Arriving, The Eurostar and airlines

I got the Eurostar to Brussels in August for something or other to do with work.  
 
It was smooth, convenenient, no hassle, no massive check in problems. But something was missing. There isn't the sense of 'leaving' and 'arriving' you get from airports and planes. It's just one train station to another. 

When you arrive at another airport, there's usually that small walk to the building, or the coach that will take you there. Different light, different landscape, signs, language, theatre, magic, execitement. If you're going somewhere hot, there's that elusive smell of very warm air you don't get where I live.

I'm not convinced you can really talk about an enjoyable experience of actually flying, not for mass market anyway, but I don't know why airlines don't talk about arriving a little more. 

By the way, another time I might bash on about the joys of working with the Brussels TBWA office and remembering how good true media/engagement planners are.

Comments

[Tom]

Clever how they designed enough diappointment into St Pancras International so that you CAN'T WAIT to leave.

[John]

Good point. But have you arrived at Heathrow or Gatwick lately?

[Tom]

EVERY TIME I arrive there it's late.

[Graham.Creative.]

St Pancras is a delighful station. The closest we've got in the UK to recreating the old halcyon days of locomotive travel.

But I agree completely about the arrival.

Iconic arrivals such as Heathrow need to create a greater sense of arrival to stand any chance of people enjoying it. Heathrow should major more on it's historic equity.

After all, you don't celebrate or have fond memories of the leaving, it's all about arriving.

You don't arrive in Heathrow. You arrive in Great Britain. THAT's the sense of place which is lost.

[Rob]

I like it ... however I now get a thrill when I land and the air is cold. How twisted is that!