Sports

Alaska Airlines give some Seahawks fans extra perk

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RussellWilsonboardingplacard

Alaska Airlines, Seattle’s hometown carrier, is charged up about the fact that the Seattle Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions.

So charged up that the airline is offering early boarding privileges on its Seattle-departing flights to anyone wearing a No. 3 jersey – the number worn by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Alaska football

Photo courtesy Angela Wagner – and her brother, Jon

The promotion will continue through the team’s 2014 NFL football season.

The perk began being offered during the Seahawks’ playoff run last year.

“Then the Seahawks fever caught on and was out of control for both customers and our Seattle-Tacoma International Airport employees,” said Alaska Airlines Seattle customer service manager Michelle King. “We’re excited to extend the promotion again to support our hometown team.”

While fans will certainly be seen wearing the jerseys of other popular players, Alaska Airlines has a multiyear promotional partnership with the Seahawks’ star quarterback and last December named Russell Wilson the airline’s “Chief Football Officer,” featuring him in a series of cute commercials and dedicating a plane in his honor.

In addition to the early-boarding perk for jersey-wearing fans in Seattle, the airline is offering promotional fares – for everyone – for flights to away games in San Diego, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo. and Philadelphia.

(My story about Alaska Airlines giving early boarding perks to some Seattle Seahawks fans first appeared on USA TODAY in a slightly different form.)

Rent a bike at BWI Airport

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BWI bikes

Cities have them, so why not airports?

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has teamed up with bike-sharing company Zagster, and placed a rack of 10 rentable bikes outside the airport’s International Terminal.

Renting a bike via the Zagster app is $5 for up to 12 hours of use.

Why rent a bike at BWI?

So you don’t have to just hang out during a long wait for your flight and because BWI has a 12.5 mile scenic outdoor trail encircles the airport property that has a children’s playground and an observation area.

BWI BIKES RACK

Super Bowl XLIX? Phoenix Sky Harbor is ready

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Super Bowl XLIX will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 – about six months from now – but Sky Harbor International Airport is already planning how it will welcome all the football fans that will be coming to town.

To remind everyone that the countdown is underway, the airport has installed two giant digital clocks in the baggage claim area of Terminal 4 to mark the days, hours and minutes until the big game.

PHX SuperBowl Clock

Courtesy Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

In the month surrounding the big game, Phoenix Sky Harbor expects to serve about 4 million passengers. Many will be attending the game, of course, but plenty of people will be coming to town to party in the 12 downtown city blocks that will be turned into Super Bowl Central for the four days leading up to the game.

Work-out at Philadelphia International Airport

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Travelers can admire, but not ride, the ten art-bikes currently displayed on top of baggage carousels at Denver International Airport.

PHL_ Fitness Zone Photo # 1

But at Philadelphia International Airport passengers can work off some of the calories consumed in the food courts by riding stationary exercise bikes scattered throughout the terminals.

“I was actually looking for an electrical outlet,” said 62-year-old Tom Currie, who was biking while on a three hour layover at PHL last Friday afternoon on his way from San Diego to Rome. “But the bikes are right next to the outlets, so I figured this was a good way to get some exercise instead of sitting around.”

PHL _Tom Currie exercising on his three hour layover on way to Rome

As part of its summer-long Just Plane Fun customer appreciation program, PHL recently replaced a few of its popular rocking chairs in the shopping area between concourses with several hands-free exercise bikes.

Eight additional pieces of low-impact exercise equipment were bundled into a fitness zone that pops up at a different location in the airport every two weeks.

“It’s easy to stiffen up on short or long flights, but even light cardio exercise that doesn’t work up a sweat can help travelers stay loose,” said Rich Hebert, a frequent traveler and the CEO of Smooth Fitness. The fitness equipment manufacturer is based in a Philadelphia suburb and donated the equipment for the summer-program to PHL airport.

Working out at PHL was such an immediate hit that there are now 30 exercise bikes in the terminals. Airport officials are also discussing how to allot equipment maintenance and replacement funds to make the temporary program a permanent fixture.

“Traveling to and through airports is stressful for many people and our job is to make that experience less stressful and more enjoyable,” said James Tyrrell, PHL Deputy Director of Aviation. “This exercise equipment helps us meet that goal. And so far, response in social media and elsewhere has been off the hook.”

While spas and other wellness amenities are no longer rare at airports, “what’s new about the ‘Fitness Zones’ at Philadelphia International Airport is that they bring the gym directly to the concourse, encouraging easy access and low-impact exercise for everyone in the vicinity,” said Kevin M. Burke, president and CEO of ACI-NA, which represents most North American airports.

Working on their own or with the American Heart Association, many airports have created walking paths both inside and outside the terminals. In many cities, there are also bike paths to and from the airports. And there are now yoga rooms, usually with loaner mats, at airports in San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and Burlington, Vt.

Toronto Pearson International Airport has a 10,000-square-foot GoodLife Fitness club inside the terminal and on-property hotels at some airports offer reasonably-priced day passes to airline passengers with long layovers who want access to fitness and spa areas. Examples include the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport, The Westin Detroit Airport, the Grand Hyatt DFW and the Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

(My story about working out at Philadelphia International Airport first appeared on NBC News Travel in slightly different form.)

Surf’s up – again – at Munich Airport

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Surfing at Munich Airport - alt image

Passengers hanging out at Munich Airport in Germany can now hang 10 as well.

Free surfing, with complimentary loaner surfboards and wetsuits, is available through Aug. 24 in a giant standing wave pool set up outdoors between Terminals 1 and 2.

Pre-registered guests can surf 10 at a time for 45-minute sessions. Twice a day, a bar will be placed across the water so beginners can hold on.

Non-surfers can watch the action between flights from the poolside grandstand or from a temporary beach, which has palm trees, lounge chairs and a cocktail bar.

This is the fourth year surfing has been an option at the Munich Airport Center, a public space that also hosts an annual beach volleyball tournament and a Christmas Market.

Surfing at Munich Airport

(My story about surfing at Munich Airport first appeared on NBC News Travel)

Surf’s up at Munich Airport

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In just a few weeks you’ll be able to surf at Munich Airport.

Yes, surf!

munich surfing

From July 30 to August 24, 2014 a giant standing wave machine – billed as the world’s largest – returns to Munich Airport offering free rides on real surfboards on an endless wave.

During the installation, the airport offers surfing camp for kids each morning and free rides for anyone 8 years of age and older each afternoon. And on August 9 and 10, the European Championships in Stationary Wave Riding will take place at the airport, with spectators admitted for free.

Free surfing takes place each day from 3 p.m to 8:15 p.m. and equipment (surfboards, wetsuits, etc.) can be borrowed. Registration for one of the 45 minute surfing slots can be made two days in advance and, for true beginners, rods are placed across the water each twice each day to make it easier to hang ten.

Snack Saturday: Free Currywurst during World Cup

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AIRBERLIN CURRYWURST

Germany faces Brazil in the World Cup finals on Tuesday and, as I learned during my visit to airberlin headquarters in Berlin recently, that means free currywurst for passengers on airberlin flights during the game.

Currywurst, a popular fast food dish in Germany that consists of whole or sliced pork sausage topped by a mixture of ketchup and curry powder, is one of the more popular buy-on-board options airberlin offers on its menu of dishes prepared for the airline by the Sansibar restaurant. The on-board version usually sells for about $9 (6.90 euros) and is sliced, made from veal and pork and served with a spicy curry sauce, a packet of extra-strong curry powder, a roll and, as is tradition, a wooden fork.

airberlin pilots have been announcing the results of World Cup matches that take place during flights and offering half-time scores for matches involving Germany. The free curry-wurst is served on all German domestic flights between 5 pm and 8 pm on the days when the German team is playing.

World Cup viewing rooms at Orlando Int’l Airport

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With a month-long schedule of special events and programs, we knew Miami International Airport had World Cup fever, but it turns out Orlando International Airport is soccer happy as well.

mIA SOCCER ART

Soccer-themed art show at MIA Airport

The airport has set up a special viewing room in the main terminal building, across from the bank and next to the postal services and the spot has been quite popular with both passengers and with employees on their breaks.

One World photo

World Cup viewing room at Orlando International Airport

Not in Brazil? Where to watch the World Cup

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mIA SOCCER ART

Not going to Brazil? You can still catch the World Cup.

Soccer fans unable to see the 2014 FIFA World Cup festivities in person June 12 through July 13 can still get in on the action. Special soccer-themed events and promotions can be found across the country, from Miami to New York to Seattle.

No matter what city you’re in, there’s likely a bar nearby with a TV screen that will be tuned to the latest game. Find fellow fans by consulting the directory of official U.S. Soccer bars or this list put together by ESPN and Pinterest pinners.

With a city already full of passionate soccer fans, Miami is celebrating its status as the “Gateway to Brazil” with exhibition matches and events ranging from admission discounts at the Miami Seaquarium for those wearing the colors of teams advancing toward the finals to poolside viewing parties with giveaways and entertainment at hotels such as the Fontainebleu Miami Beach and the Clevelander South Beach Hotel.

Miami International Airport has a full month of events scheduled throughout the terminals as well.

“We’re World Cup ready,” said William Talbert, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have billboards welcoming World Cup fans and a special website of event listings that’s already 22 pages long.”

The Paley Center for Media is offering free World Cup screenings and events at both its New York City and Beverly Hills locations, beginning with the opening match (Brazil versus Croatia) on June 12 and ending with the 2014 FIFA World Cup Title Match on July 13.

Chicago will host three free viewing parties for the U.S. Men’s National Team matches in local parks. The USA’s opener against Ghana on June 16 and the U.S.-Portugal match June 22 can be seen at Arvey Field in Grant Park, while the Petrillo Music Shell at Butler Field will show the June 26 U.S.-Germany match. Each event will feature ESPN’s live feed of the matches displayed on a large high-definition screen and a U.S. Soccer Fan Fest area.

Cincinnati’s Fountain Square will also host free outdoor viewing parties for the three US Men’s National Team’s first round matches in the World Cup this summer. On June 16, 22 and 26, the games will be broadcast on the Square’s large outdoor screen, which usually shows Cincinnati Reds baseball games. The parties will also feature live DJs, food, beer from local breweries and activities for all ages.

Plenty of bars and restaurants around the country will be serving up special soccer-themed meals and drinks, such as the caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail. In Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach has put together a “World Cup of Wine” menu with wines from every participating World Cup country. Once a team is knocked out, their wine will be removed from the list. Securing wine from some of the countries has been a challenge, but “I am certain we will be purchasing more Italian and German wines and very likely the Brazilian Chardonnay Lidio Carraro Dadivas,” said hotel general manager Gregory Day.

In Portland, Oregon, home of popular Timbers soccer club, there will be a family-friendly, pop-up World Cup Beer Garden open from 8:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. showing every single World Cup game live, as well as replays and highlights. Soccer fans can enjoy local craft beers, cocktails, coffee, food and free Wi-Fi.

The Seattle Sounders FC is partnering with Nord Alley for free live-viewing parties in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. On July 13, the club will host its own World Cup Final viewing party, with a full day of soccer-related activities capped off by an evening match against the Portland Timbers.

(My round-up of Where to Watch the World Cup first appeared on NBC News Travel).

Miami International Airport ready for the World Cup

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mia soccer

The 2012 World Cup kicks off today in Brazil and Miami International Airport – which expects to see 200,000 passengers pass through on their way to and from the games – is kicking off its own month-long soccer-themed celebration.

Look – and listen – for: Brazilian music and dance performances; interactive mini-soccer fields featuring professional soccer players; Nintendo Wii™ Soccer game stations; a soccer-themed art exhibit, World Cup and national team clothing and accessories at MIA shops; a children’s cart with activities and soccer-themed face-painting and, of course, plenty of TVs tuned to the games, including a 90-inch flat screen TV in the upgraded MIA Hotel lobby pre-security at Central Terminal E, 2nd Level.

MIA GATEWAY LOGO