Departures Road at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has received a fresh new look that brings nature, local history, and sustainability together in a meaningful way. As part of the airport’s capital development plan, the “Departures Terminal Landscape Improvements” project makes traveling through PHL feel more immersive and gives visitors a feel of local nature.

The walkway from Terminal A-West through Terminal F are green spaces filled with local native plants, tracing the path of streams that once flowed through the area. The local plants were carefully chosen for how they support the environment. In the spring, look for oakleaf hydrangea and beardtongue. In the fall, red chokeberry and staghorn sumac take over. These plants support pollinators, help manage rainwater, and can handle changing weather. 

“The landscape project is part our continuous commitment to enhancing the guest experience,” said Chief Development Officer Api Appulingam. “Not only does it improve a green space, but it also features an educational activity for passengers and employees as they walk from one terminal to the next.”   

Along the paths, travelers encounter interactive installations styled as bright red airplane windows. These frames highlight surrounding plant life while sharing the story of each species and its roots in the local ecosystem. These installations offer airport guests an engaging way to learn something new and feel more connected to the place they’re traveling through. Complementing the installations are solar-powered lights shaped like tree trunks.  

“The project is more than just landscaping, it’s about creating an experience and telling the story,” said Appulingam. “By combining nature, history, design, and local culture, PHL managed to turn the departures area into a space that reflects region’s beauty and feels uniquely Philadelphia.”