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Due to passenger demand the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has installed 20 more rocking chairs in the terminals at Logan International Airport. Massport initially placed 35 hunter green rocking chairs in terminal gate areas and common areas in June to improve the passengers' experience and relieve stress at the airport. The rocking chairs were so well received, with some passengers even waiting in line to use them, that Massport has added more.

"Whether it is new terminals and walkways, helpful volunteers or live music, we are making Logan a better airport," said Virginia Buckingham, Massport Executive Director and CEO. "The airlines at Logan told us their passengers wanted more rocking chairs and we're glad we could deliver."

While new to Logan, rocking chairs have been placed in at least three other major airports in the United States. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in North Carolina first introduced two rocking chairs as a part of an art exhibit called, "Front Porch", in one of the terminals. Passengers not only gravitated toward the exhibit, they became part of it, sitting in the chairs and rocking. When it came time to dismantle the exhibit and take the rockers away, passengers petitioned the airport to keep the chairs in the terminal. Charlotte/Douglas Airport now has about 30 rocking chairs in the terminals. Philadelphia International, Wilmington and Newark airports also have rocking chairs.

The rocking chairs are one of several new customer service initiatives launched this year. Just yesterday Massport announced a new volunteer corps at Logan to assist passengers with basic information and directional assistance. Earlier this month Massport kicked off a live musical performance series in Logan's terminals. In May, Massport unveiled a customer service training program for taxicab drivers at Logan that has already reached more than 1,000 cab drivers. In February, Massport developed Guaranteed Passenger Standards for airlines at Logan and has been monitoring airlines for their adherence to the standards. And in January, Massport initiated a program to provide delayed passengers with cots, snacks and emergency baby supplies. Massport is also seeking to address passengers' number one complaint about Logan, delays, by building a new unidirectional runway at Logan, which would reduce delays by 30 percent annually.

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