drop lane to send my suitcase on its way. No lines, no stress. The airport hosts 13 airlines that provide non-stop flights to and from 30 destinations, including seasonal non-stop flights to Washington DC and New York's JFK, yet it feels remarkably uncrowded.
Security
I'll be travelling on a US domestic flight, but it's still a requirement to show my Australian passport at the security checkpoint. The date set for compliance in the US with the Real ID Act was May 7, this year, so it is now mandatory for all travellers on US flights to show a passport, military ID or other acceptable form of identification. There is no queue at the hand luggage screening machine and I'm on the airside of the airport in about five minutes.
Food + drink
Plenty of choices, at the usual airport-inflated prices. Coachella Valley Coffee serves local brew, while Nine Cities Craft specialises in craft beer. Food options include Mexican from Las Casuelas Terraza, sandwiches from Fig & Plum and Palm Springs-inspired dishes at Cactus to Clouds. I join the line at a water refill station to top up my bottle.
Retail therapy
PSP plans a $US2.2 billion expansion to add new features and double passenger capacity. As part of modernisation works, new retail stores have recently opened, stocking quality destination-themed items. Pick up colourful resort wear and spa goodies at Las Palmas Oasis; Hey Joshua is the spot for handmade jewellery inspired by Joshua Tree. InMotion has tech items from Apple, Sony, Bose and other brands. My favourite souvenir is a 'Palm Spraaangs' T-shirt from Uptown Essentials.
Passing time
Impressive indoor and outdoor art installations are worth a look, including a dazzling glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, a bronze sundial and a painted bighorn sheep figure. The collection showcases artists of the Coachella Valley and the wider region. Directly on airport property, the Palm Springs Air Museum will appeal to aviation enthusiasts and war history buffs. There are flight simulators, vintage planes and veteran volunteers who are keen to chat. Airport Wi-Fi is fast and free.
The verdict
