chocolate hearts

Valentine’s Day – at the airport

Charles Lindbergh-themed Valentine

Who says airports aren’t romantic?

Pretty much everyone.

But this year many airports and several airlines are getting all dolled up and offering treats, entertainment and some surprises to sweeten up Valentine’s Day for travelers and their sweethearts.

Here’s a round-up of some of what’s in store:

DELTA

On Thursday, Delta Air Lines transcontinental passengers in both economy and BusinessElite traveling between New York’s JFK and Los Angeles (LAX) or JFK and San Francisco (SFO) airports will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling rosé and Ghirardelli chocolates. On Southwest Airlines all passengers 21 and older are eligible to receive one complimentary alcoholic beverage of their choice during each Valentine’s Day flight.

PHL, Valentine Origami Demonstration

On the ground, Valentine-themed origami paper folding demonstrations are scheduled at Philadelphia International Airport on Valentine’s Day. Passengers may fold a heart during two live demonstrations, pick up paper and folding directions and fold a heart later or take a pre-made red or pink folded paper heart. Demonstrations will take place from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 pm at the Performing Arts Stage between Terminals B and C.

The Aveda Store at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (in the Airport Mall, across from checkpoint 2) is offering Valentine’s Day travelers complimentary seated neck, shoulder and back-stress relieving rituals, hair consultations and hosting a “best kiss” contest. After a complimentary lip touch-up, guests may leave a kiss imprint on a card. The customer with the best “kiss” gets a prize.

Everyone wins on Valentine’s Day at Miami International Airport during parties being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. pre-security in Terminal and from 2 to 5 p.m. post-security in Terminal D. In addition to DJ music, stilt-walkers will pass out chocolate roses and there will be games and prizes, craft tables for making valentines and a heart-shaped background for striking a Valentine’s Day pose.

LGA VDAY CHOCOLATE

At Jacksonville International Airport in Florida, volunteer airport ambassadors will continue their Valentine’s Day tradition of handing out about 1,500 colorful carnations to passengers and, at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, “Cupid” will be roaming Terminal B (through February 15th) handing out vouchers for free chocolate hearts. (The vouchers are also available in the Terminal B shops.)

Many airport shops will have special Valentine’s Day discounts and deals and tables piled high with romantic, pre-wrapped, grab-n-go gifts. At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), the specials include Valentine’s Day cookies from the Paradise Bakery and, at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, Amy’s Ice Creams will have fresh, chocolate-covered strawberries available for purchase at its post-security shop and, for last minute shoppers, in the baggage claim area.

Plenty of Valentine’s Day entertainment is also on tap.

Early birds in Texas are invited to the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport for a Valentine’s Day Breakfast at 6 a.m. to celebrate American Airlines addition of a new flight to DFW airport. On the menu: breakfast tacos and heart-shaped cookies.

In Ohio, Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) will be holding a Passenger Appreciation Day on Valentine’s Day with live music, fresh popcorn, a kid’s activity table, Valentine’s Day pencils, stickers and old-fashioned stick candy.

On Valentine’s Day, Billy Gaines will be singing love ballads at the Concourse C food court stage at Nashville International Airport and in Nova Scotia, Canada, chocolate hearts will be handed out while an Elvis impersonator serenades passengers and visitors at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

(My story about Valentine’s Day at airports and on airlines first appeared on the MSN Traveler Blog.