At Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, the waiting time before boarding takes on a whole new meaning. Nestled in the reserved area, after security checks, on the Place des Lumières of Terminal 1, the new room “Pixel et Manette” is aimed at all departing passengers. The idea? Transform a sometimes dull layover into a fun and nostalgic break.
Pinball machines, retro arcade games, a Mario Kart simulator, and other intergenerational classics make up this collection of games designed as a true temple of entertainment. Families, groups of friends, or solo travelers can challenge each other, controllers in hand, to ease the pressure before takeoff. It’s a bold way to make the airport a vibrant place instead of just a transit hub.
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« Pixel and Controller » : the arcade that lifts your waiting time
With over 10.4 million passengers welcomed in 2024 and more than 120 direct destinations, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry is raising the bar. The site’s operator, VINCI Airports has made the Lyon platform its top airport in France and a hub for innovations. Biometric journey MONA, digital orientation kiosks, new mobility services: everything is designed to streamline and enhance the customer experience.
« The quality of the journey is at the heart of our strategy », emphasizes Cédric Fechter, chairman of the Management Board of Lyon Airports. In a context where high-speed trains...the competition speed of certain air links, the ground experience is becoming a unique selling point. And a game of pinball can sometimes be more valuable than an impersonal lounge.
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Terminal 1: Where Digital Art Meets Pop Culture
The opening of "Pixel and Controller" is part of a larger transformation of Terminal 1 into a cultural and immersive space. Since late 2025, the digital art space "Art on Air", developed with...
Artpoint continuously showcases digital artworks. Last summer, the collective OMART already took over the Place des Lumières with over a hundred creations and live performances.Video games, digital art, youth animations… The airport embraces a discovery territory positioning, in sync with the Lyon scene where arcade bars and digital leisure are booming. This trend is seen in many international hubs, where entertainment and immersive experiences are becoming pillars of the economic model.
Source : Air Journal