It's back to travel, 5 things that have completely changed at Linate from "before"
Already last summer we all started traveling again, but the limitations and the amount of testing and requirements have [...]
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As early as last summer, we all started traveling again, but the limitations and the amount of testing and requirements put the brakes on foreign travel.
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Now things have definitely changed, and for the better. Moving to European destinations is almost the same as before, and even there are companies that have already decided to remove the requirement for masks on board.
Speaking of Linate Airport., awaiting the arrival of the subway that will connect Milan's city airport directly with the rest of the city, those who will return to this airport after these dark years will find a completely renovated airport in all respects.
Modernization work began before the pandemic, the runway had been completely redone in the summer of 2019, and the air terminal from 2018 to 2021 was a continuous construction site that completely disrupted the airport's appearance.
Let's say that today Linate is one of the most modern and safe airports in Europe and perhaps the world.
In the last 18 months I have been "lucky" enough to be able to travel a lot for business reasons, and I must admit that they have done things really well at Linate.
#1 The airport is all new.
The first thing is obvious, but it is obvious that we have to start from here. The shell has remained the same, but everything else is new. In the area before the security checkpoints there are new check-in counters, baggage self-drop stations, and the whole restaurant area.
From security checks to the shopping area to boarding gates, everything has been revolutionized.
#2 The new security controls.
Forget the stress of pulling out your tablet or pc. Goodbye clear bag with all the liquids separated and spasmodic search for the little shampoo dispenser in the carry-on bag.
Now you arrive, put everything in one or more trays and go under the metal detector. There are actually no body scans yet, but we are not even in America where you have to take off your shoes all the time as well.
Now everything flies by in a second, and if you then use face boarding or fast track, for example, the one that is free and included in the annual American Express Platinum fee, you also skip the queue and in 2 minutes you are ready to go shopping or go to one of the airport lounges.
#3 The new square
At Linate there is a covered square, it feels like one of Italy's many old town centers with the central town square surrounded by stores, bars, and restaurants.
Sure, all airports are now shopping malls, here, however, there is less of a feeling of being in a hamster cage.
#4 The face boarding
It is not new, or rather it is not a new technology, and at Linate it is not currently operational with all carriers/gateways. Face boarding Allows one's face to be associated with the ticket and documents and then to pass all the checks without showing anything but the face, without a mask of course, and wait for the green light.
At present, this function is active only at some gates and only for some carriers.
#5 Automatic gates to document control
Boarding area B is dedicated to flights outside the Schengen area, at Linate there are not many since the airport cannot operate non-EU or GB flights. Everything is done without going through human control anymore, you scan your electronic passport and are then scanned by a camera. Again, green light and off to boarding.
In conclusion
Linate has definitely lost the traffic to Rome that has moved to the train, but when the metro comes it will be even more in the center of the city. Now then it is pleasant and above all the technology here is really serving the passenger and not an end in itself as in some applications where the human is much faster than the machine.
