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(Photo courtesy Sandy L. Stevens, ABIA)

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport turns 10 years old on Friday, May 22 (2009) and they’re having a party to celebrate with birthday cake, live music and free ticket giveaways.    The party continues on Saturday with discounts for everyone in all the airport shops and restaurants.

Here’s what’s on tap:

On Friday at 10:10 a.m., the Del Valle Elementary choir will sing “Happy Birthday” on the Asleep at the Wheel stage, birthday cake will be served to passengers, and Southwest Airlines will give on lucky passenger some round-trip tickets.

Other airlines will give away round-trip tickets at 10 minutes past the hour at various intervals throughout the day.  And Grammy award winner Rick Trevino will perform live from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at “Ray Benson’s Roadhouse.”

On Saturday, May 23, all the concessions in the terminal, including food, beverage and retail, are discounting purchases by 10%.

Have fun and Happy Birthday!

Categories: Events, Free Stuff
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“For a limited time only,” which could end up stretching throughout the summer, you’ll be able to get $5 meals at both Philadelphia International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

Between the two airports, there are 50 restaurants and food vendors participating in the WOW! $5 CHOW! promotion, which includes special offers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If your summer travel plans include either airport, I’d suggest printing out the list and tucking it into your carry-on.

Here’s a link to the participating restaurants at LaGuardia Airport and here’s a link to the participating restaurants at Philadelphia International Airport.

Also, keep in mind, that T.G.I. Friday’s, which has more than 18 airport branches, is offering full size portions of 16 salads and sandwiches for $5 through the month of May.  If you sign up for their Give me more Stripes program, you’ll also get other free stuff throughout the year. (T.G. I. Airport branches include:  Detroit, DFW – 6 locations, San Francisco, San Antonio, MSP, ATL, Tampa, Newark, Indianapolis, Islip, Tulsa, and Pittsburgh.

Categories: Deals, Food, Restaurants
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Dwell magazine’s June 2009 issue picks San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal as the Best Airport in the United States and Singapore’s Changi Airport as the Best International Airport.

Writer Tom Downs says SFO’s International Terminal “elevates expectations with its sweeping, wing like roof and custom lettering oozing cosmopolitan style… Waylaid travelers can busy themselves with an aquarium, an aviation museum, thoughtful art and culture exhibits, spa treatments, quality restaurants, and wireless Internet.”

While Downs says Changi Airport’s indoor waterfall “does approach Las Vegas standards of excess…,” he allows that “the vines, tasteful wood trim, and warm tones help offset the coldness commonly found in international hubs.”  And he certainly approves of the “24-hour cinema, spa, showers, children’s play areas, and free Internet service.”

Do you agree?

Categories: Design
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On Souvenir Sunday we take a look at some cool, inexpensive souvenirs that can be found at airports.

This week, I want to draw your attention to the award-winning products from the Attractive souvenirs of Japan Contest which, I am told,  are sold at Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Haneda Airport, Central Japan International Airport as well as other locations.

There are several categories in this contest, including Japanese Foods, Japanese Craftsmen, and Ecology.  But the category that caught my eye was the Cool Japan Category.

For 2009, the gold prize in the Cool Japan Category went to the iPouch:

The silver prize went to small handmade sushi and sweets made out of silk crepe.

Look for these items next time you’re in a Japanese airport.

And please bring home of that silk crepe sushi for me!

Found a great souvenir on sale at an airport?  If it’s under $10 – and not a shot glass – take a picture and send it along so we can feature it in a future edition of Souvenir Sunday!

Categories: Souvenirs
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Next time you’re asked (told) to take your shoes off at an airport security checkpoint, don’t put them in a bin; put them directly on the X-ray belt.

According to “Lynn” on the TSA’s Evolution of Security Web Site:

This will help to declutter bins and give officers a better view of shoes coming through, as well as everything else. Our officers are seeing some pretty packed bins with shoes, electronics, wallets and other items, and when they can’t get a good look, a cluttered bin is more likely to get pulled aside for additional screening. Nobody likes that.

No, nobody likes that. And I’ve never liked the idea that shoes went in the same bins as all our other stuff anyway.   So while it may help de-clutter the bins, it will also help de-germ them.

Categories: Check-In, Security
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