Airports should evoke a sense of excitement as we dash off to a new destination or start a grand adventure, but for numerous travellers airports are overwhelming and stressful.

For those who cannot escape to the sanctuary of an airport lounge, there can be long lines and pushy passengers.

But soon airports could become a destination themselves: a bright and airy haven of comfort and calm.

Travellers will be able to glide through with limited human interaction armed only with a smart phone and a smile.

And don’t worry about your passport because by 2050 they’ll be outdated and totally in the cloud, or wherever we choose to store them then.

Michael Williams of ABC Radio National BluePrint for Living and I chat about the Future of Passports and the near future when passport will no longer exist.

Listen now – 11 minutes 35 seconds