Airports have a key role to play in championing a city’s or country’s craft, culture, tastes and traditions. For visitors they offer the first and last impression of the locality, for that city’s citizens they provide a source of civic pride. An arts & culture programme connects passengers to a place in the same way an airport connects them to the world. Many airport companies embrace that role with pride and passion as we explore in our regular column.
USA. Metropolitan Washington Airports has unveiled an immersive cherry blossom-inspired installation at Ronald Reagan National and Dulles International airports as part of the America 250 celebration.
The event, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, offers travellers an interactive photo spot inspired by the Lincoln Memorial’s famous chair.
The cherry blossom-themed display brings a “distinctly D.C. touch” to the space. Designed and built in-house, the backdrop and branding were created by the marketing team, and the chair was crafted by the DCA Shops team.
The installation coincides with ‘Friendship in Bloom’, an exhibition celebrating Japan’s 2026 gift of 250 cherry blossom trees to the USA. Organised by the Embassy of Japan, it culminates an exchange project fostering cultural appreciation between American and Japanese elementary students.
The activation is located at the National Hall, post-security, next to Solid State Books at Reagan National Airport. ✈
