The Future of Airport Design and Leadership - John Anthal - Mancini Duffy - Episode # 227
"Learning more from other clients helps us solve problems for our existing clients in ways we hadn’t thought about before. It’s about a diversity of knowledge in a niche market."
Audio Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
How do architects create airports that feel human, intuitive, and welcoming while juggling regulations, budgets, and countless stakeholders?
In this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with John Anthal, Principal and Aviation Sector Leader at Mancini Duffy, to unpack the hidden complexity of airport design, the evolving meaning of hospitality in aviation, and how leadership, technology, and culture shape the future of large-scale infrastructure.
John pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to design terminals for millions of travelers, from Lufthansa’s JFK lounge to major Port Authority projects, while keeping the end user at the center. They explore human-scale design in massive public spaces, the tension between grand architecture and comfort, how AI and new tools are transforming the studio, and why empowering young designers leads to the most innovative ideas. This is a deep dive into architecture, hospitality, leadership, and the future of air travel, grounded in real-world lessons from one of the industry’s most experienced aviation designers.
Takeaways:
Airport projects are full of regulations, politics, and competing priorities but success hinges on never losing sight of the end user. Human-scale touches and thoughtful amenities transform overwhelming spaces into welcoming ones.
Creating comfort in aviation means understanding diverse travelers and reinforcing brand through design. Small cultural cues, like Lufthansa’s pickle bar, build familiarity and ease.
U.S. airports often struggle with outdated systems and tight sites. Long project timelines require forward-thinking, adaptable planning that anticipates future technologies and growth.
Entrepreneurial thinking drives new opportunities. Employees are encouraged to pitch new business ideas and build new verticals, creating a culture where initiative is celebrated.
Technology is an enabler, not a replacement. AI tools and modern platforms like Revit enhance creativity and efficiency, helping teams visualize ideas faster and communicate them more powerfully.
“Learning more from other clients helps us solve problems for our existing clients in ways we hadn’t thought about before. It’s about a diversity of knowledge in a niche market.” - John Anthal
Connect with John:
John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-anthal-98849b103/
Mancini Duffy Company website: https://www.manciniduffy.com/
Mancini Duffy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mancini_duffy/
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk
Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/