Oregon’s Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), located in the heart of Central Oregon, is the state’s 3rd largest airport and is served by 5 airlines: American Airlines, Alaska Air, Avelo Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.
Travelers can fly non-stop from here to Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Seattle.
Stuck at the Airport stopped by for a visit and spotted (more than) 5 Things to Love About Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM).
1: Compassionate Therapy Dogs
Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Teams are often on duty in the ticketing, baggage, and gate areas of the terminal.
2. Art at RDM
For a small airport, RDM has a lot of art.
Look for temporary art installations and lots of permanent art pieces, including the hard-to-miss section of a Western Juniper tree by the TSA checkpoint. Common in the high desert of Central Oregon, this juniper tree is thought to be more than 500 years old.
Central Oregon is prime Bigfoot (or Sasquatch)-hunting country. And the Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is probably the only place you are assured of spotting the elusive creature.
When RDM’s Sasquatch sculpture first moved in, he was carrying a pink suitcase. These days he’s helping the airport get ready for its terminal expansion project.
4. RDM’s “FLYBRARY”
Take a book, leave a book
RDM has two locations for its “Flybrary” – one post-security and one in the bag claim area – where passengers are encouraged to leave a book that they’ve finished and take a new one left by another traveler or supplied by the airport.
5. Play areas for kids
Like a lot of airports, Redmond Municipal Airport has play areas for kids. A nice bonus here is that in addition to the post-security play area, RDM has a good-sized play area in the bag claim area. We spotted these kids having a great time in the toy helicopter.
Bonus: Sasquatch and Yeti Poo
We’re not sure why, but locally-themed souvenir ‘poo’ (usually chocolate-covered nut) is a big seller in airport gift shops.
At Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) Sasquatch and Yeti Poo – here it’s cotton candy – is one of the top sellers.
Our ‘5 Things We Love About’ series highlighting features and amenities at airports around the world continues with London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW).
We have airport mascot Gary Gatwick to help highlight some of the amenities.
1. CONVENIENCE
Most travelers only think of Heathrow Airport when they think of booking flights to London.
But getting to central London from Gatwick Airport is really quite easy. And fast.
Gatwick is about 30 miles south of central London and the non-stop Gatwick Express rail service makes the trip to London’s Victoria Station in just 30 minutes. And Victoria Station is very centrally located.
On the train, travelers will find free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and places to store suitcases.
There’s even a “Delay Repay” offer if you’re arrival is delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Thameslink trains also make the journey easy from Gatwick Airport to London Bridge and other destinations.
2. HOTEL OPTIONS AT GATWICK AIRPORT
For quick naps or a freshen-ups once you land, the YotelAir London Gatwick Airport, located landside in the South Terminal, offers super-compact ‘cabins’ for stays as short as four hours.
Gatwick Airport also offers travelers the choice of staying overnight at the Sofitel London Gatwick or the Hilton London Gatwick, both owned by the Arora Group. We found rates at both hotels lower than at the corresponding properties at Heathrow.
3. FIRST AIRPORT GIN DISTILLERY
The world’s first airport distillery is at Gatwick Airport.
You’ll find it tucked in the corner of the Nicholas Culpeper Pub & Dining venue, which is located pre-security in Gatwick’s North Terminal.
The distillery produces small batch, bespoke London Gatwick Airport Gin that is used in many of the specialty cocktails at the restaurant.
If the distiller is on site, you might get even get invited in for a tour and a taste.
4. GOURMET DINING AT GATWICK
Juniper & Co, located post-security in the North Terminal, offera a menu featuring high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
There’s a kid’s menu; a curated bar menu that includes a map showing how far away some the specialty gins, wines, beers, and juices are made; a breakfast menu; and an all-day menu with dishes using a wide range of locally-sourced ingredients.
Super fresh meals are made with salmon from H. Forman & Son (48 miles from Gatwick), Wells Farm bacon, sausages, and eggs (farmed 26 miles away), artisan bread freshly baked by Flour Station (60 miles from Gatwick), and a great cheese plate made with a great assortment of local cheeses.
5. AIRPORT MASCOT GARY GATWICK
For entertainment and engagement, Gatwick Airport has a mascot named Gary Gatwick.
A small version of the teddy bear mascot can be spotted out and about in the city, the region, and around the world. But in the airport, a full-size Gary Gatwick will often be found in the terminal and at special airport events.
We are back with another episode of “5 Things We Love About,” highlighting the features and amenities of airports around the country and the world.
Today we are landing at Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) in South Texas. CRP is served by three airlines – American Eagle, Southwest, and United Airlines – and is the airport area visitors use on their way to and from sport and bay fishing, the USS Lexington, and the Texas State Aquarium.
Here are some of our favorite amenities at Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP).
1. The terminal building at CRP
In addition to the welcoming ‘waves’ at the front of the building, the gate areas of the Hayden W. Head Terminal offer passengers panoramic views of the entire airfield. In addition to commercial aircraft and business and corporate jets, passengers may spot Navy Trainers doing “touch and goes” and taxiing.
2. The Art at Corpus Christi International Airport
Where the Sun Meets the Sea” by Shan Shan Sheng is an impressive overhead blown glass piece designed for this terminal. The airport also has an exhibit filled with items on loan from the Art Museum of South Texas.
Texas Boots – ceramic – by -William Wilhelm
3. Selfie Stations at Corpus Christi Int’l Airport
4. USS Lexington Model at CRP
CRP airport is home to this great model of the USS Lexington CV-16, which is now a museum about 7 miles from the airport. According to the museum, this ship was commissioned in 1943 and set more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation. The ship was also the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy when decommissioned in 1991.
Here is a detail from the model.
There is also a display of photos about the history of the airport and the airfield inside the Co-Pilot Coffee Shop, post-security. The images are from the Doc McGregor photograph collection at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History.
Gyroplane visits Corpus Christi in 1932
5. Souvenir Shopping at CRP
6. BONUS: Go Team Therapy Dogs at CRP
CRP is the training ground for the non-profit Go Team, which trains dogs and handlers. Each therapy dog has its own calling card.
Did we miss your favorite feature or amenity at Corpus Christ International Airport (CRP)? Would you like to see your favorite airport featured in the “5 Thing We Love About” series on Stuck at The Airport?
Our “5 Things We Love About…” series celebrates features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.
Today we land at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Santa Ana, about 35 miles south of Los Angeles, between the cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach, and 14 miles from Disneyland.
Keep in mind that some of the amenities we mention at SNA Airport may not be available due to current health concerns. We’re confident they’ll be back.
If we miss a feature that you love at John Wayne Airport (SNA), please let us know in the comments sections. And if there’s an airport you’d like to see featured in the series, please speak up.
SNA: 5 Things We Love About John Wayne Airport.
1. The OC Air Pass
We’re not sure why didn’t know this, but John Wayne Airport has a gate pass program, the OC AirPASS, which allows guests without boarding passes access to the secure side of the Terminal.
The program is currently still operating, which means pass-holders can shop, dine, watch planes, and send off or greet friends and relatives at their gates from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To apply for a pass, check-in at Information Booth B in Terminal B (Lower Level, Baggage Claim) with a valid government-issued ID.
2. Live music at John Wayne Airport
John Wayne Airport has an impressive roster of professional musicians who perform live in the Terminal as part of the JWAlive program.
Twice a month these performances are live-streamed on Facebook and Instagram as well.
For a sampling, here’s Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day’ performed by the JWAlive musicians.
https://youtu.be/HHAZNd_Iraw
3. THE JWA AirPAWS team
John Wayne Airport launched its AirPAWS Therapy Dog Program in late February 2020. The program works in partnership with Orange County Animal Allies to bring trained therapy dogs to the airport terminal to make everyone’s journey a little less stressful.
4. The JWA Art Program
Flight of Ideas, by Beth Nybeck
In addition to permanent public art installations in the terminal, the art program at John Wayne airport hosts museum-quality exhibitions in the terminal throuhgou the year.
Some of the hang glides on display at JWA
5. The Helping Hands program at SNA
Traveling through an airport is usually fun and exciting. But all those people, the bright lights, the odd noises, the security checkpoint experience, and the crowds can be overstimulating and overwhelming.
John Wayne Airport has a program called “Helping Hands” to help people especially sensitive to these situations and those traveling with people who may have a hidden disability, such as autism.
The Helping Hands team can do a lot to help make the airport journey smoother. The team can also provide an optional yellow bracelet to signal to airport employees that they may need to spend a little more time helping the bracelet wearer with for check-in, security screening, or other activities.
Did we miss one of your favorite features at John Wayne Airport (SNA)? Don’t forget to add it in the comments section below.
Today we’re landing at California’s Long Beach Airport. Founded in 1923 it is the oldest municipally owned airport in California.
Keep in mind that some amenities we list here may not currently be available due to health concerns. We are confident they’ll be back.
5 Thing We Love About Long Beach Airport
1. The outdoor atrium at LGB
The open-air atrium at Long Beach Airport has palm trees and a drought-tolerant garden. It is a rare treat to have an outdoor space an airport and this one even has a wine and beer bar (4th Street Vine) with a fire pit.
2. Outdoor boarding at LGB
LGB’s boarding experience harkens back to the golden age of flying; the outdoor boarding takes advantage of the year-round Southern California sunshine.
3. Art and History at Long Beach Airport
The LGB terminal was built in 1941 in the Streamline Moderne style, with smooth walls, flat roofs, railings and porthole windows that make it look more like a ship than an airport terminal.
The airport also boasts floor mosaics and wall murals designed as part of the Works Project Administration (WPA) in the 1940s
Newer pieces include the sculpture below, by Aaron De La Cruz. Before being purchased by LGB, the untitled work was a temporary installation at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. There it was displayed vertically.
To accommodate LGB’s layout and keep sight lights to the airfield open, the artist’s team reconfigured the piece so it would hang from the ceiling.
“The sculpture is now in the shape of an arc to represent the motion of flights taking off and landing,” says the airport.
4. Local dining options at LGB
All the dining venues at LGB are local, which is pretty unusual for an airport.
Options include Long Beach Burger Bar, Polly’s Coffee, Sweet Jill’s Bakery, George’s Greek Café, Boathouse on the Bay, and the 4th Street Vine Wine & Beer Bar mentioned above.
5. Shopping at LGB
Some airports sell snow globes in the gift shops. But at Long Beach Airport travelers can pick up sand globes.
Bonus: two cool videos from Long Beach Airport
Here are two fun videos from the Long Beach Airport website.
This first one features Earl S. Daugherty, who was a pioneer aviator, an advocate for the creation of the Long Beach Airport, and one of the earliest aviation photographers. He was known locally as the “King of Aviation” and is the person for whom the airfield is named for.
This video shows the barnstorming legend flying over Long Beach in the 1920s.
The expertly edited film below shows a day at Long Beach squeezed into two and a half minutes.
Did we miss your favorite feature of Long Beach Airport? Let us known in the comments section below.
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?
5 Things We Love About Orlando International Airport (MCO)
It’s another installment of the “5 Things We Love About…” series on Stuck at The Airport, celebrating some of the services, amenities, and features we love about airports around the world.
We’ll (try to) keep these lists to just five items. But if you want to add a note about a bonus feature you love, please add it in the comment section below.
And if you want to nominate an airport for the series, or sponsor one of the “5 Things We Love About ..” entry in the series, get in touch.
In addition to “The Traveler” (above) by Duane Hanson, MCO’s art collection includes some real treasures, including “Space, Time and Energy” by Jacob Lawrence and a series of four terrazzo “Welcoming Gardens” by Scott Parsons (below) that serve as welcome mats at the airport.
Space, Time and Energy, by Jacob Lawrence
2. MCO’s airport tower
The air traffic control tower at MCO is not only pretty and quite recognizable for its design, at 345 feet it’s one of the tallest ATC towers in the United States.
3. The atrium at Orlando International Airport
The main terminal atrium at Orlando International Airport serves as part of the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. The atrium also features a water fountain, palm trees, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light. All rare amenities at an airport.
4. MCO’s carpet – and matching socks
MCO’s airside carpet is quite photogenic and so popular that the airport has socks to celebrate the carpet. The airport has several other MCO-themed socks as well. You can’t buy them: the airport saves them to use as prizes for online contests and for surprise giveaway events in the terminal.
We don’t even have any of theses socks in our our sock drawer.
5. An aquarium, a giant screen + photo op spots
MCO has a 3,000-gallon food court fish tank containing eels and 40-50 fish. If you’re lucky, you might get to see a fun show when the tank is cleaned.
Cleaning our 3,000 gallon food court fish tank is a big job. This is how we do it. The weekly job ensures the 40-50 fish inside stay happy & healthy. 🐠 pic.twitter.com/qDo8kOOTlE
Other cool attractions we love at Orlando International Airport include the 36-foot-long hi-res video screen outside the Magic of Disney store in the atrium (across from security checkpoint for gates 70-129).
For visitors who didn’t get enough photos at area theme parks, there are photo ops spots outside of several stores, including an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center shop store and minions and a velociraptor at the Universal Store.
And don’t even get us started on the airport souvenirs.
Stay tuned for more in our “5 Things We Love About ….” series.
Want to nominate an airport or sponsor one of the entries? Leave a note in the comment section and we’ll be in touch.
Welcome to another installment of our new “5 Things We Love About…” series celebrating some of the services, amenities, and features we love about airports around the world.
To keep things moving along we are keeping this series to just five things we love about each airport.
If you want to nominate an airport for the series or add a note about a feature you love about an airport beyond the five items we here, please add it in the comment section below.
And if you want to sponsor one of the “5 Things We Love About..” entries in the series, get in touch.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is the first and, so far, the only airport in the United States to offer free live-streaming of ToonMobile, a compilation of kid-friendly content from Warner Media’s Cartoon Network.
GSP also a live stream of the CNN Airport Network that includes live sporting events such as NCAA March Madness Tournament games, professional football, and basketball.
2: Bespoke beer
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport partnered with local brewery RJ Rockers Brewing Company to create a special beer.
The Flight Line GSP craft brew is “infused with the energy and optimism of Upstate South Carolina and its namesake airport,” and is available only at GSP.
3: Airside Garden
GSP’s outdoor garden is located post-security and features a water and sculpture garden with benches and cafe tables surrounded by a grove of trees and hedges. The garden is an original feature at the airport and dates to 1962, with a refresh in 2016.
4: Art. Lots of art.
GSP has more than a dozen pieces of art throughout the terminal and most of it is inspired by and reflective of the region.
“Souvenir of a Mountain Garden” was inspired by early 20th century hand-painted postcards. Gently flowing water & lush rhododendron evoke the nearby mountains. “The idea was to create a memory of your experience to take with you as you are leaving,” says artist Michael Krondl. pic.twitter.com/KYCCZMK94l
Located near downtown Miami on 3,230 acres of land, Miami
International Airport (MIA) was founded in 1928 and is now the country’s third-busiest
airport for international passengers and one of the busiest airports in the
world.
MIA serves more than 45 million passengers a year with a
line-up of more than 100 air carriers offering flights to more than 160
destinations, including more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than
any other U.S. airport.
Garage: The Dolphin Garage serves North Terminals D
and E. The Flamingo Garage serves Central Terminals F and G and South Terminals
H and J. Electric charging stations available.
Daily parking rate $17.00 (January 2020).
Valet: located in Departures, on the 2nd level of both Dolphin (North) and Flamingo (South) garages.
MIA’s Cell Phone Waiting lot has 60
spaces and is located just off LeJeune Road, heading north or south.
Getting to and from Miami International Airport
Ground transportation options at Miami
International Airport include car rentals, taxis/shuttles/limos and public
transportation.
Car rentals at MIA: More than a
dozen car rental agencies are in the MIA Car Rental Center, which is accessible
via the MIA Mover, located on the 3rd level between the Dolphin and
Flamingo garages.
Public transportation at MIA: Options
include the Metrorail (Green and Orange lines) to a wide variety of Miami-Dade
County destinations); TriRail; the Miami Beach Bus (Fare: $2.25) and other Metrobus routes.
Getting around Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport
has three levels: Baggage claim is on Level 1; Departures, check-in and
ticketing are on Level 2; and moving walkway between terminals are on Level 3.
Moving walkways travel from the Central
Terminal to the MIA Mover Station, which connects to the Rental Car Center.
Above the North Terminal Concourse D, MIA’s Skytrain
runs from one end of the concourse to the other, with 4 stations tops.
Wi-Fi at Miami International Airport
Complimentary Wi-Fi (with advertising) is
available throughout MIA via the MIA-WiFi Network. Other services are available
via Boingo for a fee. Power charging stations are located throughout the
airport.
Relief areas at Miami International Airport for pets and services animals
For pets and service animals, MIA has enclosed
areas with synthetic grass, fire hydrants, disposable bags, and sinks.
Pet/service animal relief
areas at MIA are located post-security in Concourse D, F, G and J. Outdoor
areas are at the arrival level in Concourse D, E, and J.
Pet therapy program at Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport’s pet therapy
program, the Miami Hound Machine, brings certified dogs and their owners into
the airport to de-stress and hang out with travelers. The team’s schedule and
appearances are shared on the MIA’s social media accounts.
Play area for kids at Miami International Airport
Plane Fun is a unique, interactive children’s area. Located
Concourse E, near Gate E5 and accessible from Concourse D as well.
Lounges at Miami International Airport
In addition to VIP clubs and lounges at MIA for American
Airlines and for other airlines that welcome guests based on ticket category,
membership or credit card affiliation, there is a Military Hospitality Lounge pre-security
on the 2nd level of the airport, and a Club America lounge that
offers days passes.
Dining at Miami International Airport
MIA has a wide variety of dining options,
including venues such as Bongos Cuban Café, Café Versailles and Café La Carreta
venues offering Cuban and other local and regional cuisines. Including. MIA’s restaurants, cafes,
bars and grab-n-go options also include Air Margaritaville, Shula’s Bar
& Grill, and Viena, the farm-to-table restaurant on the 7th
floor of the Miami International Airport Hotel. See the full list of food options at
MIA Airport.
Shopping at Miami International Airport
There are a wide variety of shopping options at Miami
International Airport. Local and unusual shops include Bayside
Brush (hairbrushes and grooming essentials), Books4Travel, Britto (Brazilian
pop-artist-inspired gifts and accessories), Cuba Crafters (hand-rolled cigars),
Cubavera and Havana Collection (fashion) and many shops selling Miami and
Florida-themed souvenirs. Tip: My Ceviche (North
Terminal, Concourse D) packs Florida Stone Crabs to go.
Quiet spaces at Miami International Airport
Travelers at Miami International Airport will
find a yoga room in Terminal H.
A non-denomination chapel is located on the
first level of Terminal D, between arrivals and Carousel 22. A quiet
multisensory room is located on Concourse D, post-security, adjacent to TSA
Checkpoint 4.
Art and exhibitions at Miami International Airport
Historical airport footage and archival
footage of celebrities such as Bob Hope arriving at Miami International Airport
run continuously on the screens of a bank of old-style flight monitors on MIA’s
Concourse F. The clips are from the Wolfson Moving Image at Miami Dade College and include vintage footage of MIA from 1950s and
1960s; celebrities arriving at the airport from the 1950s to the 1980s; home
movies filmed in Miami between the 1920s and 1960s; and the 1940s
Other amenities at Miami International Airport
Other passenger amenities at Miami
International Airport include spas, water bottle refill stations, and
standalone MIAmamas pods for nursing mothers on each concourse,
post-security.
Hotel at Miami International Airport
The pet-friendly Miami International Airport Hotel (MIA Hotel) is inside the airport terminal, on Concourse E, at the Departure level. Day rates are available form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Air Margaritaville is adjacent to the lobby; the Viena farm to table restaurant is on the hotel’s 7th floor.
Activities and attractions nearby Miami International Airport
Staff at the MIA Information Center on the 2nd
level of Central Terminal E can offer ideas on what to do near Miami
International Airport if you have a long layover between flights.
Gray Line has a shuttle running between the MIA Airport and the Dolphin Mall
($10/roundtrip, includes vouchers and discount coupons.)
