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Although most airlines now charge for in-flight snacks and meals, many airlines still serve complimentary soft drinks and water.

Sometimes Coke gets swapped for Pepsi, but in general the beverage offerings seem to stay the same. But starting April 1, 2008 both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will begin serving complimentary Jones Sodas.

The Seattle-based company is best known for a variety of sodas with wild colors and wacky names. Sadly, the deep dark Chocolate Fudge and bright yellow “Fun” sodas have been retired, but you can still find the Blue Bubblegum and FuFu flavors.

Alaska and Horizon will serve Jones’ tamer offerings: a cola, a lemon-lime soda, and a cream soda.  There’s no mention of whether or not Jones’ popular Whoopass energy-drink will be added to the menu, but we are promised periodical new soda flavors.

So be sure to keep your eyes on the beverage carts, especially around the holidays.  Seasonal Jones offerings have included Turkey and Gravy soda, Creepy Cranberry and Monster Mojito sodas, and a Christmas Ham soda.

Photo courtesy Jones Soda

Categories: Food
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Most of us are used to paying inflated prices for goods and services out at the airport. But I’m pleased to report that in doing research for an upcoming column I’ve discovered that some airports still offer stuff for free.

For example, like a lot of other mid-sized airports, the General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin lets everyone park their cars free for the first 30 minutes. However, since Milwaukee is the home of Harley-Davidson, motorcycle parking is entirely free.

Don’t have your own Harley? Here’s a cute cut-out one you can have … for free.

Categories: Free Stuff
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Ever play that game, “What’s worse…”?

While I spent an hour stuck in a dentist’s chair today in Seattle, my friend Sheila was stuck in a slow-moving customer service line at the Atlanta airport.

Her connecting flight between D.C. and Memphis was one of the 275 flights Delta Airlines scrubbed today so it could perform safety inspections on 117 of its planes.

In a series of messages she left on my cell phone, my friend told me that at first she was informed she’d have stay in Atlanta until tomorrow, when seats on an alternate Delta flight might become available.

“Unacceptable,” my friend said. Sweetly, I’m sure. “I’m not leaving until we figure something out.”

And they did. My friend bought a pricey seat on an Air Tran flight.

Now let’s see if getting her refund is going to be like pulling teeth….

Categories: Delays
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To celebrate spring, and new Northwest Airlines/KLM service between Portland, Oregon and Amsterdam, the folks at Portland International Airport (PDX) are giving away a pair of round-trip tickets from Portland to Amsterdam. Want to win? Entry forms for the Spring Fling are available in the airport and on-line, but only through tomorrow – Friday, March 28^th.

Categories: Free Stuff
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Sure, airfares are going up (and up), what with fuel surcharges and extra fees for checking baggage. But, on the ground, there are still some airports offering things for free.

I’m gathering a list of the best airport freebies. So far I’ve found free local phone calls (Sioux Gateway Airport), free live entertainment (Austin, Nashville, and others) and free power poles and charging stations (Las Vegas, DFW, LAX and others).

What airport freebies have you encountered lately?

Categories: Free Stuff
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