Will this high-tech lounge change how you wait at airports?

Portal Lounge at MSP marks a new era in airport waiting areas by merging gaming, dining, music, interactive design and robot-made drinks into a social, energy-driven space. Opened May 28 at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International, the 3,800-square-foot lounge seats about 114 guests and features a portal-inspired entrance, cinematic lighting and art-deco interiors. Created by Gameway founders Jordan and Emma Walbridge, it expands their airport gaming concept already operating at nine U.S. airports, with plans to reach 11 locations by year-end.

With 17 dedicated gaming stations—including Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and custom PCs—the lounge offers nearly 30 titles spanning casual, multiplayer, streaming and competitive play. Travelers in the 30–39 age bracket form the largest gaming demographic and are willing to spend on premium experiences, according to Emma Walbridge. Beyond gaming, Portal Lounge emphasizes energy, entertainment and connectivity while maintaining comfortable, hospitality-forward spaces. The concept aims to transform downtime into social, experience-driven time before boarding, reflecting traveler demand for interactive environments rather than traditional quiet lounges.