It should be the quiet days of the end-of-summer, but there’s plenty of news from airports and airlines. Here are some of the items still in our in box as Friday rolls around.
SEA Airport : new route and next big upgrade
The Stuck at the Airport headquarters is in Seattle, so we follow news from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) closely.
And this week, there’s lots of news.
Delta Air Lines already flies daily nonstops from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo-Haneda Airport (HND).
But starting in March 2027 the airline will add daily nonstop service to Tokyo-Narita International Airport (NRT).
Delta’s flights to Tokyo-Narita will be on A330-900 aircraft; flights to Haneda travel on Airbus A350-900 planes.
Meanwhile – Delta also just announced that it will launch service to Paris from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in March 2027 as well.
SEA’s S Gates getting a much-needed makeover
We’re still gushing over the Concourse C expansion project at SEA, which brought a boatload of new art, amenities, light and breathing room to a once-cramped space.
Now the Port of Seattle turns its attention to the S Concourse at SEA. Built in 1973 (!), the nicest amenities here right now are the vending machine stocked with Japanese treats and the fact that most international flights begin their journey here.
Initial funding for a $2.5 billion renovation of the S Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been approved. So, after a few years of construction, travelers will be rewarded with an extra 150,000 square feet filled with new dining and retail, a children’s play area and two new lounges.
Despite an uptick in international flights at SEA, no extra gates are planned for this next upgrade as there’s just not enough room to expand between the main terminal and the airfield.
Airport amenity of the week: Pickle Juice Shots at CLT Airport
During our recent residency at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) we noticed that some of the shops had lime green barrels filled with small containers of Mt. Olive Pickle Juicers.
We looked closer and discovered that this very popular pickle juice comes from the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, based in Mount Olive, North Carolina. And that these shot-sized bottles of kosher dill pickle brine are a super popular snack-shop item at the airport.
They are not only cute souvenirs, but they offer a quick, salty, electrolyte boost.
We tried one and, later, went back for more. And now declare pickle juice shots at CLT Airport the Airport Amenity of the Week.
Price: $4.99 for single. $9.99 for 3 pack.
