This week the airline announced that, beginning February 1, main cabin passengers on many international flights will once again be served complimentary beer and wine, a practice discontinued some time ago.

Here’s the deal:

“Customers traveling on American-operated flights between the U.S. and Europe, the U.S. and Asia and / or onboard long-haul flights between the U.S. and Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay can choose from a variety of complimentary beer and wine options, in addition to the full selection of nonalcoholic beverages.”

What’s next? Complimentary pillows and blankets?

But probably because this is the hectic holiday travel season, I’ve answered questions posed by Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome, Travergence, Rudy Maxa’s radio show (the podcast should be posted shortly) and, now, the Moodie Report’s Foodie Report. (Go to pages 24 & 25 to hear the audio clips, or read the story below.)

But they weren’t joking: as I entered the terminal there was indeed someone standing there greeting everyone getting off the plane and handing out free cookies from a little wicker basket.

Turns out they’ve been doing this for more than 10 years. And, so far, volunteers at the airport have handed out more than a million complimentary, locally-baked cookies.

Those volunteers need some off. So most days there’s been no one on duty handing out cookies after 8:30 pm.

Until now.

Airport officials were getting complaints from cookie-loving passengers who arrived at the airport too late to get a snack. So to make sure no one leaves the airport hungry and disappointed, the airport now has a self-serve cookie kiosk.

Thursday evening LAN airlines kicked off a campaign to promote its South American destinations in a really fun way: it surprised about 200 people dining at Nuela restaurant in New York City  with vouchers for free roundtrip tickets to destinations in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, or Argentina.

Lucky them!

And, maybe, lucky you.

Through October 31, the airline will be giving away more tickets to South America via a Twitter contest.

Here’s how to enter

And even though no passengers were around, I found the crew at the Famous Famiglia Pizzeria stand busy making and cutting up pizzas.

Curious – and a little hungry – I stopped to find out what they were up to. I ended up talking to John Kolaj, the company co-founder, who had come to town to make sure everyone and everything was just right for opening day. He told me, for example, that water from New York is flown to each pizzeria so that the dough will always come out just right. And he made the newly-hired employees gather together for a ‘family picture.’

Kolaj is the guy with the black shirt there in the middle. (He said some people might recognize him from an episode of Celebrity Apprentice). The young man in the orange shirt to the left of Kolaj in the picture is 19 year-old Brandon Avelar.

When I asked the crew cutting up pizzas how long they’d been at it, Avelar said he was learning this skill for the first time. “In fact,” he said proudly, “This is my first job!”

Avelar said he’d learned about some job openings at the airport and gotten a call that he was hired just a few hours after his interview. He chatted for a bit longer, but then turned his attention back to work, which involved serving up the pizza, garlic knots and stromboli – for free – to the “practice customers” (hungry construction workers) lined up at the counter.

More photos to follow…

Here’s a clip from an early press conference announcing Walt Disney World.

There’s another party taking place in central Florida this weekend. On Sunday, October 2nd, Orlando International Airport is having a Community Day to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

There will be plenty of music and lots of character appearances, including Shamu from Sea World, Miss Kitty from Hello Kitty, Duffy the Bear from Disney, The Astronaut from the Kennedy Space Center and Woody and Winnie Woodpecker from Universal Studios.

A live Alligator from Gatorland will make an appearance as will the Kanani Nicdao Polynesian Dance Group.

Sound like fun? All events at the airport – including parking – are free.
Tickets to Disney World are definitely not free – but you can see the fireworks for free from the top level of the parking garage at the airport.

Here’s how to get your discounts:

Travelers who check-in at SFO’s T2 on the geo-social network Loopt, can watch the video and get “digital deals” such a complimentary product samples at Kiehl’s, discounts at Natalie’s Candy Jar and 10-20 percent off last minute travel discounts on Virgin America, which is a partner in the promotion.

The airline says it will also throw in some random two-for-one and free flight offers.

The city’s “Summer of China” celebration includes an exhibit of Chinese art and architecture at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The U.S. Table Tennis Open was played in town earlier this month.

To keep the love going, there are ping-pong tables set up around town for anyone to use.

You’ll find them at the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel, Mitchell Park Conservatory, Chase Bank Plaza, Horny Goat Hideaway and Lakefront Brewery and in the main concession mall at the General Mitchell International Airport.

To celebrate, the company is giving away millions – perhaps 5 million – free frozen Slurpee drinks.

There’s currently only one airport that has 7-Eleven shop on-site – Vancouver International Airport – but the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is scheduled to get a post-security 7-Eleven by 2013.

Still, with more than 39,000 franchises worldwide, it’s a good bet you’ll find a 7-Eleven on your way to the airport.

And while you’re slurping your free Slurpee, consider these Slurpee facts:
* American Slurpees are injected with air. Canadian Slurpees are not.
* More than 40% of all Slurpee drinks are sold during the months of June, July and August.
* Winnipeg, Canada is known as the Slurpee capital of the world.

Tuesday’s event will include Philadelphia-themed activities including a Mummers-style string band, costumed characters, beauty makeovers, a pottery demonstration and a putting contest. Tastykakes, soft pretzels and other popular Philadelphia-style foods will be distributed.

Sound like fun? The program will continue through September 9th and include live entertainment, children’s activities, art demonstrations, pep rallies and special presentations by local pro sports teams and raffles for prizes.

And what’s a party without beer?

While you’re at PHL, be sure to go see the Beer Bottle Clock from Stanley Clockworks in Terminal A-West.