Kicking it in a sleep pod. SFO is considering offering these at the International Terminal.

I read last week in the San Francisco Chronicle that the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is seeking a concessionaire to build places where weary travelers can catch a few zzzzzs.

They aren’t talking about constructing a Hilton on the premises. Or even Motel 6. The concept of renting “sleep units”  — those tiny Japanese-style pods you may have seen — is being bandied about for SFO.

The 886-square-foot units will include a bed, desktop, and data outlets as well as televisions and possibly restrooms.

The idea of small pods for rent in the airport is targeted mainly toward the business traveler who needs to show up looking fresh even after a long, uncomfortable flight.

According to the article, there are similar “capsule hotels” in congested airports in many Asian cities and the trend is spreading to the West.

In London, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports both have tiny spartan rooms offering beds, desks, toilets, showers, storage, free Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs. Ditto for the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. If you want to pay more, you can even get a larger space and better amenities including dinner ordered from a touch screen.

Rates, of course, vary but a standard capsule at the Amsterdam cost about $50 last week.

People sleeping in pod capsules? Weird? A little. Smart? For sure. Welcome to the future, baby. At least we’ll be properly rested.

Thanks to scz on Flickr for the photo.