Trump Administration Demands Healthier Food, Family-Friendly Amenities, and Exercise Equipment at Airports to Revolutionize Travel in US

Published on December 9, 2025

In an effort to improve the travel experience for U.S. passengers, the Trump administration has called on airlines and airports to enhance their offerings with healthier food options, exercise equipment, and family-friendly features. During a press conference held at Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined his goal of making travel more enjoyable and accommodating for everyone, particularly by promoting healthier alternatives and better facilities for families.

Encouraging Healthier Food Choices and Family-Friendly Features

Secretary Duffy announced that he had personally reached out to the CEOs of major U.S. airlines to discuss how they could improve the overall travel experience. His suggestions for healthier food onboard have been a focal point of his campaign to make air travel more beneficial for passengers. Duffy emphasized the need for airlines to offer better food choices, encouraging them to replace traditional snacks like salty pretzels and sugary cookies with options that promote health and well-being. This would be a step toward providing passengers with more nutritious meals, allowing them to feel better during their flights.

The call for healthier food options is part of a larger initiative by the Department of Transportation to enhance passenger comfort during air travel. Duffy acknowledged that many airports have limited food choices, especially for travelers who are confined to long waits before their flights. However, he noted that while reducing food prices at airports remains a difficult challenge tied to market demand and supply, the department’s priority is to make healthier alternatives available to those who choose them.

Additionally, Duffy’s plan calls for airlines and airports to introduce more family-friendly features, including designated areas for young children to play and places for mothers to nurse. These features would make the experience of traveling with children far more comfortable, addressing common concerns that many parents face during air travel. The conversation about providing these amenities is ongoing, and the aim is not to mandate requirements but to create a travel environment that prioritizes passenger needs without forcing any drastic changes on airlines or airports.

Exercise and Wellness Before Flights

As part of his focus on passenger well-being, Duffy also urged airports to incorporate exercise equipment in their terminals. Recognizing the toll that long flights and waiting times can take on the body, Duffy highlighted the importance of staying active before boarding. During the press conference, Duffy and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy demonstrated the benefits of physical activity by performing pull-ups in front of reporters, underscoring their commitment to promoting exercise as part of the travel experience.

While the proposal for exercise stations at airports is still in its early stages, the goal is clear: to offer passengers the opportunity to stay active before their flights, which may help reduce stress and improve overall health during travel. Providing these amenities could encourage healthier behaviors and create a more comfortable environment for passengers on the move.

Improving the Travel Experience Without Overregulation

Duffy has been clear in stating that these initiatives are not about imposing new regulations or mandates. Instead, he wants to create a conversation around improving the travel experience for everyone involved. By focusing on healthier food options and family-friendly amenities, the administration is striving to make travel more pleasant and less stressful for passengers.

Importantly, Duffy reassured the public that the push for changes does not involve fines or penalties for airlines or passengers who choose not to adopt these suggestions. For example, he confirmed that he would not be penalizing passengers who wear pajamas on flights. His remarks about the dress code were made in a lighthearted way, emphasizing that the conversation about improving air travel is centered on enhancing passenger comfort without imposing heavy-handed requirements.

Ongoing Initiatives and Challenges in Air Travel

As part of his broader efforts to overhaul the nation’s air traffic control system, Duffy is also overseeing a $12.5 billion modernization project aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of U.S. air traffic control operations. One of his primary goals is to address the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, which has been a significant issue affecting air travel in recent years. He is advocating for Congress to approve an additional $19 billion to complete the modernization and ensure that the air traffic control system can handle the growing demands of the aviation industry.

Duffy has also commented on a proposal under President Joe Biden’s administration that would prevent airlines from charging families extra fees to sit together. According to Duffy, airlines would be required to seat families with young children together, at no additional cost, when adjacent seats are available during the booking process. However, no further updates have been provided regarding the status of this proposal.

Conclusion: Aiming for a Better Travel Experience

As the Trump administration pushes for healthier food options and better family amenities at airports, the conversation about improving the air travel experience continues to evolve. While Duffy’s suggestions are still in the early stages, they represent a clear commitment to improving the well-being of passengers. Airlines and airports may soon see changes that focus on health, family comfort, and physical activity, all of which could help make the travel experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. These initiatives are designed to enhance comfort and convenience without imposing unnecessary regulations or costs on passengers or airlines.

[Source: Reuters]