In the tumultuous world of 2020, every aspect of our daily lives, including travel, has undergone intense scrutiny. One result is a redefinition of the experience of commercial airline travel that considers not only the convenience and speed of flying, but the safety as well.
As the closest airport to Travel + Leisure’s top choice in the 2020 World’s Best Islands in the Continental US, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport stands ready to answer the question of how to maintain our community’s world-class status while ensuring protection for passengers and staff. Suddenly, the smaller size of the airport has become an attribute. The airport in Brunswick basks in the “Goldilocks zone;” large enough to offer comfort, space and style without the exposure of overlapping departures and crowds.
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport 01
“In the past, some travelers automatically made the decision to go to larger urban airports without checking out their hometown option,” noted Robert Burr, Executive Director of the Glynn County Airport Commission. “That’s changed now. People want to avoid the crowds and long lines of larger airports. It’s very reassuring to come into our terminal where there is plenty of space to socially distance in comfort. Passengers realize it presents a lower risk to fly from a smaller airport.”
“It’s a time consideration for our neighbors here in the Golden Isles, as well,” he added. “Flying from Brunswick eliminates that hour-plus on the interstate just to get to the airport. Then parking is another matter. We still offer free parking for our customers, and that’s a valuable advantage.”
The terminal is virtually touch-free for travelers. The airport has automatic entry doors and sensor-operated faucets in restrooms, as well as the ability to accept electronic boarding documents. A cleaning crew stands by at all times, ready to unobtrusively sanitize every surface throughout the day. Since the longest time spent in an airport is at the beginning of the journey, this level of over-the-top cleanliness is an asset.
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport Mr. Charles
Even though it might be hidden behind a mask, the ever-present smile on the face of Senior Airport Courtesy Representative Charles Norman is still there. Winner of the Community Spirit Award from the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Mr. Charles” makes sure everyone arriving at the airport knows they are welcome, valuable guests. Travelers with disabilities receive even more of his trademark special attention. In fact, passengers with special needs make it a point to fly from Brunswick Golden Isles Airport due to the accessible design, extra assistance and warm reception they receive.
Families flying with young children appreciate the family-friendly design of the airport. Burr, a
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport family
recent grandparent himself, enjoys seeing the excitement of young passengers and fully appreciates the relief on parents’ faces when they realize there is sufficient space to let them stretch their legs before they board the aircraft.
“It’s a fact that little kids are going to want to explore and move around,” he noted. “We’ve made allowances for that. Our terrace area lets kids watch the activity on the runway, have a snack without worrying about making a mess and wear themselves out a bit.”
Health precautions aboard commercial flights have become headline topics in recent months. Although it is difficult to extract benefit from the pandemic’s effects on our world, the aviation industry has taken up the challenge to meet them head on. Delta Air Lines, which provides daily jet service for Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, has remained steadfast in their commitment to limiting cabin capacity on all flights. All Delta aircraft utilize a filtration system that delivers cabin air quality at the same level as hospital operating rooms.
A state-of-the-art electrostatic fogging procedure used between flights wipes out viruses and bacteria. Before passengers are allowed to board the aircraft, a detailed inspection is done to ensure the cabin meets the airline’s high standards. If you thought your mom was strict about how you cleaned your room when you were a kid, imagine several highly critical professionals certifying every square inch of it multiple times a day. The cabin’s interior undergoes a detailed inspection before passengers are allowed to board. If anything is less than 100%, nobody gets on the plane until it is resolved. Period.
“As things evolve here in the Golden Isles as well as the rest of the world, we are eager to welcome visitors back and help our neighbors put their delayed travel plans into action,” Burr said. “It’s more than an economic issue for us. People get into the aviation business to help others expand their horizons, and here in particular, to extend the hospitality that is part of our local culture. It’s an essential part of our identity. It’s who we are.”
For more information about the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and its daily flights and services, visit flygcairports.com.
Leslie Faulkenberry is the Vice President of Faulkenberry Certain Advertising (FCA), the longest serving professional advertising and public relations agency in the Golden Isles. She has written for regional and national publications and film projects on aviation and aviation history of the Golden Isles, as well as local history and historic preservation topics. FCA maintains a dedicated team of employees and vendors who are highly-skilled in disciplines essential to agency services and client needs. You can reach Leslie at 912.638.7770 or lfaulkenberry@comcast.net.
