According to this article, Robert McDonald, a passenger on a Delta flight heading from JFK to Las Vegas on Sunday after arriving from Rome,  is in big trouble after trying to open an emergency exit door while the airplane waited out a delay at JFK airport.

Flight 149 pulled back from the gate just after 5 p.m. but was delayed on the taxiway for more than 2 1/2 hours due to bad weather and congested skies, common issues at JFK. Around 7:45 p.m., McDonald, who was traveling with his wife, lost his cool, prosecutors said.

“Apparently, the defendant wanted to get off the plane,” District Attorney Richard Brown said, “so he opened the emergency exit door.”

Wrong, sure.  But, when you’re stuck in that sort of  “when will we get out of here?” limbo, don’t you sometimes think about doing exactly the same thing?

Tags: Airline safety, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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Maybe you remember the two giant murals by the Brazilian artist Carybé that used to be in the American Airlines terminal at JFK airport in New York.

At 16.5 X by 53 feet they were hard to miss.

The murals (below), titled Discovery and Settlement and Rejoicing and the Festivals of the Americas, were installed back in 1960. But when it came time to demolish and build a new American Airlines terminal, the site-specific murals were not part of the plan.

Happily, the murals have found a new home – at a different airport.

American Airlines donated the murals to the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department and Odebrecht, the Brazilian company building a new terminal at Miami International Airport (MIA), arranged to have the murals removed, restored, and transported to Miami.

This spring, when MIA’s new South Terminal opens, the murals will be on permanent display.

Can’t wait to see these for real!

Tags: Airport art, American Airlines, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Miami International Airport
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On this day, February 7, back in 1964 the world changed dramatically:

The Beatles, those adorable  moptops, came to New York.

(Photo: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)

The History.com newsletter describes the momentous day this way:

On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport–and “Beatlemania” arrives. It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” At Kennedy, the “Fab Four”–dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts–were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil.

Two days later, John, Paul, George and Ringo appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and, well, you probably know the rest.

How are you celebrating the day?  In my house, we’re having a Beatles festival!

Tags: Airport history, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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I love this story and now I love James Taylor (even more).

According to this story, officers (and I bet they’ll turn out to be fake officers – or soon-to-be unemployed officers) at JFK airport convinced a tourist to give her $140 iPod to a cab driver in lieu of payment for the $49 fare from Manhattan. The woman’s credit card had been declined by the cab’s reader.

After reading about the incident – and the fact that the young woman had lots of James Taylor songs loaded on her music player – the singer decided to buy her a new one.

Tags: Airport transportation, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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The list of stress-busting activities being offered at the nation’s airports this holiday season just keeps growing:

In addition to the entertainment being offered by airports around the country and the free amenities being offered by JetBlue Airways in its new terminal at JFK, on Nov. 25th and 26th, travelers passing through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can get free massages, free Wi-Fi, and free snacks.

The stress-reducing services are at the “privacy oasis” sponsored by 3M Computer Privacy Filters in the Airport Executive Conference Center on the 3rd floor of the Atrium. The company has also set up a Web site where travelers have been sending in tips about places to chill out at various airports around the country.

Given how close we sit next to each other on airplanes, computer privacy filters seem like a useful tool pretty much anytime. But as I wrote in a recent Well-Mannered Traveler column on MSNBC.com, privacy filters may become downright necessary as airlines roll out in-flight Wi-Fi. (Virgin America is launching its Gogo in-flight Internet service – on one plane – this Sat, Nov 22) Not all airlines plan to filter in-flight Internet service and some travelers are worried about being exposed to inappropriate material on a seatmate’s screen.

Tags: Airport amenities, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Free stuff, Guide to stress-free travel, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, In-flight Wi-Fi, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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If you’re passing through Terminal 7 (British Air and others) or Terminal 8 (American Airlines) at NY’s John F. Kennedy Airport in the next few weeks, be sure to check out the free services being offered at the Boingo Hotspot kiosks.

From now through November 20th and again from December 1- December 4th, the kiosks will be offering complimentary laptops usage, charging stations, and color printing. They’ll also be handing out Wi-Fi access passes for use at JFK and other airports.

(Hours: Mon, Tues: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m; Wed, Thurs: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m)

Tags: Airport amenities, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Wireless Internet
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I usually pass right over announcements about helicopter service from any city to any airport because the ticket prices seem so outrageous.

But today, perhaps because I’ve just written a column for USA TODAY about cheap excursions from airports, this notice caught my eye.

And while $45 is not cheap, an eight-minute helicopter ride between JFK airport and Manhattan can be a great thrill for not much more than a cab ride into the city. Although cab rides can have their own special, but different, thrills…

For a short time, economy class passengers flying on Delta Air Lines’ domestic flights to or from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport can take a helicopter between the airport and the city for $45. The regular fare is $159 and is complimentary year-round for eligible First class, Business Class or unrestricted Economy tickets. So $45 is a good deal for this service.

The reduced fare on US Helicopter is good for tickets purchased after Sept. 1 for travel through Oct. 31, 2008. The travel time is eight minutes between New York City Heliports in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and JFK. Flights operate 27 times a day.

Tags: Airport transportation, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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The New York Times has a great slideshow celebrating the earliest days of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Built on “six square miles of swampy sand, part of it the site of a once-fashionable golf course…” in its first few years the airport welcomed everyone from Gregory Peck and Pope Paul VI to, of course, the Beatles!’

(Photo: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)

There are more photos here – including Jimmy Durante and Sammy Davis Jr.

Tags: Airport history, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport
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Three new terminals and at least one fresh new airport are set to open in the United States this fall. With all the news about airlines cutting flights and eliminating service, let’s hope someone will get to enjoy these new facilities.

The new 26-gate North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) opens for business on September 17^th. Before airplanes start pulling up to the gates, the airport is hosting a free open house (Sept. 6^th) with music, dance, games, a scavenger hunt, and prizes that include “a plane load of gas in gas cards,” airline tickets, and a trip to Disney world. The day before that party (Sept 5) there will be a charity preview event inside the terminal to benefit five local non-profit groups. On tap: dinner, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Quartet and live entertainment.

(DTW North Terminal: courtesy DTW)

Opening elsewhere this fall:

Oct 1: JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK);

Oct 26: Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU); and

Nov 11, the new Indianapolis International Airport (IND), just down the road from the old one.

Tags: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, JFK Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, new terminal
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According to this Newsday story, pieces of the iconic red, white and sapphire-blue stained glass window by Robert Sowers that once greeted travelers in Terminal 8 at New York’s JFK airport are not up for sale.

Sad.

Tags: Airport art, JFK Airport, Uncategorized
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