Drying your hands at the airport? Don’t let it turn into a bad experience

During the summer holidays, airports and train stations fill with travellers. With hundreds of thousands of people passing through daily—especially in restrooms—user experience becomes a real challenge... and a major opportunity.

Have you ever thought about the impact of poor hand drying in these high-traffic areas? Inadequate equipment doesn’t just cause inconvenience: it also increases costs, creates hygiene issues, and damages the reputation of the entire facility.

What happens when the hand dryer fails?

Let’s explore some of the most common problems—and how to avoid them with smart, efficient solutions:

1. Cold air and endless drying time = frustration guaranteed

There’s nothing more annoying than placing your hands under a hand dryer only to feel a cold breeze that doesn’t actually dry them... just a waste of time.

Why does it happen?
The dryer either lacks a heating element or the motor doesn’t reach the RPM needed for a strong airflow.

Solution:
Install next-generation units like Mediclinics’ Speedflow Plus hand dryer, which combine energy efficiency, fast drying and a comfortable user experience.

2. Unplugged hand dryers? Something’s gone wrong…

It’s more common than you might think: dryers out of order and simply unplugged.

Why does it happen?
Frequent breakdowns or poor equipment choices are often to blame.

Solution:
The U-Flow eco hand dryer by Mediclinics is built to last, offering outstanding performance and minimal maintenance—perfect for high-traffic washrooms.

3. Washing and drying—why walk across the room?

Moving around the bathroom to find a hand dryer slows users down and leads to unnecessary queues and waiting times to access the wash basins.

Smart solution:
Install an all-in-one system like Mediclinics’ All-in-One Wash & Dry Station or the innovative Behind the Mirror concept. Design, functionality and efficiency—all in one spot.

4. Puddles under the hand dryer? Safety hazard and poor image

Why does it happen?
Water dripping from hands is neither collected nor channelled, accumulating on the floor.

Solution:
The Duaflow Plus hand dryer by Mediclinics includes a water collection tank or direct drain connection. Clean, safe, and efficient.

 
5. Paper on the floor and empty dispensers

When the hand dryer isn’t working, paper becomes the only option. The result? Overflowing bins, littered floors, and a neglected-looking restroom.

Solution:
Eco-high speed hand dryers by Mediclinics eliminate this need, cutting costs and boosting hygiene.

6. “Toilet closed for maintenance” signs

A nuisance for users—and a headache for building operations.

Solution:
The Machflow Plus Brushless requires no maintenance thanks to its brushless motor. Plus, its plug-in system allows for replacement in under a minute. Zero maintenance, always operational.

7. Do hand dryers spread germs? Myth busted

Some people still believe paper is more hygienic than hand dryers. But scientific studies show the opposite.

Solution:
Models like the U-Flow or All-in-One by Mediclinics include HEPA media filters and ionisers to eliminate the harmful effects of viruses and bacteria. Guaranteed hygiene. 

8. We want to save money”—but at what cost?

Unplugging hand dryers to “save” energy might seem logical, but it’s a false economy.

Did you know eco-high-speed hand dryers by Mediclinics can save thousands of euros compared to paper towels in the medium term?

Read our article: [Why you have to pick up a calculator to dry your hands in a public bathroom].

 
A smart investment, not a luxury

Fitting public washrooms in stations and airports with powerful, efficient, and hygienic hand dryers not only improves user experience—it also optimises costs, reduces maintenance, and projects a modern, professional image.

To architects, designers and facility managers:
Bathrooms are not secondary spaces. They are key touchpoints with the user and should be equipped with robust, functional, modern, and sustainable technology.

At Mediclinics, we’ve been designing solutions for this challenge for more than 50 years. Shall we talk?

Enrique González
Mediclinics S,A