Pottery spinning in PHL Airport; Pigs flying from STL Airport

PHL re-ZOOMs artist demo series

Stuck at the Airport is a big fan of the live music, art, and performance programs offered by airports around the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to much of that great in-terminal entertainment over the past six months.

But as the holidays roll around and travelers return, cautiously, to the skies, some airports are getting creative about bringing back live art and music.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), artist demonstrations are back via Zoom.

In the debut program, local ceramic artist Ruth Easterbrook was in her studio for a pottery demonstration Zoomed into the airport.

During the virtual demo, Easterbrook chatted with passengers about how to throw pottery on the wheel, answered questions, and took suggestions from the in-terminal audience about what to make next: a mug, plate, or pitcher.

And, of course, she also posed with passengers for selfies.

PHL promises more visual arts demonstrations over the holidays. So this may be the next big airport thing.

At STL Airport, pigs fly

Passengers may be staying home but cargo is still flying. And that is helping save the bacon for many airports.

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), for example, cargo operations are climbing, with livestock now added to the mix.

STL reports that this week approximately 200 breeding pigs set out from the airport for Viracopos International Airport located near Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Their ride: a Boeing 747-400F.

STL is working with multiple operators throughout the Midwest to use its USDA-approtved Export Inspection Facility as an option to ship livestock. And more shipments are being discussed for early 2021.     

So, yes, in this crazy 2020 pigs do fly.

Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.