Founder Tony Caldwell is taking his private collection public, with a display of more than 20 classic aircraft, including several from Caldwell’s own assortment and others on loan from various private collections.
Notable among Caldwell’s aircraft are several Waco biplanes, originally manufactured from 1920 through the end of the 1940s, which were the best-selling civilian biplanes in the U.S. at the time.
Another standout in the collection is a Stearman PT-17 on loan from Waldo Wright’s Flying Service out of Florida. The 1942 trainer is piloted by its owner, Waldo “Rob” Wright. Wright runs the on-site Waldo Wright Restoration Shop. The shop serves as both a workspace and a living exhibit, allowing visitors the chance to watch the antique revitalization process firsthand.
The collection, along with a restoration shop, a café, and a small library, is housed within a 30,000-square-foot, fully restored 1943 WWII hangar at El Reno Regional Airport.
Las Vegas is synonymous with lots of things, most notably neon.
And the city’s Neon Museum has saved and now celebrates the neon signs of the past in a wonderful outdoor site.
One of the newest additions is a sign for the entrance of the Dunes Hotel and Casino, which opened in Las Vegas in 1955, was hailed as the “Miracle in the Desert” and offered extravagant shows, luxurious dining and over-the-top amenities.
(Exterior of the Dunes Hotel and Casino at night in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 5, 1958. Credit: Las Vegas News Bureau.)
The Dunes Hotel closed in 1993 and was imploded to make way for an even more extravagant hotel, The Bellagio.
Now the restored Dunes entrance sign is on view at the Neon Museum, which includes an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard; the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant! Jackpot” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non- operational signs; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.
The museum’s collection also includes 15 restored signs displayed as public art in downtown Las Vegas.
Love beer? Here’s what happens to harvested hops
We took a tour of the Morrier Ranch hops farm in Yakima, Washington to see what happens to hops once they’re harvested from the field.
Yakima farms produce about 75% of the country’s hops and October 4 is Yakima’s Fresh Hop Ale Festival, a beer festival timed to the hop harvest that includes music, food and fresh hop beers using hops just off the vine.
You’d think that after hiring the best architects and builders and spending billions of dollars, a new airport terminal would be ready to spring into action when the work is done.
But before flights begin to come and go from a new terminal, airports usually run a dress rehearsal day with volunteers pretending to be passengers.
Why ask fake passengers to test airport terminals?
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is putting the finishing touches on a new $1.7 billion terminal set to open in October. Architectural and engineering firms Gensler, HDR and Luis Vidal + Architects designed the terminal and all systems and areas have been completed and rigorously tested.
“But construction and operational readiness aren’t equal,” Daniel Bryan, the consultant leading PIT’s operational readiness and transition team, said. Before the official opening date can be set and announced, PIT is conducting two public trial days, or dress rehearsals, where volunteers act as passengers to help make sure everything — and everyone — is truly ready for the big day.
The first terminal-wide test took place Saturday, Sept. 20, and included about 1,000 of the 18,000 people who responded to the airport’s initial call-out for volunteers.
Pretend passengers traveling on a pretend peak travel day were asked to do all the things real passengers do when they travel from the curb to the gate — checking bags, skis and golf clubs, going through the security checkpoint and finding their gate.
“This will be the first time we’ll see the building come alive,” Bryan said, so the team planned to check the acoustics, the public address system levels, signage and more. The test day was also a day for airport staff to do a run-through for the first day.
San Diego International Airport’s new terminal
It was the same story at San Diego International Airport (SAN) on Sept. 14. Opening day for is Sept. 23 for the $3.8 billion Terminal 1 designed by Gensler in partnership with Turner-Flatiron.
All went well, with adjustments planned in response to feedback that the paging system was too loud in some areas and not loud enough in others, and that better signage was needed for the outdoor dining deck and the oversized baggage belt.
What did Kansas City International Airport learn from its test?
All systems worked well, said airport spokesman Justin Meyer, and in response to volunteer feedback, the airport ordered more hefty paper towels for the restrooms.
Then there was the problem of test day volunteers missing their fake flights because they were spending too much time checking out the terminal.
Airports can sometimes be crowded and frustrating spaces, but they can also be pleasant places to hang out.
And, thanks to a bevy of recently completed airport capital improvement projects, with more on the way, travelers are increasingly satifisied and “enjoying the experience” at the nation’s airports, according to the J.D. Power 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, released today.
The study found that overall passenger satisfaction scores are up 10 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year, driven largely by improvements in food, beverage and retail and ease of travel through the airport.
“A decades long trend of bringing unique, local flavor to the passenger experience has positively impacted the airport experience with these local touches having a major influence on passenger satisfaction,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power.
Here are the top rankings.
[Mega airports are defined by J.D. Power as those with 33 million or more passengers per year; large airports with 10 to 32.9 million passengers per year; and medium airports with 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year. Rankings are on a scale of 1000 points.]
Mega Airports
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport ranks highest in passenger satisfaction among mega airports for a second consecutive year with a score of 660.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (649) ranks second.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (634) ranks third.
Large Airports
John Wayne Airport, Orange County ranks highest among large airports for a second consecutive year, with a score of 730.
Tampa International Airport (709) ranks second.
Dallas Love Field (705) ranks third.
Medium Airports
Indianapolis International Airport ranks highest among medium airports for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 713.
Ontario International Airport (709) ranks second.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (698) ranks third.
September is not only Bourbon Heritage Month, but it evidently also marks one year since the launch of ROW 94 Whiskey, founded by country music singer and songwriter Dierks Bentley.
To mark the month, Bentley and his bourbon teamed up with Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to install a life-sized Dierks hologram in the airport’s post-security rotunda area.
The hologram welcomes travelers to Louisville, tells them the story of the ROW 94 whiskey and directs them to the airport’s District Distillery Marketplace, where signed and limited-edition bottles are available for purchase.
To celebrate the two-month promotion, on Friday, September 12, the real Dierks beamed in live to SDF from Nashville and gave away a guitar, so no doubt there were plenty of passengers doing double takes.
This morning travelers at SDF got a surprise ✨🍹 Country music superstar Dierks Bentley made a special hologram appearance right here in SDF’s terminal to promote his @Row94Whiskey. 🥃✈️ Guests were able to see the one-of-a-kind technology up close — making for a unique start… pic.twitter.com/MKFd8CbrdM
King’s Hawaiian will swap your clothes at O’Hare Int’l Airport
On Wednesday, August 27, and Thursday, August 28, travelers passing through Terminal 2 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) will have a chance to sample King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls and soft pretzel bites – and get some new clothes.
The pop-up will be offering free food samples, travel pillows, eye masks and ‘softwear sets’ of sweatpants and sweatshirts.
The catch? Anyone who wants the clothing must be willing to take off the clothes they’re wearing and swap them for the new outfit. Private changing booths will be available and all the traded clothing will be donated to a Chicago charity.
Look for the King’s Hawaiian pop-up kiosk at O’Hare Terminal 2 that looks like this:
Dogs at the car rental counter
If you’re renting a car at the airport over the Labor Day Holiday, be on the lookout for the Hertz ‘Gold Squad’ of Golden Retrievers.
Taking a page from the teams of therapy dogs that visit airport terminals to hang out with and destress passengers, the folks at Hertz are bringing the Golden Retrievers and some free giveaways to the car rental centers at select airports across the country.
Travel chaos called. The Hertz Gold Squad answered. Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for free perks that make travel feel golden. Join now through link in bio. #hertzgoldsquad#dogsoftiktok#travel#goldenretriever
Big headaches Wednesday night for United Airlines and its passengers due to a major system outage that led to widespread delays and ground stops across the country.
The airline said the issue was related to a technology glitch.
The issue was resolved late in the evening, but it may take days for all travelers on delayed and canceled flights to get to their destinations.
Alaska Airlines announces new flights and a new livery
Alaska Airlines is making news left and right. This week, the carrier announced new routes to London and Reykjavik from Seattle starting in Spring 2026, adding to previously announced new service to Rome, also set to begin in Spring 2026.
The airline also unveiled a new livery for its 787-9 aircraft and announced that by Spring all Dreamliners in its fleet will be flying with this new design.
Already, there’s debate over the new livery.
Some people love it. But others are disappointed because the smiling face of the Inuk man known as “Chester” – which has been a staple on the tail of Alaska Airlines’ aircraft for years – is nowhere to be seen.
What do you think?
London. Reykjavík. Rome. A bold new global aircraft design. A premium experience. And endless possibilities for international travel! Be the first to book this fall by joining our early-access list: https://t.co/wr6S8d9j8w
There used to be a couple of vending machiens filled with fun and unusual Asian treats in the waiting area outside international arrivals at Seattle-Tacome International Airport.
An equally cool – maybe cooler – concession has taken its place.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which calls itself ‘America’s Friendliest Airport,’ was surely the funnest airport to be at this week during an anniversary party commemorating the purchase of the rural airport in 1935.
90 years ago, ‘Sky Harbor’ was nicknamed ‘The Farm’ time because of its location. And back then, the purchase price was $100,000.
At the airport’s 90th birthday party, local leaders presented a proclamation and made some speeches.
Then it was time for a 90s-themed dance party and a parade of airport Navigator Buddies from the pet therapy program dressed in neon, as rock stars, as movie characters from “Clueless,” sports heroes, and more.
After all the dancing was over, airport personnel and the pups paraded through Terminal 4 and then boarded the PHX Sky Train to Terminal 3.
PHX has been celebrating its 90th anniversary all year with monthly events hosted in the Culture Corner, located post-security in Terminal 3. Check here to see if something will be happening next time you’re visiting PHX.
Other anniversary activities at PHX include trivia with Amelia, the Airport’s mascot and music through the decades as part of the weekly Traveling Tunes programming.
The Airport Museum also has a special 90th anniversary exhibition on display in Terminal 4 called “From Farm Field to Airfield,” showcasing the airport’s beginnings and its significant milestones over the years.
You can read and see the exhibit from home starting here.
And, as a nice bonus, PHX travelers can stop by the Airport Information Counters to pick up a commemorative 90th anniversary airport trading card. Super collectible!
PHX Party photos by Mark Skalny Photo, courtesy of PHX
The art show is on Concourse D, near the gates for Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines and features hand-pulled screen prints by Communication Design students.
Each piece offers a unique perspective on Milwaukee, focusing on the city’s landmarks and culture.
The 2025 festival takes place from August 18 to 24 and includes kite competitions and performances, including synchronized kite ballet and mass ascensions where hundreds of kites fill the sky at once. Other kite festival activities include kite-making workshops, nighttime lighted kite flying and lots of opportunities to fly your own kite.
The museum is home to more than 1,500 kites from 26 countries and includes a 300-piece Japanese kite collection and a set of WWII military kites.
(Kids with kite photo up top courtesy State Library and Archives of Florida via Flickr Commons)
This Oregon inn had us at “popcorn”
The Setting Inn Willamette Valley is a boutique retreat with an on-site wine tasting room in Newberg, Oregon, the heart of Oregon Wine Country.
We were fortunate to spend a delightful evening there a while back and loved the wine, the complimentary breakfast delivered to amenity-rich room, the indoor and outdoor gathering spots and the walkable grounds.
Now one of the inn’s new guest experiences has us contemplating a return trip.
From now through October, The Setting Inn is offering a Popcorn Pairing package that includes a bottle of The Setting Wines’ 2024 barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc with two bags of small-batch rosemary parmesan popcorn from Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn, a family-owned Newberg favorite.
Cruise news: Holland America’s behind-the-scenes tours
Holland America Line’s popular behind-the-scenes tours of its cruise ships were on pause for the past few years due to a variety of health and safety reasons.
But they’re back on the paid activity list.
Available fleetwide by the end of July, each behind-the-scenes tour visits shipboard locations such as the navigational bridge, galley and engine control room, main laundry, recycling center, bakery and bars.
Holland America Line will also be marking America’s 250th birthday in 2026 with a special round-trip cruise from Boston. The seven-day “America’s 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage” aboard Zuiderdam departs July 4, 2026, and includes a special call at Norfolk, Virginia, with access to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Bob Ross Experience at Indiana’s Minnetrista Museum
In 1887, the Ball family—makers of the famous Ball mason jars—moved their glass manufacturing business from Buffalo, New York, to Muncie, Indiana.
From 1983 to 1988, Bob Ross filmed “The Joy of Painting” in one of the homes on the property, which served as the studio for WIPB-TV.
Now, the home is the site of the Bob Ross Experience, an exhibition featuring original paintings and artifacts, and the restored television studio where the show was filmed.
Visitors can stand where Ross stood at his easel and even take a painting class from a Certified Ross Instructor.
