Fun Stuff

Denver Int’l Airport’s open-air plaza reactivated

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Here’s a great sign that airports are coming back to life just in time for summer travel.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is reactivating the open-air public plaza between the main Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel.

Over the years, the plaza has hosted everything from outdoor movies and skating rinks to a beer garden, a concert space, and a miniature golf course.

The pandemic put a halt to that. But now the plaza is once again being used to offer a relaxing outdoor space where travelers and locals can get some fresh air and relax before, after, or between flights.

As we head into the busy travel season, DEN has once again turned the plaza into an outdoor oasis offering lounge seating, grass-like turf, native plants, and trees.

Entertainment options include live jazz performances, cornhole, and, soon, free miniature golf.

On select Fridays from 3-6 pm, the Jazz on the Park series will present a variety of local jazz bands in the plaza. Here’s the schedule:

·       June 3, Danny Showers Trio

·       June 17, Tenia Nelson Trio

·       July 1, Danny Showers Band- “A Salute to America”

·       July 15, Tenia Nelson

·       Aug. 12, Danny Showers Trio

·       Aug. 26, Paul Trunko and Steff Kull

A free nine-hole miniature golf course will open daily from June 17 through July 17. The hours will be from 10 am to 7 pm.

No question about it, this is definitely the Airport Amenity of the Week.

(Old) Airport Terminal or Skateboard Video Game?

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We were delighted when celebrity skateboarders and skateboard crews from across the country rolled into the old terminal facilities – and even onto the tarmac – at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) for Red Bull’s second Terminal Takeover.

It’s a creative use of the empty space. And, along with film shoots, a good way for the airport to earn income from the space while plans formalize for full-time, long-term use of the building.

Jake Wooten performs a backside 360 at Red Bull Terminal Takeover

Now, some of the videos from the skateboard take-over are being shared.

And it turns out that in addition to the crew competitions, the old airport terminal was also the backdrop for a real-life video game.

Airlines, airports mark May the Fourth

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If you are flying across the country, or to a galaxy far, far away, on Alaska Airlines on Wednesday, May 4th, be sure to wear your favorite Star Wars clothing.

Alaska Airlines also just showed off a new Star Wars/Disneyland livery.

We know other airlines and many airports also celebrate May the Fourth, so check back here for additions throughout the day. And let us know what we’ve missed.

Here is one of our favorites from last year’s May the Fourth airport celebrations

Travel Tidbits from Airports Near You

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Jonathan Mehring / Red Bull Content Pool

Earlier this month, celebrity skateboarders and skateboard crews from across the country rolled into the old terminal facilities – and even onto the tarmac – at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. They were there for Red Bull’s second Terminal Takeover.

Here is a short video of pro skateboarder Jake Wooten showing off his skills – and the airport terminal transformation – from last year’s event. And below, a link to a story we prepared for The Points Guy site.

Celebrate Museum Month – at the airport

Many airports around the country have official museums and museum programs. Stuck at the Airport will highlight as many as we can. But Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport gave us a head start.

Recognize any of these stuffed animals?

Spotted at Charles M Schulz – Sonoma County Airport

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This week we spent some time at Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS), which is named to honor the “Peanuts” comic strip cartoonist who lived in Sonoma County for many years.

Not only is the airport named for Schulz, but there are also statues of two “Peanuts” characters, “Flying Ace” Snoopy and Lucy, in the terminal.

Health issues are still a concern for travelers. So this great locally-themed social distance sticker reminds passengers on the security checkpoint line to keep two wine barrels apart.

Airport jokes & other travel tidbits

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Monday was National Tell a Joke Day and a few airports around the country shared some funny bits via Twitter. If we missed yours, please let us know and we’ll add it in.

We also spotted this colorful tweet from Pittsburgh International Airport, a fun Monday verse from Tampa International Airport, and a quick art tour from the SFO Museum at San Francisco International Airport.

And take a look at this great agricultural exhibit at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) in California. The exhibit tells the story of the area’s agricultural heritage with photos, informational panels, and exhibit cases. As a nice bonus, the airport is offering free parking validation to those who want to just stop by and see the exhibit.

Message from a former airport

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Berlin Freedom Dinner 2021

Here’s a fun thing to do with an old airport.

Germany’s Berlin Tegel “Otto Lilienthal” Airport (TXL) Tegal Airport officially closed in November 2020 when operations moved over to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).

The buildings and grounds of Tegel Airport are being turned into an industrial and research park called the Urban Tech Republic. But last week the former airport grounds played host to a special event on the runway.

As part of the giant picnic event, 1,018 dinner tables were laid out so that, when viewed from the air, they spelled out the words “Berlin loves you” – with a large bonus heart.

Berlin’s mayor said the event was designed to send out the message that the city is open for business, meetings, and events after the pandemic. The Visit Berlin tourism agency said the event was an invitation to the world to visit the city again.

*Photos courtesy Visit Berlin

Roller skating at JFK Airport? Yup, at the TWA Hotel

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Air travel is back on, but what about fun activities at airports?

That’s back on too. At least at New York’s JFK Airport, where the TWA Hotel adjacent to Terminal 5 is operating a summer roller rink next to the hotel’s 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie” airplane.

A 50-minute skating session costs $20 per adult and $16 for kids 12 and includes the skate rentals, although you can bring your own. Helmets are available for rent. The rink is cleaned between each session.

Sound like something you want to do? The TWA Hotel’s Roll-A-Rama ( great name, right?) is open Fridays from 4 PM to 8 PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 8 PM.  Tickets are on a first come, first served basis and capacity may be limited.

To help you get in the mood, here are some ‘by the numbers’ factoids about roller skating put together by the TWA Hotel.

Did you celebrate National Lost Sock Day?

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Sunday was not only Mother’s Day, it was National Lost Sock Day. So today we gathered up some of the images we’ve been collecting of socks with airport themes.

Some of these you can order online to add to your wardrobe. Others are special edition socks that may be only available as promotions.

If your airport has its own set of socks, let us know and we’ll add them to the list.

These socks were designed by Luly Yang, the Seattle-based designer who created the uniform line for Alaska Airlines. The Alaska Airlines Company Store site currently lists these as not available, though.

The socks below were issued by Orlando International Airport (MCO) and include a pair that represent the airport carpet. Keep an eye out on social media as these are sometimes used as prizes.

We don’t know the status of these socks from CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, but do know these sock from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are currently sold out.

These socks celebrate the (replaced) iconic carpet at Portland International Airport (PDX) and are likely still for sale at the airport branch of the Made in Oregon store.

Skateboarders takeover the old New Orleans Airport

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We’re filing this under: Cool Things To Do With Old Airport Terminals

Courtesy Sophia Germer, NOLA.com

It was pretty exciting when Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) opened its brand new terminal in November 2019.

But what about the old terminal? It hasn’t been torn or repurposed for anything permanent just yet. Which made the empty main hall, gate halls, and baggage carousels perfect backdrops recently for a thrilling Red Bull Terminal Takeover by daring skateboarders.

(Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com,)

The New Orleans Advocate shared some great photos of the event as well as the video below.