The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently made headlines – not with policy changes, but with a video of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. performing pull-ups at Reagan National Airport. The stunt, part of a $1 billion investment to turn airports into “wellness spaces,” including gyms and healthier food options, sparked immediate backlash. The core issue isn’t health; it’s efficiency. Airports are places people endure, not enjoy, and superficial improvements won’t change that.
The Misguided Focus on Wellness
The administration’s push for “civility” in air travel – starting with dress codes – is equally misplaced. Travelers don’t want to feel better about their surroundings; they want the process to be less worse. Airports are inherently unpleasant: long lines, delays, fluorescent lighting, and overpriced everything. People willingly pay extra for TSA PreCheck to avoid security hassles, and pack lounges just to escape the depressing gates. No one wants to workout at an airport. A gym might only be useful during a major delay, or as a more humane alternative to the airport bar.
What Travelers Actually Want
The fundamental problem is that airports fail at their core function: moving people efficiently. The real improvements people crave are bigger seats, better deals, fewer delays, and fair compensation for disruptions. The current reality is shrinking seats, rising airfares, and vanishing consumer protections.
The administration’s wellness push distracts from systemic issues:
- FAA Flight Controller Shortages : Leading to safety concerns and delays.
- Airlines’ Lack of Accountability : The administration dissolved a program forcing airlines to compensate passengers for lengthy delays.
- Price Gouging : Airfares are up, and airlines squeeze profits with baggage fees, seat selection, and other upcharges.
The Larger Point
The outrage over gyms and healthy food is intentional. By focusing on superficial changes, officials divert attention from the problems they aren’t addressing. The state of air travel is a universally frustrating experience. Ask anyone waiting for their flight, and they’ll tell you what matters: efficiency, affordability, and basic respect. Not 15 pull-ups and business casual.
The obsession with wellness in a fundamentally broken system is a distraction. Airports are not wellness retreats; they’re transit hubs. Fix the system first, then consider the amenities.
