Airport Terminals

Dolly Parton Int’l Airport + more travel tidbits from airports near you

Airport Terminals,

There’s a Change.org petition underway to change the name of Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Dolly Parton International Airport.

The petition calls Parton a “national treasure” and a Tennessee legend and points out that Dolly Parton is not only a celebrated artist “who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music,” but she is also a philanthropist “known for her countless contributions to society.”

Therefore, the petition reasons, “it is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman.”

If the petition succeeds, the organizers point out, “We could all be Departin’ from Parton.”

 

 

More – much more – live music at Long Beach Airport

Long Beach Airport (LGB), which has proclaimed itself “America’s coolest airport,” is getting cooler.

The airport’s LGB Live! music series is expanding from 40 to more than 160 live performances a year.

The expanded LGB Live! program kicks off Thursday, March 27, with a performance by Acoustic Soul Express and will feature performances from professional artists and acclaimed youth performers.

LGB Live! performers are vetted and paid. Performances are typically held post-security for ticketed travelers from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, with additional shows during busy travel seasons. Exact showtimes, along with information about bonus pre-security performances can be found on LGB Live!

Happy 30th birthday, Denver International Airport

Airport Terminals,

Thirty years ago, on February 28, 1995, the future staff of StuckatTheAirport.com was having a hard time leaving Denver’s Stapleton International Airport.

It wasn’t that we loved that airport so much.

It was because operations were switching over from Stapleton to the brand new Denver International Airport (DEN) facilities, 19 miles down the road. And, as workers were, literally, rolling up the rugs and stacking up furniture, computers were shutting down and flights were getting later and later.

Those of us who received food vouchers for our delayed flights were having a hard time spending them at the one concession still open that was selling soda and juices for $10 a pop.

Eventually, our flight took off and Denver International Airport (DEN) opened for business.

The airport, which is now the 3rd busiest airport in the country, celebrated its 30th birthday on February 28 and shared some great images, an informative timeline plus a cool timelapse video of the airport’s impressive growth over the years.

Take a look. And let us know your favorite amenities, and if you’ve encountered any aliens from other planets, at Denver International Airport.

Travel Tidbits from Airports Near You

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Winning snowplow names at Bradley Int’l Airport

A second-grade class and a fourth-grade class from Windsor Locks, Connecticut, chose the winning names for two new snowplows at Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport.

The winning names: Snowbelle and Blizzard Wizard.

The story of how Salt Lake City International Airport saved its World Map

This is a great story of the heroic effort to save an iconic world map at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) first installed in the 1960s.

When the new terminal was being built, the map was removed and word was that it was too complicated to save it and that the map wasn’t coming back.

But it did!

Do you have a vintage photo of standing on SLC’s World Map? Please share it.

Travel Tidbits from Airports Near You

Airport Terminals, , ,

A lot is happening at airports around the country this week. Here’s a round-up of some of what we’ve spotted so far.

First – see if you can catch this deal:

Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY is offering flights from the U.S. to Iceland for $99 and to London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Paris for $109 from October 24 through 31. Book it here.

This deal is valid for flights booked from November 2024 through January 2025.

Trick-or-Treat at the airport? That could be fun.

In some cities, they do safe trick-or-treating events at the mall. But in Canton, Ohio, kids will head to the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) on Halloween.

Greeting card vending machine at OAK

The Stuck at the Airport shopping team loves creative airport vending machines. Here’s a new one at OAK airport that dispenses greeting cards.

SLC Airport still celebrating Phase 3 opening

We can’t wait to visit Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to see the new art at amenities that opened as part of the Phase 3 redevelopment.

Fresh art at Bush Intercontinental Airport

And this week Bush Interncontinal Airport (IAH) opened a lovely Terminal D West Pier.

Central Tunnel – and more – lands at Salt Lake City International Airport

Airport Terminals

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) unveiled Phase 3 of its SLC Redevelopment Program, which includes the Central Tunnel, Concourse B Plaza, 12 concessions, 5 Delta Air Lines gates and new art and history installations.

Central Tunnel

The key new element is the Central Tunnel connecting A and B Concourses featuring a large-scale art installation by Artist Gordon Huether titled “The River Tunnel.”

This art installation reflects the rivers that flow through the state’s mountains and canyons. Huether even provides a Spotify playlist with more than 100 songs for the artwork.

As passengers exit The River Tunnel, they enter the Concourse B Plaza where there is an extension of The Canyon and the Northern Light oculus art installations by Huether.

Northern Light weighs 3.1 tons and is fabricated from 500 glass rods and 300 dichroic glass panels.

World Map returns

The Concourse B Plaza is now home to The World Map that once graced the floor of Terminal 1 in the original airport.

The World Map was created by Dallas stoneworker Julius Bartoli based on drawings by Ashton, Evans & Brazier and installed in Terminal 1 in 1960.

And a dinosaur!

A secret until opening day, SLC has made space for “Ally the Dinosaur,” a gift from the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU).

The replica fossil skeleton of Allosaurus fragilis—Utah’s state fossil—is the quintessential Late Jurassic carnivorous dinosaur. The giant animal roamed Utah’s landscapes 150 million years ago and is now one of the most popular dinosaurs worldwide.

New Concessions

This new phase at SLC includes a dozen new concessions as well.

Dining options include Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen; Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers; Maggiano’s Little Italy; Sunday’s Best; The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; and Thirst.

Shops include Cotopaxi; iStore Express; Relay; Travel Right; The Canyon; and Weller Book Works.

The River Tunnel is NOT filled with water

Contrary to what the airport announced on April 1 (April Fools Day), the tunnel is not filled with water.

And it does not have Disney-type boats instead of moving walkways with paddles provided to passengers who want to row their boats.

Though that would be fun…