A solution for crowded airports—or another gimmick?
When moving walkways first debuted in airports, they were hailed as a futuristic way for people to traverse large terminals. But over the last 50 years, they’ve become more frustrating than convenient. Narrow lanes and bottlenecks (basically human pileups) make them inefficient, and rising maintenance costs and safety concerns have airports across the U.S. pulling the plug.
Travel hubs in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Orlando have already removed many of their aging systems, and now Dallas/Fort Worth—where passengers can walk up to two miles to reach their gate—is preparing to overhaul its walkway infrastructure. Whether or not you’re a fan, let’s be real: half the time, those walkways are out of service, leaving us to hustle through terminals anyway.
A new high-speed conveyor system has racked up over 15 million views on Instagram and has us wondering: might walkways finally live up to their promise for crowded airports?
This innovation by Beltways has gone viral for good reason. It can carry travelers up to 10 mph, which is 10 times faster than the walkways we know and love (or loathe) in most airport terminals. With enhanced safety features and an energy-efficient design, Beltways is an attractive upgrade for outdated infrastructure. But with that kind of speed (and internet fame) come questions: Is this the future of airport travel, or is it a lawsuit waiting to happen?
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The Problem With Traditional Walkways
“We’re upgrading moving walkways from dial-up to 5G,” shares co-founder John Yuksel, and he’s not exaggerating. John and his brother Matine aim to make traditional walkways a thing of the past, pointing to outdated designs and safety hazards as major issues. For example, dangerous gaps at walkway ends (that are often a result of poor maintenance) have led to severe accidents, including a 2023 incident at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, where a passenger tragically lost her leg after falling into an unprotected gap. (Warning: images are graphic.)
Beltways eliminate this danger with its innovative “pitless” design—an improvement inspired by the work of their father, Edip Yuksel, who pioneered safer walkways during his engineering career. John explains that by addressing hazards like gaps, sharp edges, and awkward elevation changes, Beltways will prevent minor issues from escalating into major incidents, like the 2022 case in Denver, where a pilot’s foot got trapped while exiting a traditional walkway.
Safety Features and Standing Fast
Beyond these physical design changes, special sensors constantly monitor the Beltways system for obstructions, automatically triggering it to stop if detected. There’s also a shutdown protocol triggered manually by passengers themselves. High guardrails, LED lighting, and accessibility features for mobility devices are more ways that riding on Beltways should feel more intuitive and less intimidating than the clunky rides we’re accustomed to.
What’s particularly exciting about Beltways, though, is its speed. Traditional moving walkways crawl at just 1.2 mph, slower than the average walking speed of 4 mph, forcing passengers to walk just to keep up. The unwritten rule of “stand on the right, pass on the left” is often ignored or unrecognized, adding to the chaos. With Beltways, everyone moves at the same speed, creating a smoother flow. No more dodging people or getting clipped by carts. “This isn’t just about getting from point A to point B faster,” explains co-founder John Yuksel. “It’s about creating a seamless, enjoyable travel experience for everyone.”
Don’t worry, built-in jerk rate guidelines ensure you accelerate and decelerate smoothly up to 10 mph without sudden jolts. All you need to do is step on, stand still, and let Betways take over! The Yuksel brothers call this “standing fast,” describing the experience as both efficient and thrilling. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) will be the first in the U.S. to pilot Beltways in 2025. Known for embracing new tech like biometric screening and self-check-in kiosks, CVG sees Beltways as a great way to improve passenger flow without sacrificing safety. If the trial goes well, we could see Beltways popping up at airports nationwide and beyond.
A Possible Solution for Crowded Airports
With all the buzz around Beltways, it’s worth considering whether it’s the real solution to airport congestion or just another tech gimmick. While high-speed walkways sound promising, implementing them comes with challenges. Airports will make a hefty upfront investment and may need to sacrifice valuable retail and dining space for the walkways, potentially affecting sales if passengers spend less time in those areas.
Mike Yuksel argues that faster transit could lead to more time spent shopping and eating. With less time waiting, passengers may have more freedom to grab a bite or shop before heading to their gates, boosting overall sales.
For airports, the true beauty of Beltways lies in its ability to reduce maintenance costs. Old systems require constant upkeep, leading to costly repairs and frequent breakdowns—issues all too familiar to frequent travelers. Beltways’ Lego-like design minimizes these needs, saving airports time and money in the long term. Another significant cost-saving benefit is its energy efficiency. Unlike traditional moving walkways that consume power continuously, Beltways only activate when there’s a passenger, reducing overall energy consumption and offering substantial savings for airports over time.
The Trends Shaping the Future of Air Travel
High-speed walkways are just one part of the puzzle when it comes to modernizing airports. Around the world, travel hubs are already adopting technologies like biometric security and automated baggage systems to improve the travel experience. Beltways could be the next game-changer, helping passengers move through terminals faster and with less effort while still being a scalable solution as terminals grow.
As more airports embrace sustainable practices, such as harnessing solar energy, reducing water usage, and earning green building certifications, Beltways’ eco-friendly design aligns with the future of air travel. The Yuksel brothers believe their system could offer a more energy and cost-efficient alternative to often over-packed airport trams. When combined with other innovations, Beltways could revolutionize how we navigate travel days, making travel less stressful.
That said, we’re not going to see this everywhere overnight. Many airports are still holding onto outdated walkways, so we’ll have to wait and see if Beltways can live up to the hype and become a standard airport feature in the years ahead.
