Airports are not normally known for their bedazzling carpets, I’d say more for the glistening and sterile surfaces that let your luggage glide across ever so silkily. But this website may change the way you look at airport flooring forever.

Carpets for Airports has started a project to document the patterns seen on airport floors around the globe, all for your viewing pleasure.

The site starts out with a globe you spin around (á la Google Earth) and click on to see how the corresponding airport’s floor is patterned. It also came as quite a surprise to me that airports even had carpets, but it does bring to question the link between carpet and culture. Or am I thinking too much?

The whole concept reminds me of a similar project to document casino carpets in the US, and while they may not be as kaleidoscopic as your average casino variety, this one is much more relevant to the international traveler, especially for the average AirTrekker who may see a dozen airports on a single trip. You can even add to the site by emailing some of your own airport carpet photography.

The whole idea is extremely entertaining and may start a new obsession when you’re ready to board the plane: looking underfoot.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Darwin, Australia

Santiago, Chile