Dallas Love Field Airport

Art and Magic at SJC and DAL Airports

Artists: Humans Since 1982 Photographer: John Janca

Fresh art at Mineta San Jose International Airport

Take a look at this cool new permanent artwork installed at California’s Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Installed in the pre-security Arrivals Hall of Terminal B, A million Times (San José), by artists Humans since 1982, is made from 160 clock faces with white hands set against a black surface. The clock hands have been programmed to spin individually so the artwork sometimes shows the accurate time between performances of three different compositions.

Take a look.

Travelers who have had the chance to go through Terminal 2 at Singapore’s Changi Airport in the past will recognize this version of A million Times, which is made up of 504 clock-faces.

MAGIC SHOW AT DALLAS LOVE FIELD

Who says all the magic has gone out of travel?

On Tuesday (September 21, 2021) Dallas Love Field (DAL) hosted a live magic show for travelers and airport employees.

The 45-minute show by magicians Dal and Cinde Sanders included magic and illusion including, card magic, mind-reading, floating tables, and giant balloon dogs. We’re nominating this for Airport Amenity of the Week.

What do you think?

Travel Tidbits from airports Here and There

Some tidbits from museums – and musicians – from around the world to get your week started.

Flashy Fashion Photos at John Wayne Airport

A new exhibit in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport features photography by Kurt Weston.

The images are inspired by the glamourous window displays of Orange County’s Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza shopping centers. Look Weston’s work through June 17, 2021 pre-security near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4.

Podcasts from Dallas Love Field

A while back we gathered up a list of some of the podcasts being offered by airports around the country, including Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and some others.

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) has a live broadcast show and podcast titled “Lead with Love,” that continues on June 1 with a 30-minute format of conversations between an eclectic matchup of local citizens “discussing ways that strong leadership, respect of diversity, and inclusion, and celebration of local culture make a difference in the community.”

The shows air live at 12:30 p.m. (Central) and on Love Field’s social media: FacebookYouTube, and Pandora. After each episode airs, the recorded podcast is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify and iHeartRadio.

Here’s the intriguing line-up:

June 1  James Faust, Artistic Director, Dallas Film Society and Dallas International Film Festival, and Barak Epstein, Owner of Aviation Cinema, which operates the Texas Theater, and Co-Founder of the Oak Cliff Film Festival

June 15  Kevin Sherrington, Sports Columnist, The Dallas Morning News, and John Wooten, former NFL player,  one of the first Black football players at University of Colorado, and co-founder of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation. 

June 29 Anthony Hill, Head of Regional Partnerships, UberEats, and Podcast Host of “Legacy is More” and Sterling Melville, Senior Strategy Manager at Pepsico and President of The Melville Family Foundation

July 13 Veletta Lill, Former Executive Director, Dallas Arts District

July 27  Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent, Dallas ISD

August 10 Sheri Crosby Wheeler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Fossil Group, Inc. 

August 24  Randall White, Founder, 24HourDallas, and Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, Chief of Economic Development & Neighborhood Services, City of Dallas

September 7  Jason Roberts, Founder of Better Block, Founder, Better Block, Urban Planner, Restaurateur, Civic Activist.

Airports in Phoenix, Dallas & Indianapolis at top of J.D. Power list

Airline passenger numbers are way down. Many airports still feeling sort of empty, with many shops and restaurants closed or operating on reduced schedules. And buying a plane ticket right now comes with a lot of “what ifs” and few perks.

So, it is an interesting time to a look at the findings of J.D. Power’s 2020 North American Airport Satisfaction Study.

First, the “winners”

The survey put airports up against each other in three categories: “mega” airports with 33 million or more passengers per year; large airports with 10 to 32.9 million passengers per year; and medium airports with 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year.

The airports are scored on a 1,000 point scale that takes into account passenger satisfaction with factors that include terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail, in order of importance.

Mega airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport ranks highest with a score of 805. Miami International Airport (801) ranks second and McCarran International Airport (797) ranks third.

Large airports: Dallas Love Field ranks highest with a score of 844. John Wayne Airport, Orange County (837) and Tampa International Airport (837) rank second, in a tie.

Medium airports: Indianapolis International Airport ranks highest with a score of 866. Palm Beach International Airport (833) ranks second and Southwest Florida International Airport (829) ranks third.

What influences this year’s rankings?

As with everything else right now, the coronavirus pandemic has put a twist into this year’s airport satisfaction rankings.  

The overall customer satisfaction score for North American airports is up this year, to a record-high 784, which is 22 points up from 2019.

Good news, right? Sort of.

“Compared to the pre-COVID-19 environment when most airports were running significantly over capacity, the lack of crowds and long lines is actually creating a convenient experience for travelers right now,” says Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power, in the study notes.

 “Obviously, this lower passenger volume is not sustainable for most airports. Airport managers are doing all they can to provide a safe and clean environment to facilitate a rebound in travel,” he adds.

Here are top five airports in each category. You can see the full rankings here.

Mega Airports

  1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (805)
  2. Miami International Airport (801)
  3. McCarran International Airport (797)
  4. Denver International Airport (793)
  5. John F. Kennedy International Airport (793)

Large Airports

  1. Dallas Love Field (844)
  2. John Wayne Airport, Orange County (837)
  3. Tampa International Airport (837)
  4. William P. Hobby Airport (823)
  5. Portland International Airport (814)

Medium Airports

  1. Indianapolis International Airport (866)
  2. Palm Beach International Airport (833)
  3. Southwest Florida International Airport (829)
  4. Albuquerque International Sunport (826)
  5. Pittsburgh International Airport (826)

What about the airports at the bottom of each list?

In the mega category, Newark Liberty International Airport was at the bottom of the list, with a score of 733, just below Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which had a score of 758.

Among large airports, New York’s LaGuardia Airport (in the middle of a much-heralded make-over) ranked lowest, with a score of 712.

And for medium airports, Hawaii’s Kahului Airport was at the bottom of the list, with a 745 score.

Free recipes, a flower class & audio-visual art from DEN, DAL and SAN Airports

We may not be flying much, or at all, right now but airports are still doing their thing with music, art, and tasty food and drink.

We appreciate that. And we’re paying attention.

Denver International Airport (DEN) has launched the Taste of DEN series offering recipes from the chefs at popular restaurants at the airport.

In the first episode, Tom’s Urban Kitchen & Brewery Chef Robert Garton cookes up a Prime Rib Dip Sandwich. A video from DEN’s Root Down Kitchen is promised next.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Hortencia and Rachel from the art and programming team at Dallas Love Field (DAL) Airport were kind enough to put together a video showing us how to make traditional paper flowers.

And the San Diego International Airport (SAN) Arts Program has a new artist in residence for Fall 2020.

Throughout her Performing Arts Residency at SAN Margaret Noble is offering a series of downloadable audio-visual works as part of her [Sky][Muse] collection.

The first set is called ‘Compass’ and includes two ‘experiences:’

One has interactive visual music; the other a ‘silent graphical score.’

DAL: 5 Things We Love About Dallas Love Field Airport

The “5 Things We Love About…” series marches on. Even though we are forced to stay on the ground and close to home.

So today we are celebrating some of the features and amenities we love at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL).

Keep in mind that some of the things we love at DAL airport may be temporarily closed due to health concerns. But we are confident they will be back.

If we miss one of the features you love about Dallas Love Field Airport, please drop a note in the comments section below.

And be sure to take a look at some of the other airports on the “5 Things We Love About…” list. The series will continue as long as there are airports to visit. There are a lot of airports, so we will just keep this occasional feature going here on StuckatTheAirport.com

5 Things We Love About Dallas Love Field Airport

1. Live at Love Stage

The Live at Love Stage at DAL airport presents daily, lunchtime musical performances by local artists. The music is piped throughout the terminal, so you can still enjoy the music at your gate, in a restaurant or a shop.

2. The Love Field Art Program

Love Field has a robust art program, with both permanent artwork and changing exhibitions to enjoy both before and after security. You can even join an airport art tour.

3. The LBJ Plaque

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office as President aboard Air Force One as it sat parked on the ramp at Dallas Love Field.

Johnson is the only President sworn-in west of the Mississippi River and an exhibit at the Love Field Observation Deck recognizes the event with a plaque and a presidential seal on loan from Amy & Farris Rookstool, III

At night, a light illuminates another plaque out on the aircraft apron that shows the exact location of Air Force One at the swearing-in.

Here’s a note from Mr. Rookstool:

 “I spent 11 years working on honoring this Presidential History at Dallas Love Field. As a child I was at DAL on November 22, 1963. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined that I would be the historian responsible for marking this historic site at the airport. The LBJ inauguration was the first and only time a President has ever been sworn in aboard and aircraft (Air Force One) at an airport.

4. Lil’ Love Lounge at Love Field

The children’s play area at Dallas Love Field Airport was a popular spot before it had to temporarily close due to COVID-19 health concerns. DAL officials promise it is coming back with a fresh new theme.

5. The Souvenirs at DAL Airport

Here at StuckatTheAirport.com, we’re a big fan of quirky, locally-themed souvenirs. The shops at Dallas Love Field Airport offer plenty of options.

Did we miss one of your favorite amenities at Dallas Love Field Airport? Let us know in the comments section below.

What airport should we feature next?