View, the smart building technologies specialist, has installed its Smart Windows in the South Concourse Terminal expansion at Missoula Montana Airport (MSO).

View Smart Windows are a key component of MSO’s expansion project, which aims to lower the airport’s carbon footprint and establish MSO as Montana’s flagship airport. The windows use artificial intelligence to automatically adjust in response to outdoor conditions, providing continuous views of the surrounding Missoula Valley and Northern Rockies while blocking heat and glare to optimise passenger comfort and reduce energy consumption from lighting and HVAC by as much as 20%.

“MSO is the gateway to Western Montana, and we wanted the new terminal to showcase the region’s spectacular natural beauty,” said the airport’s deputy director, Tim Damrow. “View Smart Windows help us deliver a truly state-of-the-art facility that is energy-efficient and enclosed in floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views.”

Scheduled to open in early June, the terminal includes five new gates.

In a study on natural light and the airport experience, passengers who boarded at gates with View Smart Windows were 68% more likely to report a higher satisfaction rate and rated the airport as 33% more modern, efficient, bright, and comfortable. A similar study on daylight and views found that seats at gates with View Smart Windows were 15° cooler than those with traditional windows, helping passengers stay comfortable.

MSO is part of a growing list of airports across the United States with View Smart Windows, including Boston Logan International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Spokane International Airport, and the recently announced installation at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.