OAK Becomes the First California Airport to Offer Free Short Stories to All Passengers

Oct. 29, 2019
Imaginations soar at Oakland Airport with fun story dispensers.

Improving the passenger experience for Bay Area residents and visitors is key to the vision that drives officials at Oakland International Airport (OAK).  Under the leadership of Director Bryant L. Francis, the airport recently forged a new partnership with innovative French company Short Editionallowing travelers at OAK to enjoy short stories printed on-demand by Short Story Dispensers. On Oct. 10, the Airport installed two Short Story Dispensers – one in each of its two terminals – and in the first two weeks, distributed nearly 2000 stories to OAK travelers.  OAK’s Short Story Dispensers are the first at any California airport.

Francis said, “With all that is required for air travel, a customer’s airport experience can determine the quality of an entire trip. Technology now gives customers unprecedented choice and access to travel, and our goal is to provide the best experience and value possible. Like Oakland itself, our customers are diverse, savvy, and cultured, and in true Oakland spirit, they’re responding very positively to thoughtful, people-focused improvements like the new Short Story Dispensers.”

One-minute, 3-minute, and 5-minute stories by over 9,000 authors include options for both children and adults. Once the story length is selected, a printed papyrus unfurls on eco-friendly paper with no waste, no ink, and no cartridge. The entire exchange is free and takes less than a minute.

The machines arrive as OAK is underway with the complete overhaul of its Airport dining program. As temporary pop-up cafés and white construction walls hold space for the slate of Oakland-inspired eateries to open throughout 2020, OAK has taken steps to help travelers find greater enjoyment within its terminals.