A closer look
Every single element of an airport is designed to efficiently separate you from your money before takeoff. While terminals use easily cleanable hard floors in high-traffic corridors, the gate areas are aggressively carpeted to subconsciously mimic the comfort of a living room. Psychologists found that when passengers transition onto soft carpeting, their walking pace naturally slows down and their stress levels drop. This artificial state of relaxation drastically increases the likelihood that they will wander into a duty-free shop and buy a $45 neck pillow.
