Stuck at the Airport

Southwest brags about baggage policy

05/23/08

Now that American Airlines has announced that it will begin charging most domestic passengers $15 to check their first bag, it’s a fair bet other major airlines will do the same. Travelers are pissed off about this move, but it just seems inevitable that everyone will soon pay to check their bags at the airport. →

Baggage
/Fees

Gamble with your OnePass miles

05/22/08

To mark the 21st birthday of its OnePass(R) frequent flyer program,Continental Airlines is holding a four-day Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament in Las Vegas. The event begins August 6, 2008 and will take place the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. The entry fee is 50,000 OnePass miles and the grand prize is 21 million OnePass miles. →

Dress up at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

05/21/08

A new exhibit at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport chronicles nearly 50 years of free summer music productions in Austin, Texas and includes photos, costumes, reviews and other items from Zilker Theater Productions. Highlights include props such as bricks made of fabric, pie made of foam, and hats with mouse traps to secretly propel a bird into →

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Marty Stuart at Nashville International Airport

05/20/08

Country music icon Marty Stuart is not only a songwriter and musician; it turns out the Mississippi native is also an accomplished photographer. He got his first camera at age 13 while making his bluegrass debut as a rhythm guitarist in Lester Flatt’s band. Beginning June 2nd, you can see 40 of Stuart’s photographs in →

Nashville International Airport

New art exhibit at San Diego International Airport

05/19/08

Some intriguing and colorful work by Mark Richmond is on view through July in the Commuter Terminal at San Diego International Airport. In addition, Richmond’s first public art commission, “Winds of Change,” a 25’ X 9’ 6” digital painting, was installed in Terminal 1. Photo courtesy: San Diego International Airport →

San Diego International Airport

Something fishy from Alaska

05/16/08

Seafood lovers in the Northwest and around the world have been waiting with, yes, baited breath for this year’s Copper River Salmon season to begin. No more waiting: today an Alaska Airlines plane left Cordova, Alaska for Seattle, Washington with the season’s first shipment of this tasty and often wildly-priced wild salmon. The first fish →

Food

Alaska Airlines

Films, fashion and flying

05/16/08

The Cannes Film Festival runs through May 25th and Air France, the festival’s official air carrier, has posted intriguing new film-related material on a special site. Poke around and you’ll find excerpts from films “starring” Air France as well as a gallery of photos showing actors and actresses such as Audrey Hepburn, Buster Keaton and →

Cannes Film Festival

Cell phones on airplanes? Not for these folks

05/16/08

Would you put up with a seat mate who spends the entire flight on the phone? “No way,” was the response of most everyone who weighed in after reading my recent Well-Mannered Traveler column on MSNBC.com about an Air France plane that allows in-flight calls. See what they said and add your vote to the →

Vote and Fly at John Wayne Airport

05/15/08

Travelers heading out from John Wayne Airport (SNA) can be among the first to cast ballots in Orange County’s 2008 primary election. Between Sunday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 27, the Orange County Registrar of Voters will be offering early voting at the airport between 6 AM and 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and from →

John Wayne Airport

Marking milestones in Idaho and Florida

05/14/08

Horizon Air is celebrating 25 years of service to the airport in Boise, Idaho this week by inviting customers to play retro games – including “Are You Smarter Than An Airline Employee,” “Name That Tune” and “Let’s Make A Deal.” Prizes include a chance to win two round-trip tickets on Horizon. And today – May →

Contests

Horizon Air