Airport amenity of the week

Airport coat check is back at this airport

Airport Terminals, ,

Coat Check Service returns to Milwaukee Mitchell Int’l Airport

One our our favorite airport amenities has returned for the winter season.

Coat check services are available now through Apirl 1 at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE).

The service is set up inside the Summerfest Marketplace store, which is located pre-security in the airport’s concession mall and is available to all travelers on all flights, seven days a week.

The coat check service means travelers heading to warm climates can wear their coats to the airport, leave them at the coat check and then pick them up at MKE when they fly back home.

Better yet: checking a coat is just two dollars per day, with a maximum charge of ten dollars. 

So snow birds can leave their coats behind for the entire season.

We think other airports could and should offer this helpful amenity.

And, as we have for several winters, we’re declaring MKE’s coat check service the Airport Amenity of the Week.

Travel tidbits from airports near you

Airports

Just catching up on some airport-related events and amenities posted on X the past few days.

At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) a cat took an unusual ride, and a new vending machine has Pokémon and sports cards.

Calgary International Airport (YYC) set up a make-your-own welcome sign station. (Our Airport Amenity of the Week!)

And Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) has a new art exhibit that looks charming.

Cool airport amenity: pickleball courts

Sports, ,

It’s been quite a year for California’s s Long Beach Airport (LGB).

The airport marked its centennial year with special events, a new mural, a historic video series, a collectible series of vintage-style posters and branded giveaways.

But they’re not done yet.

The airport recently debuted a new trademarked slogan – america’s coolest airport –, interred a centennial time capsule and introduced pop-up pickleball courts for the holiday season.

The pickleball courts are offered in partnership with the City of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine and are located just north of the Historic Terminal.

According to LGB officials, the two temporary pickleball courts will be activated periodically throughout the holidays.

We’re putting the Long Beach Airport pickleball courts in the running for Airport Amenit of the Week.

Airport Amenity of the Week

Baggage,

Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) gets high marks and many awards for its amenities, including everything from art and elaborate gardens to free movies and the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

Changi is also known for its customer service.

A few days ago, “due to inclement weather and lightning warnings,” the airport sent out a message on social media to inform passengers of possible delays “in the presentation of baggage as we prioritize the safety of our ground handling staff.”

While passengers waited for their bags to arrive, the airport rolled out carts with complimentary refreshments.

We’ve seen some US airlines send refreshments to the gate area when a flight is very delayed. But this is the first time we’ve seen complimentary refreshments sent to the bag claim area. And while it won’t make the bags arrive faster, it’s a nice gesture.

And so we’re declaring this the Airport Amenity of the Week in hopes that US airlines might take note.

Airport Amenity of the Week: My First Flight Buttons

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Whether you’re a kid or an adult, your first flight on an airplane is a big deal.

Virginia’s Norfolk International Airport (ORF) gets that. And, clearly, the folks who work at the airport remember that scared, giddy feeling of taking that first flight.

Like many other airports, ORF is on target to break passenger records this year. And like many other airports, ORF has a bundle of capital projects underway to modernize and expand its facilities.

The airport is also working on upping the customer experience. They’ve built a new children’s play area and have complimentary coloring books and crayons available at the airport Information Booth for anyone who asks.

Also free for the asking, My First Flight buttons.

“The idea is akin to what some theme parks make available for first-time visitors,” said ORF airport spokesperson Chris Jones. “We found a button-making kit online and then designed and created the buttons in-house. Hopefully, kids will hold onto them as keepsakes to remember their first flight into or out of ORF.”

The My First Flight buttons are rolling out this week and are available at the airport information booth. Volunteer Ambassadors are also carrying them to hand out.

Keep in mind: First Flights can take place at any age.

So don’t be shy about asking for a My First Flight button at ORF if you fit the bill. You don’t have to wear it, but it’s a great souvenir.

And it’s our Airport Amenity of the Week.