Auckland Airport

Airports named for aviation pioneers: Auckland Airport

My “At the Airport” column on USAToday.com last week was all about airports and airport terminals in the United States named for aviation pioneers.  You can see that story and photos from many of those airports here, on StuckatTheAirport.com.

There was, of course, not enough room to list all the U.S. airports with links to aviation history, nor to mention some notable international ones, such as the International Terminal at Auckland Airport, which is named for New Zealand aviatrix Jean Gardner Batten (1909-1982).

BattenAucklandAirport

In the 1930s, Batten became well-known for taking a number of record-breaking solo flights across the world, including the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand in 1936.

Her Percival Gull airplane is on display in the terminal.

BATTEN AIRPLANE

Souvenir Sunday: More great stuff from Auckland Airport

Happy Souvenir Sunday!  (Hope you didn’t eat too much Halloween candy last night..)

Halloween cat

Every Sunday at Stuck at the Airport is Souvenir Sunday, when we take a look at some of the fun things you can buy at airports.  The rules: items must be under $10, “of” the city or region, and somewhat offbeat.

Last week, I shared some of the items I found at New Zealand’s Auckland Airport.

This week: more souvenirs from Auckland Airport.

Why? Well, it’s partly because I found so much great stuff there.

Also, to be honest, I finally finished unpacking and forgot that I’d bought these fun souvenirs too!

Auckland tiki soap

Tiki soap from the Auckland Airport

Auckland magnets

Cool, colorful magnets – from a set of a dozen I’m kicking myself for not buying….

Have you found something fun and offbeat for sale at an airport? If so, snap a photo and send it along. It may turn up someday on Souvenir Sunday.

Souvenir Sunday one

Souvenir Sunday: Kiwi treats from Auckland Airport

Every Sunday at the Stuck at the Airport travel blog is Souvenir Sunday, when we feature fun, under $10 items found in airport souvenir shops.

Souvenir Sunday one

This week: a few treats from New Zealand’s Auckland Airport, which I toured after covering Air New Zealand’s matchmaking flight for my Well Mannered Traveler column on MSNBC.com. (Yes; a matchmaking flight. Not the world’s first matchmaking flight, but definitely the world’s longest.)  You can read From L.A. to Auckland, love is in the air here, and add your vote to the survey about looking for love on an airplane.

But back to Souvenir Sunday. I found heaps of things I wanted to buy at the airport’s Artport shop, which carries Maori carvings and all sorts of fun craft items, like these upholstered “Past Pleasures” plaques, made by New Zealand artists.

Auckland doll

But for Souvenir Sunday, Tiki-shaped soaps and and these cute-but-corny candies struck my “made here and under $10” fancy.

Auckland - Chocolate KiwisAir New Zealand - Kiwi Tangy Jelly worms

Have you found a great souvenir while you’ve been stuck at the airport? If it’s under $10, “of” the city, and sort of offbeat, please take a picture and send it along. Your souvenir may be featured on a future edition of Souvenir Sunday.