Hartsfield-Jackson plans ‘traveler’s oasis’ locations

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport plans to open “traveler’s oasis” locations on two concourses.

The Atlanta airport is inviting companies to submit proposals for the traveler's oasis personal services locations on Concourses T and B.

The locations would offer services such as massage therapy, nail services, sleep pods, an oxygen bar or yoga or mediation space.

The airport is "really trying to give the passengers a way to just relax, be calm, get into the zone, the zen, maybe release some tension," said city contracting officer Philippe Jefferson.

The target customers may include millennials, groups of travelers going to celebrate a birthday or busy executives who don’t have much time to exercise or mediate, according to airport project manager Demetria Wideman.

“The goal is to promote health and wellness,” Wideman said.

Hartsfield-Jackson is also seeking contractors to operate spa locations on Concourses A and C. XpresSpa operates spa locations on Concourses A and C today, but those leases are due to expire in November.

At a pre-proposal meeting for interested companies, some business people attending asked questions surrounding the new "traveler's oasis" concept and its chances of success, and raised concerns about investing the time and money into preparing proposals amid delays and uncertainty around city contracting amid a federal bribery investigation into City Hall.

“I can’t offer any assurance, other than it’s my intent to see it through,” Wideman said.