5 Things We Love About

ALB: 5 Things We Love About Albany International Airport

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The “5 Things We Love About…” series on StuckatTheAirport.com celebrates features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.

Today we’re landing at New York’s Albany International Airport (ALB), once known as “the aerial crossroads of the Northeast.”

ALB: 5 Things We Love About Albany International Airport

Photo by Mark Morand

1. The Reading Lounge at ALB

ALB is home to the Mario & Matilda Cuomo Pavilion, which is a partnership with the New York State Writers Institute.

The pavilion is an 800-square foot glass-enclosed space on the first floor of the terminal. The space is designed to be a reading lounge where visitors can select a free book by authors featured by the Institute, download an author interview, and learn about the Institute’s programs and events.

2. The Art at Albany International Airport

Photo by Arthur Evans.

Albany International Airport’s Art & Culture Program presents a robust array of offerings in exhibition spaces throughout the terminal.

In addition to Concourse Galleries and an exhibition case program that features information and artifacts from museums in the region, ALB airport has a dedicated 2,500-square gallery located pre-security on the third floor of the airport.

As a nice bonus, artwork in the curated gallery shows is often for sale.

Red Drift by Gina Ochiogrosso

3. The Observation Area at ALB

Albany International Airport has a pre-security observation area on the third level of the terminal. Part of the airport art gallery, the observation area offers views of the airport runways, the wings of the terminal, and, on a clear day, the southern Adirondack Mountains.

4. Flowers at ALB

Albany International Airport makes a point to have fresh flowers throughout the terminal. And lots of them. Starting at the curbside.

5. Shiny new facilities at ALB

Albany International Airport recently completed a multi-million dollar capital redevelopment project. Passengers will benefit from the new air traffic control tower, a new 230,000-square-foot terminal, and a new 1000-space parking garage with a pedestrian bridge to the terminal.

Did we miss one of your favorite features or amenities at Albany International Airport (ALB)?

If so, leave a note in the comments section below.

And be sure to take a look at the other airports in the “5 Things We Love About…” series. We’re adding a few new airports each week.

PHL: 5 Things We Love About Philadelphia International Airport

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Our 5 Things We Love About series of airport guides celebrating some of the features and amenities at airports around the country and the world is growing longer.

And today we add another airport to the list: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

PHL, just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia, first opened in 1940. Back then it was known then as Philadelphia Municipal Airport. Today PHL serves more than 32 million passengers a year with 25 airlines making 500 departures to more than 140 destinations worldwide.

Keep in mind that some of the amenities featured here may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will come back.

5 Things We Love About Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

1. Art and exhibitions at PHL

PHL’s award-winning art and exhibitions program is celebrating its 22nd year and you’ll find art at just about every turn.

We love the wall filled with posters of movies made in Philadelphia, such as Rocky (and the sequels), starring Sylvester Stallone; Dressed to Kill, with Michael Caine and Angie Dickinson, Blow Out, with John Travolta; Trading Places, Witness and more.

And we really love the temporary exhibitions PHL hosts as well as the permanent artwork, such as King Saladeen’s “Create Your Gold” (between Terminals C and D).


2.  PHL ARTPORT LOUNGE


The ARTport Lounge in Terminal F is a colorful place for passengers to relax while waiting for a flight. The area features the artwork of Kyle Confehr, Martha Rich, Alloyius Mcilwaine and Lauren Cat West. There’s a popular sticker wall here as well as cornhole game boards.

3. PHL WAGGING TAILS BRIGADE


PHL’s Wagging Tails Brigade of therapy dogs launched in April 2019. The program includes 12 teams of volunteer dogs and handlers who walk the terminals to interact with passengers and reduce stress.

Each dog has its own trading card as well.

4. The PHL Book Exchange

Everything in PHL’s book exchange and seating area in Terminal A is recycled. The book exchange and seats are made of reclaimed wooden pallets, the plants are in recycled aluminum cans and water bottles, and the backdrop tiles are made from broken skateboard decks.

The books are “take one, leave one” and come from passengers and from the airlines, which donate books left onboard airplanes.

5.  THE PHL POP-UP THEATER


The pop-up theater in Baggage Claim B showcases media/video by Philadelphia area youth who participate in various nonprofit programs.

Right now the features “Symphony for a Broken Orchestra,” an exhibition with broken musical instruments from the School District of Philadelphia, emphasizing the importance of music education in schools.

Broken Orchestra from Topic on Vimeo.

Did we miss an amenity you love at PHL airport? The rocking chairs? Perhaps the fact that you can order a cheesesteak in any terminal? The Philadelphia Zoo at PHL program? Or the on-property Marriott hotel connected via a skywalk to Terminal B?

Let us know in the comments section below. Which airport should we visit next?



ONT – 5 Things We Love about Ontario International Airport

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Welcome to another installment of Stuck at the Airport’s “5 Things We Love About…” series.

Today we’re sharing some of the features and amenities we love at Ontario International Airport (ONT).

The airport that is quick to remind you that it is not in Canada, but in Southern California, is about 40 miles from Disneyland, downtown LA, and Laguna Beach.

If we have missed one of your favorite amenities at ONT, please leave a note in the comments section below.

And take a look at the other airports in the “5 Things We Love at …” series. We are adding new airports (and taking nominations) all the time.

5 Things We Love About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

1. Drive-in movies at ONT

Without a doubt, the best amenity at ONT airport right now is the drive-in movies.

Better yet: ONT’s drive-in movies are free.

To help area residents combat being cooped up due to COVID-19 concerns, ONT is partnering with the City of Ontario and Street Food Cinema to offer a series of free drive-in movies at the airport on two 50-foot screens. The sound for the movies comes in on the FM radio signal.

“Ford v Ferrari” has already been screened, as has “The Sandlot.”  Coming up next: “Princess Bride” on July 17 and “Napoleon Dynamite” on July 31.

2.  ONT’s role in Hollywood movies

Speaking of movies, ONT calls itself “Hollywood’s secret back lot.”

Filming for scenes in “Ford v Ferrari”, “Catch Me If You Can,” “Argo,” and even the TV series “LAX” all took place at Ontario International Airport.

So, keep your eyes out for movie and TV stars when you are there.

3. The views from ONT

Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Mt. Baldy are to the north of ONT and you can get great views from the runway and from the sky.  In the winter, you will spot snow-covered mountains in the distance when exiting the terminal.

4. ONT’s Paw Squad

ONT’s therapy dog team, called the Paw Squad, provides comfort – and photo ops – for stressed-out travelers.

5. PPE Kiosks in the ONT passenger terminals

ONT was the first California airport to install PPE kiosks in the terminals. The machines dispense face covers, disposable gloves, disinfectant wipes, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Did we miss mentioning something you love about Ontario International Airport (ONT)? Leave us a note in the comments section below.

Which airport should we profile next?

ORD: 5 Things We Love About Chicago O’Hare International Airport

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We’re back with another installment of our “5 Things We Love About…” series and today we’re landing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Please keep in mind that due to health concerns, some features and amenities at ORD may be temporarily unavailable. But we’re confident they’ll be back.

Here’s a link to the airports that have been profiled in the “5 Things We Love About…” series so far. Feel free to nominate an airport you’d like to see included in the series.

And if we missed a feature or amenity you love at any of the profiled airports, le us know in the comments section.

5 Things We Love About Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is located about 14 miles from downtown Chicago. Originally named Orchard Field Airport, the airport was renamed in O’Hare International Airport in 1949 to honor Lieutenant Commander Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare, a Chicagoan killed during WWII.  

1. ORD’s Aeroponic Garden

O’Hare International Airport’s aeroponic garden grows herbs and vegetables, including basil, lettuce, beans and edible flowers – all without soil. Many restaurants in the airport use ingredients harvested from this garden.

2. The Brachiosaurus at ORD

The Field Museum has been kind enough to loan ORD a skeleton model of a Brachiosaurus excavated in 1900 by one of the museum’s paleontologists. The model is 4 stories tall and 72 feet long and hard to miss in Terminal 1, Concourse B, near the entrance to the tunnel to Concourse C.

3. The ORD Shoe Hospital

The Shoe Hospital at ORD not only offers shoe shining services, they can fix broken heels, sell you shoelaces, put another hole in your leather belt and, in a pinch, fix a suitcase or a strap on your carry-on bag.

4. Art at ORD

Entertaining and iconic, “The Sky’s the Limit,” by Michael Hayden is a 745-foot-long kinetic light sculpture in the tunnel connecting Concourses B&C in Terminal 1.

5. The Fighter Plane

ORD displays a replica of the WWII F4F-3 fighter plane flown by the airport’s namesake, Lt. Commander Edward “Butch” O’Hare. Find it on the north end of Terminal 2, near gate E1.

Did we miss any of your favorite features or amenities at ORD? The yoga rooms? The day passes you can get to use the well-equipped gym at the O’Hare Hilton? Or perhaps the Farmer’s Fridge vending machines that dispense fresh salads and snacks in returnable jars?

Let us know?

CVG: 5 Things We Love About Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

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The “5 Things We Love About…” series on Stuck at The Airport celebrates features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.

Today we’re sending some love to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

If we miss an amenity at CVG that you love, please be sure to mention it in the comments section below. The same goes for nominating another airport for the series.

CVG: 5 Things We Love About Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport”

1. Miniature Therapy Horses that visit CVG

Many airports have teams of therapy dogs that come by to help destress passengers in the terminals.

CVG has a partnership with Seven Oaks Farm, which brings miniature therapy horses by the airport.

2. CVG’s Autonomous Floor Scrubbers and Vacuum Robots

CVG is serious about staying clean. So keep on the lookout for Neo, a floor-scrubbing robot made by Avidbots and vacuum robots from Softbank.

3. CVG’s themed Cincinnati Zoo play area

The Cincinnati Zoo partners with CVG to make a play area celebrating Fiona, the zoo’s celebrity hippo who gained fame for being the smallest hippo to survive being born six weeks premature.

4. History exhibits at CVG

In another charming community partnership, CVG features Cincinnati Museum Center exhibits – including the Mastodon in Concourse B.

5. Beer, Bourbon and Cute Souvenirs at CVG

Cork N’ Bottle and has several other establishments at CVG feature a wide variety of Kentucky bourbons. They love beer here, too. And the airport has partnered with the Christian Moerlein Taproom to make the bespoke JET CVG beer.

Need a souvenir? Of course you do.

Cincinnati’s unofficial mascot is a winged pig, which celebrates the city’s pork processing past.

CVG’s shops carry everything from piggy banks to chocolate pig “poop”.