Airport food

Free coffee at airports for service men & women

May 17, 2014Harriet BaskasAirports, free Wi-FiAirport food, Armed services, Armed Services Day, military, travel

On Saturday, May 17 – Armed Forces Day – the Hudson Group kicked off a six week program to honor US and Canadian service men and women by offering them a free cup of coffee in 52 company-run food & beverage locations in North American airports and transit terminals, including Euro Cafe, Dunkin’ Donuts, Alki Bakery and others.

The promotion will include the Memorial Day weekend, Victoria Day and Canada Day and end at midnight on Independence Day, July 4.

Those not traveling in uniform just need to show an ID.

The offer is in addition to the regular 20 percent discount that the Hudson Groups offers to all active North American service men and women.

Look for signs and banners – like the one below – at participating cafes in airports and transit terminals.

Nice!

O’Hare Airport Terminal 5 gets a makeover

April 4, 2014Harriet BaskasAirport shops, Bathrooms, Foodairport amenities, Airport food, Airport shopping, O'Hare Airport, travel

This week Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is celebrating the completion of a two-year, much-needed, $26 million project to renovate and update International Terminal 5.

Here’s a splashy video about the terminal put together by Westfield, the terminal developer, followed by a story I put together about the completion of the terminal renovations that posted first on the Runway Girl Network.

Before the terminal upgrade began, just about all of the dining and retail options in T5 were located pre-security, which made it hard for travelers to feel at ease taking advantage of any dining and shopping option before passing through the security checkpoint and heading for their flights.

Now it’s a completely different story:

The Goddess & Grocer, a locally-owned and operated gourmet deli working in partnership with Metropolis Coffee Company, a local, small batch coffee roaster, is now the main pre-security dining venue. On the menu: deli sandwiches, ready-made salads, handmade chocolates, cookies and other desserts that can be eaten there – with friends or family members who have come to the airport to see you off – or packed to take with you on the plane.

There a completely reconfigured TSA checkpoint that’s “more streamlined and easier to get through,” said Karen Pride of the Chicago Department of Aviation and, just beyond that, a 10,000 square-foot, pass-through duty free shop like those that now seem standard in many European airports.

Inside the terminal, travelers will find a wide variety of new restaurants and retail shops, including many Chicago brands. There are also redesigned public spaces and many welcome new amenities.

The airport’s branch of XpresSpa is here offering massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and hot shaves. A wide variety of bath and body care products are also available for purchase and include Chicago-based Abbey Brown Soaps and the Beelove line of lip balm and skin care products, which are made with some of the honey from an apiary on airport property.

The restrooms pre and post-security have all been updated and there is now plenty of lounge-style seating throughout the common areas equipped with power outlets and USB ports for charging devices.

Expanded dining options include a food court, or “dining lounge,” with three quick-serve outlets: Wow Bao (Asian dishes with modern flair), Urban Olive (fresh salads) and R.J. Grunts Burger & Fries, and, for sit-down meals, a branch of the popular downtown Chicago restaurant, Hub 51.

Other food outlets in the terminal now include Big Bowl (potstickers, noodle and stir fry dishes, salads, etc. with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients), Tocco (a wine bar and Italian eatery), a branch of Tortas Frontera by Chicago chef Rick Bayless (popular elsewhere in the airport) and Kofe powered by Intelligentsia (gourmet coffee and tea, light fare).

Shoppers will be able to browse the offerings from Salvatore Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Vosge Haut-Chocolate, I Love Chicago, Swatch, Emporio Armani, Hudson (newsstand and travel essentials) and others.

The new shops, retail outlets and fresh amenities at Chicago’s International Terminal 5 have been gently rolling out during the past two years. But now that the final pieces are in place, there does seem like there’s plenty to celebrate and enjoy.

(My story about O’Hare Airport’s Terminal 5 upgrade first appeared on the Runway Girl Network.)

The best airport amenities of 2013

December 11, 2013Harriet BaskasFood, ground transporation, Lounges, Security, Transportationairport amenities, Airport food, airport lounges, airport transportation, TSA, TSA PreCheck

In the sky, hassles abound as airlines squeeze in more seats on their planes and tack on more fees for checking baggage, changing flight plans and using other services.

On the ground, it’s a rosier story.

Airports are steadily upgrading their facilities and adding amenities that offer passengers more enjoyable experiences that can make the time spent waiting for a flight the best part of the trip.

As we close out 2013, here are some of the best of airport amenities rolled out this past year.

Automated passport kiosks

You can’t really enjoy your time at an airport unless you can get into the airport, and this year we’ve seen wait times at customs significantly reduced at a handful of North American airports that have installed automated passport kiosks.

U.S. citizens can use these machines – for free – to scan their passports, answer customs declarations questions and cut short the time they need to spend in conversation with a customs officer.

The first machines were installed in May at Vancouver International Airport. In August, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport became the first U.S. airport to roll out the kiosks. Since then, the wait-reducing machines have been introduced at New York JFK International Airport (Terminal 4), Miami International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and, on Dec. 4, at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

TSA Pre-check expands

At the end of 2012, the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-check program offering expedited airport security screening was available at 35 airports for eligible passengers on five airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, United and U.S. Airways) and members of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program.

Today, the Pre-check program is available at 102 airports and the number of participating airlines has expanded to nine: Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways and Virgin America.

Beginning Dec. 20, active members of the U.S. Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard) who use their Department of Defense ID number when making a reservation may use the Pre-check lanes as well.

And last week, TSA launched a program offering eligible travelers five years of Pre-check membership for $85. Applications may be started online, but must be completed in person at the enrollment center now open at Indianapolis International Airport, at one of the centers TSA will open in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles by the end of 2013, or at one of the more than 300 centers planned for the future.

Lounge-like checkpoints

Thanks to a three-month pilot program that began in October, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport each have a security checkpoint that could (almost) double for a relaxing hotel lobby.

A joint project between Security Point Media and Marriott’s SpringHill Suites, the checkpoints have stylish décor, soothing wall art, colored lights and relaxing music as well as “re-composure” areas with comfortable leather couches and – a brilliant touch – mirrors.

Response to what’s been dubbed “The Next Level Experience” has been so positive that talks are underway to continue these installations at these two airports and possibly expand the concept to other airports in 2014.

Improved airport transportation

Getting to and from the airport can be part of the hassle of any trip, but during 2013 a few airports smoothed out some transit options.

Boston Logan International Airport says there is now “no scheduled end date” for a pilot program introduced in 2012 offering free Silver Line bus rides between the airport and the city center.

San Francisco International Airport, which took legal action last summer against car and ride-sharing programs it claimed were operating illegally at the airport, now has an agreement with the car-sharing company Relay Rides. This should pave the way for other non-traditional transportation companies to negotiate deals at SFO and other airports grappling with this issue.

And, just in time for holiday travel, the Maryland Transit Administration added weekend MARC commuter rail service between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, with stops at Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Airport service plazas

Facilities offering a wide variety of truly helpful services for passengers – and for those picking folks up – popped up this year outside two airports.

In September, Denver International Airport opened its a super-sized, 253-space cellphone lot called “Final Approach” adjacent to a fueling station. The lot’s building has a children’s play area with iPads built into tabletops, lounge seating, indoor restrooms, free Wi-Fi (which reaches the parking lot), flight display boards and four restaurants, including a Dunkin’ Donuts with a 24-hour drive-through which, airport officials report, is selling about 7,200 donuts each day.

In October, the Service Plaza opened near Indianapolis International Airport. In additional to a fueling station, automated green car wash, automobile detailing and quick lube services, there are two restaurants, a Circle K convenience store, flight display monitors and restrooms.

Great food and drink

Interesting places to eat and drink continue to show up at airports and this year fresh additions ranged from the Shake Shack at JFK’s T4 and the first airport IHOP – which opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – to Root Down at Denver International Airport, which operates with a decidedly “field to fork” flair.

The food-trucks-at-airports concept also expanded this year, with San Francisco, Sacramento, Tucson, Austin and Long Beach airports following the lead of Tampa International, which first invited food trucks to visit that airport around this time last year.

Great ideas

And then there are some interesting one-off ideas that we may see adopted by other airports during the next year.

Since February, Denver International Airport has had collection containers at four security checkpoints seeking donations of loose change for Denver’s Road Home, an organization that helps the homeless. Parking meter-style collection stations are inside the airport and so far this year, more than $69,000 has been raised.

In August, Vermont’s Burlington International installed a free-standing, pod-shaped Mamava Lactation Station to offer nursing and breastfeeding mothers a clean, comfortable and private space, post-security, to take care of business.

And this year, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport not only made room for an automated kiosk that taught air travelers a simplified, life-saving CPR method called Hands-Only, this holiday season DFW is offering what could be a face-saving service for last-minute shoppers: free shipping for last-minute gifts purchased in the terminals.

(My round-up of the Best Airport Amenities in 2013 first appeared as my December 2013 At the Airport column on USA Today Travel.)

Have you encountered any great airport amenities this year? Please share your favorites below.

Batter up: IHOP Express opens at ATL Airport

October 1, 2013Harriet BaskasFoodAirport food, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int'l Airport, IHOP

The first IHOP Express in an airport opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) on Tuesday, in the pre-security atrium.

Opening Day at IHOP Express. Courtesy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

This modern-day version of the iconic pancake-house brand is open 24 hours a day and has seating for 120 people. And in addition to sit-down service, it’s got a “Grab and Go” section, serves beer and wine and – brilliant move – even has a place for diners to store their luggage.

Batter up!

Food trucks and service plazas arrive at airports

September 20, 2013Harriet BaskasFoodAirport food, food trucks, service plazas, travel

Courtesy SFO Airport

The latest amenities on offer to travelers at airports are not inside—but out. And they’re very tasty.

Motorists waiting to pick up arriving passengers can now grab a snack or a meal from food trucks parked at a growing number of airport cellphone lots, where short-term parking is free for those who stay with their vehicles. At some airports, the cellphone lot is morphing into a full-fledged service plaza, offering everything from sit-down meals to car wash services.

“Airports have recognized that their cellphone waiting lots have great customer-service potential,” said Deborah C. McElroy, the interim president of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA.)

The airport food truck trend started with Tampa International Airport in Florida, which began inviting food trucks to park at its cellphone lot in December 2012 during a curbside parking rule transition. That program worked so well that now a different food truck pulls into the cellphone lot—and to a spot near the terminal—each weekday, with the schedule posted on the Tampa airport Facebook page.

Other airports now hosting food trucks in their cellphone lots include Tucson International Airport in Arizona as well as the Long Beach Airport in California, which has a different group of food trucks monthly during “Truck’n Tuesday.” At Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a vendor hauls in a food cart daily to serve hot dogs, bratwurst, mettwurst and nachos.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, the Twist of Spice food trailer has been serving wraps, paninis and Mexican food in the cellphone lot since January. “It not only provides a food option to cellphone lot users, but also to airport and nearby employees as well as residents,” said airport spokesman Jason Zielinski.

After seeing the popularity of these food trucks, other airports are joining in. Seattle-Tacoma International and Phoenix Sky Harbor International airports are among those exploring adding food trucks to their cellphone lots and Sacramento International Airport in California has put out a request for proposals.

In a passenger amenities survey conducted by ACI-NA in 2012, 56 airports said they had cellphone waiting lots. That number is increasing, but until fairly recently “no one has thought to capture revenue from travelers in these lots,” said Ramon Lo, editorial director of Airport Revenue News. It appears no one is yet tracking this source of ancillary revenue for airports, he said.

Not all airports are limiting the food trucks to the cellphone lots.

Sometime this year or next, Terminal 4 (American Airlines) at Los Angeles International will be getting an L.A. Gourmet Street Truck structure built to look like a food truck. “The concept and façade will change every three to four months, with cuisine from the most popular food trucks in Los Angeles rotating so that travelers get to experience it,” said LAX spokeswoman Katherine Alvarado.

At San Francisco International Airport, three food trucks park outside Terminal 1 each Thursday, drawing customers not only from passengers and their greeters, but from airport employees as well.

After a positive reaction to a four-week trial period, the airport extended the food truck service indefinitely. “This program is primarily a response to airport employee suggestions, so the airport only collects a nominal fee of $300 per month for this operation,” said SFO spokesman Doug Yakel.

Service plazas: Beefed-up cellphone lots

FINAL APPROACH at DEN Airport – Courtesy DIA

At the end of this week, the Indianapolis International Airport plans to open a service plaza with a Circle K convenience store and 24-hour fueling station offering car washing, automobile detailing and quick-lube services. Next month, the first of two restaurants will open on the site.

“This arrangement provides a new land lease for the airport authority and, after three years, a percentage of gross sales,” said airport spokesman Carlo Bertolini. “It will generate a new source of non-airline revenue, which is a critical piece of our strategy.”

And on Sept. 24, Denver International Airport will open a 269-space cellphone lot called Final Approach. It will provide free Wi-Fi, a children’s play area, indoor seating and restrooms, flight info boards and four restaurants, including a 24-hour drive-thru Dunkin’ Donuts.

“Our customers asked for enhanced service, and we are delivering,” said Kim Day, Denver International Airport’s manager of aviation.

The cost of the approximately $5.5 million facility at DEN was paid for by the site operator, Pacific Convenience & Fuels, and airport officials said that in addition to generating more than 100 jobs, Final Approach is expected to generate $2.3 million in gross sales and more than $421,000 in revenue for the airport in its first year.

(My story about food trucks and service plazas at airports first appeared on the CNBC Road Warrior).

Root Down opens at Denver Int’l Airport

September 2, 2013Harriet BaskasFoodAirport food, Denver International Airport, Root Down, trave

28 AUG 2013: The grand opening of Root Down in Concourse C at Denver International Airport in Denver, CO. Justin Tafoya/Rich Clarkson and Associates

Courtesy Denver International Airport – Root Down opening

Heading to or through Denver International Airport?

Be sure to check out the newest restaurant to open there: Root Down – on Concourse C.

A branch of a popular local restaurant of the same name, Root Down DIA uses lots of locally sourced ingredients and has plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on the menu.

The decor is also a big draw: there’s a chandelier made of globes (see above), repurposed basketball court flooring, a living wall of herbs and liquor racks made from vintage luggage.

Airport dining upgrades

August 31, 2013Harriet BaskasFoodAirport dining upgrades, Airport food, travel

This holiday weekend travelers can stop in for a bite to eat at Dylan’s Candy Bar, P.F. Chang’s or Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar.

Not at the mall, but at the airport.

PF Chang’s opening at ATL airport. Courtesy ATL

A spate of recent airport ribbon-cuttings for high-profile dining and snack outlets was spurred by changing tastes of travelers, airlines’ decision to pay less for services at the airports and turnover of competitive concession contracts.

Just this week, the first airport branch of P.F. Chang’s opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world’s busiest passenger airport. The airport also celebrated the opening of a food court featuring branches of three local brands, including Piece of Cake, serving cupcakes and other decadent desserts.

“Our concession program is nearly finished with opening 152 new restaurants,” said ATL spokesman Reese McCranie, “and each one has a strong reputation for top-notch food and service.”

At San Diego International Airport, which recently opened a greatly expanded Terminal 2 West, the line-up of new dining outlets includes Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar, Seaside Stack Shack, Stone Brewing Co. and the first Jack in the Box to open in an airport.

This week, SAN opened the doors of an airport branch of Phil’s BBQ, a popular local favorite.

“The Airport Authority worked very hard to make sure that when people land at our airport, they know they’ve landed in San Diego,” said Katie Jones, spokesperson for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “That meant bringing in the local flavors that make our city unique: San Diego’s Thai, BBQ, craft beers, wine bars and local coffee establishments are now available in our airport.”

Among the reasons for the shift is travelers’ changing tastes.

“You’ll still see the national brands such as McDonald’s at many airports, but LAX, Phoenix, Minneapolis and, hopefully, soon the Chicago airports and the airport in Fort Lauderdale are incorporating a great many high-profile local and national brands,” said Ramon Lo, editorial director of Airport Revenue News.

Air travelers are also becoming more sophisticated and savvy consumers, said Ellery Plowman, owner of airport concessions consulting firm Elleco.

“They are demanding choices: They want the standard hamburger from McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Burger King when they have the family; they want a hip gourmet build-your-own hamburger when they have a meeting; and they want a slider in an elegant oasis when they are alone.”

The march of new, memorable munchies at airports isn’t limited to the main meals.

Last week self-sustaining Detroit Metropolitan Airport celebrated the opening of the first airport branch of Dylan’s Candy Bar. That might not only fatten passengers’ waistlines, but the airport’s bottom line.

“Having the very first airport venue for a fun and popular brand such as Dylan’s is directly in line with our strategy to generate important revenue by offering customers the kind of cool stuff they want to buy while traveling,” said airport spokesperson Scott Wintner.

With airlines cutting back on what they’re willing—or able—to pay airports, non-aeronautical revenue has become increasingly important. According to Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA,) food revenue at airports now ranks third in non-aeronautical revenue, after parking and retail/duty-free.

“Airports recognize that when passengers are provided a variety of restaurant options, revenues go up and so does passenger satisfaction, which is key,” said Debbie McElroy, ACI-NA interim president.

That’s why she says airports are getting competitive about snagging the first branch of a popular or unusual food venue. And not just in cities where passengers have multiple airport options, such as New York and Washington.

“There may be a restaurant that I particularly like or want to try and that may entice me to make my connection through a particular airport,” said McElroy.

My story about dining upgrades at airports first appeared on CNBC Road Warrior )

Pop-up dining at Copenhagen Airport

August 29, 2013Harriet BaskasEvents, FoodAirport food, Copenhagen Airport, Pop-up restaurants

Oh to be stuck at Copenhagen Airport sometime sometime before the end of September!

As part of this year’s Copenhagen Cooking event, which is taking place all over the city, the Copenhagen Airport is hosting a pop-up restaurant –CPH Nordic Dining – right in the terminal through September 29th.

A summer-inspired Nordic menu of Michelin caliber meals is being cooked up by 3 well-known Danish chefs in open kitchens right in the terminal – and they’re serving the meals on Royal Copenhagen, Holmegaard and Rosendahl tableware.

The chefs are taking turns running the restaurant and creating menus, but each is putting together a Nordic Tasting menu of a light starter, main dish and dessert that will cost you 279 DKK – about $50 US – and be available starting each day at 11:30 a.m.

Those passing through the airport earlier in the day might try the Nordic breakfast being served at the pop-up restaurant. A small breakfast (99 DKK; about $18 US) includes a pot of curd with oats and Danish honey, curd with sprinkling of rye bread and cane sugar, Jarlsberg and Kornblomst cheese, marmalade, bread and butter. The large breakfast (149 DKK; about $26) includes everything in the small breakfast plus meats and a sandwich.

Find more details – and the tasting menus (which appear to be only in Danish) here.

Fresh food options at DTW, ATL & SAN airports

August 25, 2013Harriet BaskasFoodAirport food, Dylan's Candy Bar, P.F. Chang's, Phils BBQ

If you’re traveling through Detroit Metro Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or San San Diego International Airport this week, here are some new snack spots to look for:

Courtesy Dylan’s Candy Bar

Detroit Metro Airport is now the home of the first airport branch of Dylan’s Candy Bar.

On Monday, August 26, 2013, the first airport location of P.F. Chang’s opens at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with a ribbon cutting at 3 pm on Concourse A.

And on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. to noon, San Diego International Airport will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the opening of Phil’s BBQ in Terminal 2 West.

I smell samples.

Winning US airport restaurants

August 11, 2013Harriet BaskasAirports, FoodAirport food, airport restaurants

I had the honor of nominating twenty restaurants in US airports for a summer “Best of” contest put together by the folks at 10Best for USA Today Travel.

Putting together a list of just twenty places was a challenge in part because so many airports now have really great snacking and dining options.

But I picked a good assortment and settled on twenty to ask travelers to choose from.

Here are the ten airport restaurants that got the most votes.

You can learn more about each of them here.

Harry and Izzy’s – Indianapolis International Airport
Tortas Frontera – Chicago O’Hare
Obrycki’s – Baltimore-Washington Intl
42nd St. Oyster Bar – Raleigh Durham Intl
Lemonade – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
French Meadow Bakery & Cafe – Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport (MSP)
Salt Lick – Austin-Bergstrom
Vino Volo – Various
Chickie’s and Pete’s – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Legal Sea Foods – Boston Logan Airport (BOS)

Does this list skip one of your favorites? Please add it below.