Clear Views, Bold Moves: How Brands Fly High With Airport Advertising
The Power of Large Format Graphics in Airport Advertising

Airports are busy, loud, and packed with distractions—and that’s exactly what makes them a goldmine for advertising. Every day, hundreds of thousands of travelers walk through LAX terminals with nothing but time, luggage, and eyeballs. They’re looking around. They’re waiting. They’re mentally prepping for the flight ahead.

So how do brands stand out in that sea of signage, screens, and announcements?

Custom window, floor, and wall graphics.

Window graphics are big, bold, and designed for visibility. Whether you’re promoting a luxury brand, tourism destination, tech product, or business service, custom printed graphics offer a unique blend of high-impact visuals and strategic placement. At CR&A Custom, we’ve seen firsthand how well-designed window ads can stop travelers in their tracks—and keep brands top of mind long after takeoff.

Let’s break down why custom window, wall, and floor graphics work so well in airport environments—from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Ontario International Airport and beyond.


What Are Window, Wall, and Floor Graphics?

These graphics can be applied directly to glass, wood, metal, fabric and other surfaces. In an airport setting, examples include:

  • Terminal windows

  • Lounge entryways

  • Jet bridge walls

  • Retail storefronts

  • Security checkpoint dividers

  • Baggage claim exits

You can print full-color images, text, logos, QR codes, or promotional messages on see-through, opaque, or frosted vinyl. The possibilities are wide open—just like the sightlines. 



Why Large Format Graphics Work in Airports

Here’s what makes them such a smart play in this unique environment:

1. Captive Audience, High Dwell Time

Airports are full of people who are waiting. Waiting in security lines. Waiting at gates. Waiting for baggage. During that time, they’re looking around—and a well-placed branded graphic can grab attention in an otherwise visually repetitive environment.

2. Massive Foot Traffic

Unlike digital ads that live in your target audience’s pocket (if the algorithm cooperates), airport graphics show up in front of a guaranteed stream of travelers every single day. It’s consistent, physical exposure in a controlled setting.

3. Premium Brand Association

Airports are tied to business, luxury, and travel—so advertising here automatically carries a certain polish. Brands that show up in this space tend to feel more established, global, and aspirational by default.

4. Strategic Placement Possibilities

Branded graphics can be installed exactly where your audience flows: next to gate check-in counters, lounge entries, escalator landings, or even near car rental desks. And because they’re non-permanent, you can refresh creative regularly without a full build-out. 


The Visual Advantage: Think Big (Literally)

Airport environments offer something most ad placements don’t—scale. Terminal windows and jet bridge corridors have massive stretches of glass that act like blank canvases. That kind of uninterrupted visual real estate is rare in most ad markets.

Branded graphics take full advantage of that space without blocking light or views. With translucent film or one-way perforated vinyl, you can create eye-catching displays that feel integrated into the space—not just pasted on.

Some examples:

  • A tourism board wraps a terminal wall with a beach view and a “Book Now” call to action.

  • A fashion brand installs frosted graphics showing new arrivals right outside a premium lounge.

  • A startup runs a tech teaser campaign using QR codes and cryptic phrases visible from the security line.

These aren’t passive signs—they’re immersive brand moments. 


Branding + Functionality = A Smart Combo

In addition to visual impact, branded graphics can solve practical problems for airport tenants and advertisers.

Privacy Control

Frosted or opaque films can add privacy to lounges, staff rooms, or security areas—while also serving as branded surfaces.

Sun and Glare Reduction

Vinyl films can help reduce glare from natural sunlight in heavily windowed areas, especially useful for travelers seated near the windows or in waiting areas.

Directional Support

Branded graphics can also double as wayfinding tools—pointing toward gates, exits, lounges, or partner locations in a visually compelling way.


Types of Graphics for Airport Advertising

Not all vinyl is created equal. At CR&A Custom, we match the right product to your project goals. Here are a few options:

Perforated Vinyl (One-Way View)

Perfect for when you want the image visible from the outside but allow visibility through the glass from the inside. Great for retail storefronts or promotional graphics that need to let in light.

Frosted or Etched Vinyl

Gives a soft, high-end look while maintaining partial visibility and privacy. Ideal for lounge entrances, security zones, or upscale brand messaging.

Opaque Vinyl

Blocks all visibility and delivers maximum color saturation. Perfect for short-term promotional campaigns or high-contrast creative.

Static Cling Graphics

Best for ultra-temporary campaigns. Easy to install and remove without adhesive.

We also handle installation scheduling, material selection, and durability testing to make sure your campaign doesn’t just look good on Day 1—it lasts through weather changes, temperature shifts, and heavy foot traffic. 


Technical Considerations: What CR&A Custom Brings to the Table

High-Resolution Print Output

We print everything in-house using large format printers that deliver rich color, crisp text, and brand-accurate hues—even at full wall scale.

UV Protection

Airport lighting and sun exposure can fade low-grade graphics quickly. We use UV-laminated vinyl to preserve vibrancy and reduce glare.

Flawless Installation

Our install team handles large-scale print projects in tight timeframes. We’re pros at working within airport regulations, off-hours timelines, and restricted access areas.

Removability Without Damage

Whether it’s a 6-week product campaign or a year-long brand partnership, we use materials that remove cleanly—no ghosting, no adhesive residue, no surface damage. 


Who’s Using Branded Graphics in Airports?

We’ve worked with:

  • Consumer brands looking to capture foot traffic during peak travel seasons

  • Luxury goods companies targeting high-income travelers in international terminals

  • Tourism boards promoting travel destinations right where the journey begins

  • Airport retailers driving awareness for duty-free offers or lounge perks

  • Healthcare providers promoting wellness clinics, urgent care, or travel medicine services

Branded graphics can be tailored to match your audience, flight season, or campaign goals—so they work whether you're selling a product, promoting a service, or just trying to build brand awareness. 


Let’s Take It to the Gate

Window graphics are one of the most underused tools in airport advertising—and one of the most effective. They’re big, adaptable, and designed to thrive in high-traffic, high-visibility environments. With the right creative and a professional install, they deliver lasting brand impressions in a space where attention is hard to earn.

At CR&A Custom, we help brands turn ordinary glass into extraordinary opportunities—from design to production to installation. Contact us to get started or browse our large format printing services to explore how we bring big ideas to life—at scale. Because in airport advertising, you only get a few seconds to stand out. Let’s make them count.

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