Airport Guides
& Tarmac Talk
Discover the unexpected between takeoff and touchdown.
Lenses & Latitudes Airport Guides provide firsthand information about navigating airports, terminal amenities, dining, photography opportunities and what travelers can expect when flying through each airport.
Airports are more than places to catch a flight. They are filled with architecture, artwork, local flavors, runway views and experiences that can shape the beginning or end of a journey.
Airport Guides & Tarmac Talk is my growing collection of firsthand airport experiences. Whether you are preparing for your first flight through an airport or simply curious about what awaits beyond security, these guides can help you travel with greater confidence while noticing the details that make each terminal unique.
What do these airport guides cover?
Each Tarmac Talk guide provides a firsthand look at navigating the airport, traveler amenities, local character, photography opportunities and what to expect during your time in the terminal.
Use the guides to prepare before a flight or connection—and to discover some of the details that are easy to overlook when you are focused only on getting to the gate.
Explore the Firsthand Airport Guides
Select an airport below to explore terminal navigation, traveler experiences and the distinctive details I discovered while traveling through each airport.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Chicago O’Hare is busy, energetic and filled with details worth noticing. This firsthand guide explores navigating the massive airport, finding local dining options, discovering terminal artwork and photographing the movement around one of the country’s best-known aviation hubs.
Explore ORD →Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport offers a calmer and more manageable experience than many larger hubs. This firsthand guide covers its easy-to-navigate layout, regional character, terminal artwork, traveler amenities and welcoming atmosphere.
Explore CVG →Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Douglas is a busy connecting hub with plenty of Southern character. This firsthand guide explores its terminal layout, iconic rocking chairs, runway views, dining choices and practical considerations for travelers making connections.
Explore CLT →Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metro Airport is a large but surprisingly easy-to-navigate airport with a spacious layout and traveler-friendly features. This firsthand guide explores the McNamara and Evans terminals, the colorful Light Tunnel, ExpressTram, solo-travel experience, security and practical tips for navigating DTW.
Explore DTW →Plan a Smoother Airport Experience
Pair the airport guides with practical resources that can help you prepare before reaching the terminal.
Less Stress at the Airport
Practical airport tips for making travel day feel more organized and manageable.
Your Travel Day Routine
Follow the journey from waking up through arriving at the airport and getting ready for takeoff.
Pack Your Carry-On
Review the carry-on essentials you may want with you before heading for the airport.
Airport amenities, dining options, terminal layouts and travel procedures can change. Confirm current information with the airport and your airline before traveling.
More Airport Guides Are Taking Off
This hub will continue to grow as I travel through more airports and document the experiences found beyond the security checkpoint. Check back for new firsthand guides covering airport navigation, local character, photography opportunities and the details that make each terminal unique.
U.S. Weekend Getaways
Explore destinations, road trips and easy escapes connected by many of these airports.
Travel Photography Tips
Learn more about capturing the journey—from the terminal and airplane to the destination itself.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
Take Better Photos Along the Way
Airports, airplanes and the journey itself can all become part of your travel story. Get my free Smartphone Travel Photography Cheat Sheet for practical tips you can use throughout your next trip.