If, like us, you’ll be traveling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, be sure to watch out for elves, Santas of all stripes, and lots of other travelers hoping to get where they need to go for the holiday.
If you need a few extra gifts, keep in mind too that lots of airport shops open early and close late – even on Christmas Day – and many have some pretty cool gifts all wrapped and ready to go.
What an afternoon in Las Vegas! A special thank you to every passenger who helped us reach the incredible 50 million milestone this year! 🎉✈️#NonstopVegashttps://t.co/FqXY9wPzym
Allegiant flight #91 from San Antonio, Texas was chosen as the ceremonial flight commemorating this milestone. And to mark the event, LAS airport went out all for the celebration.
Upon arrival at the gate, passengers were treated to a true Las Vegas VIP welcome including a water cannon salute, gift bags and showgirls.
Passengers from the flight were then escorted to the Terminal 1 Baggage Claim. The entertainment there included Viva Las Vegas dancing showgirls, the Raiders organization and the Vegas Golden Knights in-arena crew.
Even better: one lucky passenger won the jackpot when she was chosen as the honorary 50 millionth passenger. In addition to the celebratory activities of the afternoon, she received a bonus Las Vegas themed prize pack.
Thursday morning StuckatTheAirport.com shared holiday travel tips with the Weather Channel hosts.
We talked about the Santa Paws event at Los Angeles International Airport. We alerted travelers to the reindeers and the holiday parades at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. And we shared details about the free ice-skating at Denver International Airport.
Shortly after the show appearance, we received a note from a new fan. He suggested we make Nick Lowe’s song, “Christmas at the airport,” our official song for this time of year.
First, Scuba Claus stopped by to visit the fish in the airport’s aquarium.
Soak up the season! Scuba Clause from @vanaqua is here to feed the fishies. If you are post-security in the International Departures terminal, make sure you pop by and say hello 👋 pic.twitter.com/ksCRbI9NGw
Then Vancouver International Airport (YVR) shared travel tips inspired by the classic holiday movie “Home Alone.”
Here’s part of the thread.
For the two or three people not familiar with the plot, the film follows the McAllister family, who are going on vacation to Paris. Due to a series of unfortunate events, one of the children gets left HOME ALONE and hijinx ensue. pic.twitter.com/fGTs1FngXd
Point being, if you have an early-morning flight, have some fail safes in place to make sure you get up in a timely manner and ensure you have enough time to get to the airport! Because leaving plenty of time to get to the airport is the next tip as anything can happen…
Losing or destroying a paper ticket isn’t an issue for 2019 travellers, but it does bring us to our 1st TRAVEL TIP – be prepared and confirm travel details in advance! Have all travel documents and ID stored securely in a safe place leading up to the big day and check-in online. pic.twitter.com/FYzJpwZCPa
They also appear to have transportation booked! The Airport Express shuttles are there waiting. Again, this is good hustle by the McAllisters. YVR doesn’t have shuttles to the airport (local hotels do offer free shuttle service to/from), but it is incredibly smart to have a plan. pic.twitter.com/ws5hUjQWxv
Some things go horribly wrong at this point as the nosy neighbour kid starts poking around. He annoyed the driver enough that the driver tells him to scram twice. This is the correct approach. If you are assembling for a large vacation abroad, avoid distractions. All of them. pic.twitter.com/uGawb63L5W
All of this would have been avoidable if everybody followed some pretty basic travel tips that will ensure you and yours have a happy and hijinx free holiday season in 2019 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/O5k5rY7tOB
And not to scare you or creep you out, we also shared this photo of some wacky sort of holiday decoration we spotted at the Geneva Airport in Switzerland.
More holiday events at airport
Fun stuff from airports keeps coming in.
There’s this cute video from Denver International Airport
And, in addition to reindeers (Wed and Thurs. morning) at the Light Rail station, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has a penguin, a T-Rex, a snow princess and other odd characters roaming the airport through December 24th.
And don’t forget: If you’re flying on an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday, you’ll get priority boarding if you wear a holiday sweater, in honor of Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.
For the third year, guests dressed in fly holiday gear get priority boarding Dec. 20 on all Alaska Airlines flights.
Airports around the country continue to go all out to entertain passengers this holiday season.
Reindeers will return to the light rail station at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on December 18 and 19.
And the SEA Visitor Pass program piloted last year will now be a permanent airport amenity. The program allows non-ticketed guests the opportunity to enter the secure side of the airport to enjoy shopping, dining, and other amenities.
The gate pass program also means non-ticketed flyers have extra time to spend with friends and family before their flight and to be there at the gate when a flight lands.
More details will be rolled out on Monday, December 16, when the program officially resumes.
We’re happy to see that gate pass programs are now officially a trend at airports.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) have gate pass programs at well.
Santa Paws, Teddy Bears and more
Elsewhere, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has some treats in store for holiday week travelers.
LAX has booked nine musical acts and groups, including the popular TSA Choir, to perform at various terminals and the LAX-it pick-up lot throughout December.
On Friday, Dec. 20, LAX employees will host an arts and crafts activity for kids at the Tom Bradley International Terminal Children’s Playground from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special guests will include “Santa PAWS” from the LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) Program therapy dogs.
And on December 25, Los Angeles Airport Police officers, spouses and family members will be in various locations at LAX handing out teddy bears, candy canes and tree ornaments to children.
Holiday decoration or what?
And here’s a holiday ‘decoration’ we spotted early Friday morning this week at the Geneva Airport in Switzerland.
Not sure if this character just had a really bad night or what…
