As if dragging a three-wheeled carry-on across the mileage of an international airport isn’t enough, the government wants you panting before your flight. This week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a pull-up competition in the middle of Reagan National Airport’s Terminal 2 (not a metaphor) to announce the $1 billion in grants the administration plans to allocate toward healthy airport upgrades.
- Officials were vague about what these upgrades could include, but mentioned projects like dedicated play areas for kids, more lactation pods, and mini-gyms for travelers.
- The funding will come from former President Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is part of the current administration’s “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” initiative.
But…over 30 major US airport hubs already have children’s play areas, and most airports have been required to provide private lactation areas since FY2021. And 68% of passengers said their top priority for air travel changes is lower prices, according to a 2025 Ipsos poll for Airlines for America.
Big picture: The administration has been pushing initiatives to make flying more pleasant. Last month, Duffy encouraged travelers to dress up for flights and act right, which some travelers responded to by…wearing pajamas to the airport to troll the secretary.—MM
This report was originally published by Morning Brew.