Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Travel Tidbits from an airport near you 

Events, , ,

Multi-sensory room at Miami International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and several others have them.

Now Miami International Airport has one too.

Miami International Airport now has a multi-sensory room just beyond the Concourse D TSA security checkpoint. The room provides a quiet area for young passengers with cognitive or developmental disabilities such as autism.

The dimly lit space includes sensory-soothing fixtures, including an aquatic bubble tub, wall puzzles, cushioned seats and a light projector. Hours: seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Party at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Amy’s Ice Cream is back at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and a good time to indulge is today during the kick-off party for the refreshed Asleep at the Wheel Stage in the center of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Located near Gate 19, there’s a 9-foot neon lighted guitar spinning above the area and seating for 190 patrons.

The party runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a ribbon cutting ceremony and performances by Ray Benson, Heybale Band, and Love & Chaos.

NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell will be on hand to help celebrate the Heart of Austin area of the airport that includes the Saxon Pub Bar, Joe’s Coffee and Earl Campbell taco-themed food truck.

Fresh art at John Wayne Airport


A new photographic exhibit at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA by Jane Szabo’s is titled “Family Matters” and uses childhood posessions and simple objects to tell a complicated story of family dynamics.

After moving her 86-year-old father and 91-year-old mother into assisted living, Szabo began to organize the contents of their home of 36 years. “Family Matters” is a result of the final selection of treasures she kept before placing her parent’s home for sale.

Fiesta at San Antonio International Airport

San Antonio International Airport held its Second Annual Fiesta San Jacinto Day Parade recently, with mariachi music, parade floats, mascots and festive colors through both terminals of the airport.

Pet hotel opens at Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport

Pets, ,

 

It almost makes you want to get a pet – just so you can leave it at the airport.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now has a ‘pet hotel’ combined with a covered parking facility, making it easy for travelers to park their cars and drop off their pets for boarding.

So everyone gets a vacation.

Bark&Zoom is being operated by Austin’s own Taurus Academy, and offers dog and cat boarding, a pet pool (!), and indoor and outdoor play yards.  Both scheduled and emergency veterinary appointments are available.

Parking services, offered by the company’s sister organization, Park&Zoom, include valet services and car car services.

Better yet, the facility will be open 24/7, so people and their pets can get reunited right away.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Airports, Free Stuff, Holidays, , ,

AUS_Guitar

I admit it.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Maybe it’s because our birthdays are just one day apart.

Or maybe it’s because this was the first airport I visited right after my first book about airports – called what else but Stuck at the Airport – came out in the pre-9/11 summer and AUS was the first airport where I spotted the book on a store shelf.

Or maybe it’s just because, with almost two dozen live music performances a week and some great permanent and temporary art exhibits, including the ‘big hair’ etchings in the women’s bathrooms, the airport is so much fun to visit.

And, oh yeah, it’s in Austin. One hip, somewhat weird, city.

So, I’m sending Happy Birthday wishes to the airport, which is celebrating its 15th birthday on May 23 with cookies for passengers, a drawing for 15,000 airline miles and a special performance by Ray Benson, of Aleep at the Wheel, on Friday at 2:30 pm at the airport’s Asleep at the Wheel stage.

You don’t need to be there to be entered in the drawing for 15,000 airline miles (there will be two winners.) But you do need to enroll in the Thanks Again, customer rewards program by Thursday, May 22, 2014. Do it now.

Austin_Keep Austin Weird

Kid Band Week at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Entertainment, Music, ,

Each week, travelers passing through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport have 15 chances to enjoy live music..

Next week there’s an extra special treat: the Austin airport is hosting the sixth annual “Kid Band Week.”

From Monday, July 16 to Friday, July 20, 2012, young bands will play on the Asleep at the Wheel stage at Ray Benson’s Roadhouse (post-security) near Gate 10.

There will be five performances, one each day, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Here’s the 2012 Kid Band Week line:

Monday: Mikah Young (Singer Songwriter)

Tuesday: Broch Evans and Greyson Weedman from the band Taco and the Enchiladas (Tunes You Know)

Wednesday: Charlie Belle (So Pop)

Thursday: The Aviators (Rock and Roll)

Friday: The Peterson Brothers (Down Home Blues)

 

SXSW bound? The fun starts at the Austin airport

Music, , ,

Going to the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival?

Lucky you!

If you’re flying to Austin, make sure to listen up when you get to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.  As in past years, the SXSW music festival begins as soon as you walk off the plane with the first sanctioned SXSW performances of the music conference.


(Carolyn Wonderland. Photo courtesy Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport)

During SXSW, the airport’s unique live music offerings expand from 15 regular shows a week to a total of 27 performances from March 12-19.

Beyond the center stage at Ray Benson’s Roadside, The Saxon Pub, Lefty’s, Earl Campbell’s Sports Bar, and Austin City Limits/Waterloo Records & Video are all hosting extra shows for arriving and departing SXSW attendees.

The 13thAnnual SXSW Airport Showcase kicks off on the stage at Ray Benson’s Roadhouse on  Monday, March 12 with the band MilkDrive (alternative folk strings) from 1-3 p.m. Warren Hood follows with acoustic Americana from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

You can see the full line-up here. 

Monday, March 19 is the SXSW send-off, with Austin blues rocker Carolyn Wonderland performing at the airport from 1-3 p.m. followed by Nano Whitman (folk pop) from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Enjoy!