Jun 11 2025
It's bold, it's dynamic -- it's beloved or reviled.
No matter your opinion, the carpet at Springfield-Branson National Airport has been a topic of conversation since the terminal opened in 2009. And in 2025, the iconic wave, grass and pebble carpet will be removed from the terminal as part of a $4.4 million flooring replacement project.
Join us for a walk down memory lane with a history of the SGF Carpet.
2006
Passenger Growth Spurs Change
800,000 passengers in 2005 exceed the former terminal's capacity. The Airport Board approves the beginning of construction for a $117 million terminal.
May 12, 2009
Midfield Terminal Opens to Public
Nearly 100,000-square-feet of carpet greets passengers and staff when the Airport opens. Swirling blues and greens represent the Ozarks' streams, grass and gravel riverbanks.
December 30, 2009
A Not-So-Ringing Endorsement
A Springfield News-Leader Letter to the Editor critizes the carpet publicly. "A THORN to the person responsible for selecting that awful carpet at the Airport, which caused a severe reaction for my vertigo."
2014
The Rise of the #CarpetSelfie
Passengers begin posting photos of their feet on the SGF carpet with the hashtag #carpetselfie. A locally viral trend is born.
2015
SGF Airport Carpet Selfie Contest
Springfield-Branson National Airport leans in to the fun of the #carpetselfie, launching a contest celebrating passenger creativity and carpet fandom.
2016
"Decidedly Chill" Social Post Wins Hearts
One Facebook post affectionately describes the carpet as "decidedly chill," winning hearts and gaining approval of the carpet across social media.
2018
Art Meets Carpet Meets Art
Local artist Stephanie Cramer creates an abstract painting inspired by the carpet design and its featured in SGF's Sky Gallery.
2020
Partial Replacement During COVID-19
Sections of the carpet are swapped out when foot traffic came to a halt and fewer passengers would be affected by construction during COVID-19.
2023
Carpet Begins to Show Its Age
Conversations begin to replace the carpet. The carpet begins to truly show its age, and the Airport Board begins discussions on when and how to replace the iconic carpet.
2024
A New Wave of Design
Architecture firm Alliiance is contracted to start designing the new flooring. Community members and Airport leaders gather for visioning workshops of what the terminal could look like. After multiple revisions, a new floor design pays homage to the soon-to-be replaced carpet.
2025
Flooring is Revamped
The start of the 42-week long construction begins to replace the entire 93,000-square-foot carpet with terrazzo flooring, chosen for durability and longevity.
No matter your opinion, the carpet at Springfield-Branson National Airport has been a topic of conversation since the terminal opened in 2009. And in 2025, the iconic wave, grass and pebble carpet will be removed from the terminal as part of a $4.4 million flooring replacement project.
Join us for a walk down memory lane with a history of the SGF Carpet.
2004
Designing the Midfield Terminal
2006
Passenger Growth Spurs Change
800,000 passengers in 2005 exceed the former terminal's capacity. The Airport Board approves the beginning of construction for a $117 million terminal.
May 12, 2009
Midfield Terminal Opens to Public
Nearly 100,000-square-feet of carpet greets passengers and staff when the Airport opens. Swirling blues and greens represent the Ozarks' streams, grass and gravel riverbanks.
December 30, 2009
A Not-So-Ringing Endorsement
A Springfield News-Leader Letter to the Editor critizes the carpet publicly. "A THORN to the person responsible for selecting that awful carpet at the Airport, which caused a severe reaction for my vertigo."
2014
The Rise of the #CarpetSelfie
Passengers begin posting photos of their feet on the SGF carpet with the hashtag #carpetselfie. A locally viral trend is born.
2015
SGF Airport Carpet Selfie Contest
Springfield-Branson National Airport leans in to the fun of the #carpetselfie, launching a contest celebrating passenger creativity and carpet fandom.
2016
"Decidedly Chill" Social Post Wins Hearts
One Facebook post affectionately describes the carpet as "decidedly chill," winning hearts and gaining approval of the carpet across social media.
2018
Art Meets Carpet Meets Art
Local artist Stephanie Cramer creates an abstract painting inspired by the carpet design and its featured in SGF's Sky Gallery.
2020
Partial Replacement During COVID-19
Sections of the carpet are swapped out when foot traffic came to a halt and fewer passengers would be affected by construction during COVID-19.
2023
Carpet Begins to Show Its Age
Conversations begin to replace the carpet. The carpet begins to truly show its age, and the Airport Board begins discussions on when and how to replace the iconic carpet.
2024
A New Wave of Design
Architecture firm Alliiance is contracted to start designing the new flooring. Community members and Airport leaders gather for visioning workshops of what the terminal could look like. After multiple revisions, a new floor design pays homage to the soon-to-be replaced carpet.
2025
Flooring is Revamped
The start of the 42-week long construction begins to replace the entire 93,000-square-foot carpet with terrazzo flooring, chosen for durability and longevity.