Philadelphia International Airport

Happy 25th Anniversary to PHL’s Art Program

 Congratulations to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and Director of Guest Experience/art program curator Leah Douglas, on the 25th anniversary of the airport’s award-winning Airport Exhibitions Program.

Since 1998, local artists and arts organizations have filled PHL’s terminals with more than 500 unique exhibitions.

“PHL has a unique opportunity with its global audience to promote Philadelphia’s unique treasures to the world – its arts, culture, and history,” said Douglas. During the 25 years of the program, Douglas has drawn on the talents of local artists, the region’s cultural and creative organizations, and the holdings of the city’s museums to keep the art exhibits at PHL airport fresh, inviting, and inspiring.

Some of our favorite exhibitions include the Bottle Clock and the time PHL invited local people to display their special collections.

Beer Bottle Clock

PHL offers 32 exhibitions annually in 16 locations throughout the airport and has four locations where the artwork remains on view long-term. There are also live artist demonstrations.

So if you’re passing through PHL airport, don’t just sit at your gate, go see some art.

For a bit of encouragement, check out the “PHL HeART Scavenger Hunt Challenge” developed by Eric Dale. Twenty-five hearts made by local street artist Amberella are hidden throughout Terminals A-East and A-West. Guests finding 10 or more by following clues on QR codes can win prizes.

PHL Airport Celebrates the Philly Cheesesteak

Friday, March 24, is National Cheesesteak Day. And Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is celebrating with a weeklong tribute of specials and giveaways.

Through March 24, the promo code “CHZSTK23” offers $3 off a cheesesteak or cheesesteak-inspired menu item from participating locations at OrderAtPHL.com.

Then on National Cheesesteak Day, Friday, March 24, PHL travelers will be treated to free cheesesteak samples from Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Jack Duggan’s Pub & Restaurant and Passyunk Steaks. Samples of Pepsi Zero Sugar, prizes, and other surprises are also on the menu.

The “Finale Celebration” will be hosted by Lauren Rei with Wooder Ice and a live DJ from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the stage between terminals B and C.

Enter the Cheesesteak Sweepstakes

In or out of the airport, cheesesteak fans should enter the Pepsi and cheesesteak sweepstakes by March 24.

The prize is, you guessed it, cheesesteaks and Pepsi Zero Sugar for a year delivered in the form of $7,300 worth of gift cards.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Airport

Love really is in the air at many airports this Valentine’s Day.

We’ve been gathering news of the events and Valentine’s Day offerings at airports, including the pop-up marriage license bureau at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and the carnations and hand-cut felt hearts Philadephia International Airport (PHL) is handing out.

Here are some more events to look for at US airports:

Free Love Poems at Long Beach Airport

Courtesy LGB Airport

On Valentine’s Day, travelers at California’s Long Beach Airport (LGB) will be able to get free custom-crafted love poems while they wait.

Current West Hollywood City Poet Laureate, Brian Sonia-Wallace will be in the airport between 5 pm and 7 pm with an antique Remington typewriter. He’ll commemorate individual travelers’ love stories with poems created and typed out on the spot.

A second typewriter will be available if passengers want to type their own poems or messages.

Free Flowers at Jacksonville International Airport

As they have since 2009, with a pandemic pause, Airport Ambassadors at Florida’s Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) will be handing out more than 1,000 red, white, and pink carnations to travelers and airport visitors on Valentine’s Day.

More Valentine’s Day Offers at Airports

Between 10 am and 12 pm on Valentine’s Day, Orlando International Airport (MCO) will be hosting a special Paw-Pup snuggle booth staffed by several of the therapy pups from the MCO Paw Pilots program. Look for the booth by the airport’s atrium fountain.

Be among the first to show up you may be one of the lucky dogs who wins a pair of Paw Pilots socks modeled by the pup in the photo.

Need some Valentines? San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) and John Glen Columbus International Airport (CMH) have you covered. And Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is offering a Valentine discount code (good through 2/19/23) for 25% off mobile orders at LAXOrderNow.com.

Airport Valentines + Miniature Airplanes + More

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and airports and airlines are getting to land some love.

In Las Vegas, the pop-up marriage license bureau is back at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to help streamline the uptick in weddings that take place in Sin City around Valentine’s Day.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will once again be handing out hundreds of red, pink, and white carnations to passengers on Valentine’s Day. Look for the PHL Volunteer Navigator team starting at 10 am in Terminal AEast and F.

At PHL, Philadelphia artist Carole Loeffler will also be onsite Valentine’s Day handing out hundreds of her hand-cut red felt hearts bearing rolled messages of love. Her HeartFelt giveaways will occur from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, across from the food court located between Terminals B and C.

Big Flying Things Made Very Small in Seattle

Seattle’s Museum of Flight will be hosting one of the world’s largest displays of model planes, cars, tanks, ships, figures, sci-fi, and more during the 2023 NorthWest Scale Modelers Show on Feb. 18-19. Special exhibits include models celebrating Black History Month and the animated world of Gundam.

The event is all weekend and is free with admission to the Museum.

Plenty of Super Bowl Swag at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport

And if you’re headed to the Big Game in person, it looks like you’ll have no problem finding swag to show your support for your favorite team.

DEN’s ELF, PHL’s Pottery Bike & More Airport Fun

Some airports around the country are going all out to celebrate the holidays this year and entertain travelers. Here are some of the fun celebrations we’ve spotted.

More to come. Let us know what we missed.

Denver Int’l Airport’s Purple Elf

Pottery Bike Landing at Philadelphia Int’l Airport

If you’re at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on Friday, December 16, between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm make your way to the spot between Terminals B and C across from the food court.

PHL Airport will be teaming up with The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, for the second visit of Pottery Unplugged–a people-powered pottery bike.

Passengers and employees will be able to try to throw their own clay vessel or just watch and see how it’s done. The twist here is that the pottery wheel is powered by a bicycle.

“At PHL, we always strive to represent what Philly has to offer artistically and culturally,” says Leah Douglas, PHL’s Director of Guest Experience. “Pottery Unplugged certainly accomplishes that through its creative ingenuity.”

Festive Decor at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Christmas Miracle at SEA Airport

The pandemic put the renovations in the Central Terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) years behind schedule. But just in time for the holidays, the airport has finally opened Salty’s – a welcome sit-down restaurant with great airfield views – and a beer & wine garden.

Now if only the reindeer would return to the airport light rail station…