Cyril E. King Airport, pictured as federal officials announce a $1 billion initiative encouraging airports to add family-friendly features, healthier food options, and wellness amenities. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday announced a federal initiative aimed at improving the airport experience for families and travelers seeking healthier options, unveiling $1 billion in grant funding for fiscal year 2026 to support those upgrades. The announcement, delivered at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., launches the “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign and outlines what the Department of Transportation hopes airports nationwide will pursue.
Under the initiative, airports are being encouraged to apply for grants to introduce new features such as nursing suites, family security lanes, healthier food choices, and fitness amenities that could include treadmills and pull-up bars. Duffy said the program is designed to address long-standing travel frustrations, from lengthy lines to the lack of resources for parents and passengers focused on wellness. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who joined him for the event, underscored the health component of the effort.
The funding derives from the Airport Terminal Program, established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides about $1 billion annually for competitive grants through 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration has released a notice of funding opportunity detailing the application requirements, emphasizing proposals that enhance accessibility, passenger flow, and terminal efficiency.
Duffy described the potential for airports of all sizes to benefit from these investments, saying the grants could help reshape facilities across the country by prioritizing family-oriented design and encouraging healthier options. To highlight the wellness aspect, Duffy and Kennedy participated in a pull-up contest during the announcement, an informal moment used to reinforce the campaign’s emphasis on fitness amenities within terminals. Kennedy, who won the contest, connected the initiative to broader administration goals involving obesity prevention and public health improvement.
The Department of Transportation indicated it will prioritize applications that integrate these elements, though final funding decisions will depend on project feasibility and overall impact. Industry organizations have expressed support for the initiative, with Airports Council International–North America calling the funding a timely investment as passenger numbers continue to rise. Some critics, however, questioned whether the grants address deeper concerns tied to staffing shortages and infrastructure needs.
Applications for the new grant cycle are due by March 2026, with awards expected later that year. The campaign builds on ongoing Federal Aviation Administration efforts to modernize airport terminals, including earlier funding rounds focused on accessibility improvements. Duffy’s announcement reflects the Trump administration’s broader focus on practical enhancements to air travel and may help shape how airports adapt in the years ahead. While no information has been released on specific airport recipients, the Department of Transportation encouraged proposals aligned with the initiative’s family and health.
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