Synopsis

Every day millions of people all over the world drive, take public transportation; sometimes even walk to their closest airport. For some it's a quick business trip, for others a visit to family and friends, and still others a vacation of a lifetime (or just this year). What we don't think about however, is that the airport is a world within itself. At Los Angeles International Airport for example there are 60,000 people who show up for work every day from airline employees to Federal Airline Administration members; driving, cleaning, selling anything from toothpaste to Gucci handbags. Every airport has its own police department, fire department, a department in charge of roads, parking, runways - the list goes on and on. But we seldom get a chance to glimpse the secret world that makes it all happen.

Come with us as we explore this unique world. We'll take off from one of the nation's newest and most beautiful airports, National in Washington DC, change planes at the world's busiest airport, Chicago's O'Hare, and finally reclaim our luggage upon landing at Los Angeles International Airport. We'll also take a look at alternative airlines such as Southwest and see how a 20-minute turnaround for flights translates into savings for those who don't mind a little less pampering. We'll go into the flight simulators that teach the flight attendants how to deal with extreme turbulence and emergencies. Then we'll talk about the airports of the future and how they are going to deal with huge increases in passengers and flights. And we'll hear experts and lay travelers share their views about the experience of jet travel.