Veterans Day

At The Airport: News from AUS, ROC, MDW, and more

Banksy Art on View at Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport

Airport or art gallery? We have to say both.

Five prints and a sculpture by the artist Bansky are on display in a gallery between Gates 11 and 9 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). If you’re headed that way, be sure to spend some time checking some of the other great temporary and permanent art exhibits in the terminals.

Airports Mark Veterans Day

Airports around the country are honoring our nation’s veterans this week. Here are a few examples.

Airports on Veterans Day

Veterans Day

Flying on Veterans Day?

Want to support veterans while you’re traveling?

HMSHost sent word that military veterans-turned chefs have created a special burger –the Pimento Cheeseburger – which is on the menu throughout November at more than 70 restaurants in dozens of airports.

The burger is topped with crunchy fried onions, pickle chips, lettuce and tomato; it is finished with pimento cheese and it is served on a brioche bun. 

Sound good?

Buy the burger during November 2019 and you’ll not only get a tasty meal but a portion of what you pay for that burger will go to Folds of Honor, which supports military families. 

Better yet, on Veterans Day, November 11, all active-duty and military vets with ID can order one of these special Pimento Cheeseburgers and have it for free at participating locations.

Participating burger locations include the Flying Dog Tap House at Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI); the Dallas Cowboys Club at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Soho Bistro at JFK Airport, the Rolling Stone Bar & Grill at LAX and a long list of other HMSHost airport restaurants.

NOT traveling on Veterans Day?

Don’t worry. HMSHost also offers a year-round military discount.

There is a 15% military discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at HMSHost locations throughout the United States.

The 15 percent discount is valid any day of the week for military members with valid identification at HMSHost-operated airport and travel plaza locations nationwide. 

While we’re talking veterans and airports

Be(e) aware that Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is home to the Bee Veterans Apiary, which is tended to by U.S. military veterans.

The Bee Veterans Apiary is a partnership with the University of Minnesota and the unique apiary is located on the west side of MSP airport.

The program is donor-funded and they’re trying to raise $15,000 to expand the program now.

The program offers beekeeping classes for veterans and is part of the airport’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability.

The public can’t visit the apiary right now, but honey from the hives is sold at Worker B at the nearby Mall of America, so you be a supporter of the effort.

USO for John Wayne Airport +Veteran’s Day at DFW

John-Wayne-Statue

On Monday, Nov 10 – just in time for Veteran’s Day – John Wayne Orange County Airport (JWA) celebrates the opening of a new USO Center.

Located in the Airport’s Terminal B, next to the baggage claim area on the Arrivals Level, the center will be staffed by volunteers and offer a canteen, movies, travel assistance and Wi-Fi. It will be open on a complimentary basis to active and reserve members and their dependents as well as military retirees on a space available basis.

USO JOHN WAYNE

The USO Center at John Wayne Airport will be operated by Bob Hope USO, which also operates the USO centers at LAX, Ontario International Airport and Palm Springs International Airport.  A listing of other airport (and other) USO Centers can be found here.

DFW Founders Plaza

On November 7, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport dedicated two new displays at the Founders Plaza airport observation area to honor the hundreds of local corporate, business and community organizations and the thousands of volunteers who took part in the “Welcome Home A Hero” program that greeted incoming troops at DFW from 2004 through 2012.

The new exhibits include a commemorative center detailing the accomplishments of the volunteer greeter program, expanded information about DFW Airport, and an fountain recreating the Airport’s “shower of affection” water cannon salutes over incoming aircraft.

Travel tidbits for airport shoppers

Zady_Pop up

A cute pop-up shop from eco-minded, ultra-hip on-line retailer Zady has opened in Delta’s Terminal D at New York’s LaGuardia International Airport and will stay open daily through January 4th.

Better yet: five percent of every sale benefits Zady’s non-profit partner, The Bootstrap Project (TBP), which supports traditional crafts and customs and sustainable economic development in communities around the world.

treat our troops

And on Monday, Veterans Day, keep in mind that in the Paradies shops at Philadelphia International Airport, including CNBC News (Terminal A-East through E) and Heritage Books (B/C Connector), you can purchase an item as a donation for troops overseas. Examples include non-perishable food and beverages, magazines and reading materials, travel-sized sundries, neck pillows and just-for-fun souvenirs or gifts. The shops will collect the passenger donations and deliver them to the USO in Terminal A.

Many of the Paradies-operated shops in airports in other cities participate in the program as well, so keep and eye open as you travel.

Flying phone calls, free B&B stay, and free ice-skating

Veterans Day

This is a truly great endeavor by some inns and B&Bs across the country.

On November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day (November 11th), more than 300 B&Bs and Inns in more than 40 states around the country will be offering a free night’s stay to active and retired U.S. military members.  Here’s the list of participating properties.

Each property is committing to offer at least one room, and many properties are already full. But the program is getting a lot of attention, so check back to see if other properties join the list.

Telephone

Here’s something sure to be controversial: Singapore Airlines has partnered with OnAir to offer passengers Wi-Fi Internet and mobile services – including the option to make and receive phone calls. The service will begin being rolled out in the first half of 2011.

What do you think?

Ice-skating gal

Get ready: winter is coming and for outdoor fans Southwest Airlines will be hosting free ice-skating in downtown Denver.

The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park will be next to the historic Daniels and Fisher Clocktower, right next to the recently opened Southwest Porch.

Free skating starts November 26th. You can bring your own skates or rent some there.