— Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (@PHXSkyHarbor) October 29, 2020
Working on Halloween?
Denver International Airport (DEN) is sharing some Halloween-themed Zoom backgrounds.
It's #spookyseason and we're ready to haunt your Zoom/Team meetings🎃👻🪦. Download one (or all) of the DEN backgrounds to spice up those virtual meetings! Check out all of the backgrounds on our Facebook page: https://t.co/65LJ6dXK39pic.twitter.com/eHgXYU5t3w
Bone-jour! Remember our friend Red Skeleton? He has risen from the dead and is excited to explore and meet new people at ICT. Follow along to see where Red is each day until Halloween. 💀#RedSkeletonICT#AirportTwitterpic.twitter.com/QtJ5Fnno8t
Who wants to come near a skeleton anyway? But seriously, keep 6 ft. away from others while in the terminal. There are social distancing labels on the floor to guide you.#RedSkeletonICT#AirportTwitterpic.twitter.com/PkTDfjIcCE
Red wants to remind you to wear a face mask, keep 6 ft. away from others, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer! There is a vending machine located on the main floor if you need a face mask or PPE supplies. #RedSkeletonICT#AirportTwitterpic.twitter.com/rmaBlzHdfr
We may not be flying much, or at all, right now but airports are still doing their thing with music, art, and tasty food and drink.
We appreciate that. And we’re paying attention.
Denver International Airport (DEN) has launched the Taste of DEN series offering recipes from the chefs at popular restaurants at the airport.
In the first episode, Tom’s Urban Kitchen & Brewery Chef Robert Garton cookes up a Prime Rib Dip Sandwich. A video from DEN’s Root Down Kitchen is promised next.
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Hortencia and Rachel from the art and programming team at Dallas Love Field (DAL) Airport were kind enough to put together a video showing us how to make traditional paper flowers.
Throughout her Performing Arts Residency at SAN Margaret Noble is offering a series of downloadable audio-visual works as part of her [Sky][Muse] collection.
The first set is called ‘Compass’ and includes two ‘experiences:’
Have you been through an airport security checkpoint recently?
We have. And it has us worrying that as passenger numbers increase TSOs and travelers will too easily revert to the pre-COVID checkpoint mentality and not pay attention to social distancing and safety.
That’s why we’re not even waiting until Friday to declare the ‘Airport Amenity of the Week.’
We’re giving the nod to Denver International Airport (DEN), which is the first airport in the U.S. to begin using the VeriFLY app to let passengers reserve a checkpoint time and then travel to the gates in a reserved train car.
Here’s how it works:
Travelers download the VeriFLY app (only available for iPhone for now), create an account, and then reserve a time to through the checkpoint on their travel date. There’s a 15-minute show-up window and there are a limited number of reservations per hour.
Passengers must fill out a health survey within 24 hours of their flight. Then, on the day of their flight, they go to the designated VeriFLY lane at the south screening checkpoint at their reserved time.
A touch-less, electronic gate will scan the access code on the app. And temperatures will be taken before passengers move to either a standard or Precheck TSA screening lane.
Once through security, passengers using the VeriFLY system will travel to their respective concourses in a reserved train car. For social distancing, only 12 VeriFLY travelers will be allowed in the train car at a time.
Face masks/covering are, of course, required for all travelers.
We hope – and expect – more airports will begin using this system.
Today we are giving some love to Denver International Airport (DEN), from it whipped marshmallow-peak tents to the aliens we’re sure are somewhere in – or below – all those acres.
Keep in mind that some of the features we love at DEN may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will be back.
If we’ve missed an amenity you love at Denver International Airport, leave a note in the comments section below. The same goes for suggesting an airport you would like to see featured in a future “5 Things We Love About…” episode.
5 Things We Love About Denver International Airport (DEN)
1. The DEN Tents
The 21 “tents” that make up the main terminal at Denver International Airport are described as echoing the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Native American teepees, billowing thunderheads or, perhaps, canvas-covered wagons toiling westward over the Great Plains.
2. The art at DEN
DEN is known for its unusual and eclectic art collection.
One favorite is “Mustang”. Nicknamed, Blucifer, the blue 32-foot cast-fiberglass sculpture with neon red eyes is hard to miss on the Peña Boulevard approach to the airport. “Mustang” was created by Luis Jiménez who, sadly, died after a piece of the sculpture fell on him while he was working on it.
DEN has more than 100 dogs and one actual cat in its CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) program.
4. DEN’s Talking Gargoyle
“Notre Denver,” by Terry Allen, is an artwork featuring two cast bronze gargoyles sitting inside suitcases that watch over the east and west baggage claim areas.
These two gargoyles are charming, but they don’t talk. And due to construction at DEN, this work is in storage through 2021.
But DEN’s talking gargoyle, named Gregoriden, is on duty.
He’s set on a timer and says something to passersby every 5-10 minutes. Visit him on level 5 in the terminal near Southwest baggage claim.
5. DEN’s Gate Expansion Project
The gate expansion project at DEN will add 39 new gates across all three concourses. Better yet, the project is adding a post-security outdoor patio on each concourse featuring pet relief areas, outdoor seating, and fire pits.
It is definitely a sign of the times. And the airport amenity of the week.
To help passengers and employees comply with the face mask covering requirement at Denver International (DEN), the airport now has two vending machines that sell face masks as well as sanitizing wipes.
The vending machines are stocked with:
Two-pack disposable mask with one gel sanitizer packet and two single-use alcohol towelettes: $6/package
Two-pack KN95 mask with one gel sanitizer packet and two single-use alcohol towelettes: $12/package
Travelers will find the vending machines at the North end of Level 6 near the restrooms on the west side and on the South end of Level 5 around the corner from Boulder Beer Tap House on the west side.
Several DEN airport shops are now selling face masks and other hygiene items as well.
DEN isn’t the first airport in the United States to install a vending machine stocked with masks and sanitizing items.
DEN’s event will take place in the center of the Jeppesen Terminal on Friday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Adoptable puppies from Denver’s Dumb Friends League will play in Denver International Airports’ fifth Puppy Bowl. Members of DEN’s Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) will serve as “rufferrees”.
The rules? Who cares – these are puppies.
Here are are few photos from past DEN Puppy Bowls, including some of the fun giveaways travelers can take home.
Good news for passengers during this busy travel season.
As the busy holiday travel season kicks into gear, we’ve gathered up some airport news that may make your journey as wee bit smoother.
Concert at Sea-Tac Airport
At noon on Friday, November 22, Washington State native soul and R&B singer Allen Stone, will perform a live show in Central Terminal featuring songs from his new album, Building Balance.
The performance will be live-streamed Sea-Tac Airport’s Facebook and will celebrate the expansion of the already robust live music program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Located on the outdoor DEN plaza, between the main terminal and the Westin Hotel, the rink will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through January 20.
There’s no fee to skate. And there are free skate rentals as
the on-side “Skate Shop” Airstream trailer near the ice rink.
The ice rink will feature music daily and host special
activities and performances on the ice throughout the skating season including
Colorado Avalanche Ice Patrol, Denver Figure Skating Club, E-Gals Ice Crew,
curling lessons, little tykes’ hockey and more.
Holiday Open House at Pittsburgh Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport will its annual open house this year on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to all who register, the in-terminal event features shopping and dining specials, live music, kids’ entertainment and visits with Santa. Registration closes December 4.
Here’s a rundown of the entertainment:
Juggler: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Balloon Artist: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Touch-A-Truck: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Face Painting: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children’s Museum Activity: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lovebettie: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Photos with Santa: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Caricature Artist: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Airbrush Tattoo Artist: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Pierogies: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
SFO Airport pilots premium Uber pick-up
To reduce congestion at curbsides, in June
2019 San Francisco International Airport
(SFO) moved domestic terminal pickups for ride-hailing services Uber, Lyft and
Wingz away from the terminal curbside to the 5th floor of the Domestic Hourly
Parking Garage, with pickups in the International Terminal at the center island
of the Departures level roadway.
Now, just in time for the holiday travel season, SFO has kicked off a two-month pilot program with Uber to offer a premium curbside pickup option for travelers.
Passengers who choose a premium Uber product, including Uber
Comfort, Uber Select, and Uber XL, Uber Black and Uber Black SUV will be picked
up curbside at designated locations in each Domestic Terminal: Terminal 1 at
Door 9; Terminal 2 at Doors 5 and 6; Terminal 3 at Doors 12 and 13.
Pickups
at the International Terminal will continue in the current location, which is at
the center island of the Departure level roadway.
Passengers
choosing (basic) UberX and Uber Pool in the Domestic Terminals must still go to
the domestic hourly parking garage for pickup.
Starting November 22, DEN’s ice-skating rink will be
in the pre-security area on the DEN Plaza, which is between the airport terminal
and the Westin hotel.
Time on the ice is free. And, recognizing that not everyone has their own ice skates, or travels with them, there is free skate rental as well.
DEN’s skating rink hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from November 22 through January 20, 2020. As a bonus, on Friday afternoons there will be hot chocolate, hot cider and a variety of extra winter activities, including live entertainment.
Skating at the TWA Hotel at JFK
This year there will an ice-skating rink created at the TWA Hotel across from JetBlue Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) as well.
The custom 56-by-44-foot Runway Rink will be
created near the hotel’s 1958 Lockheed Constellation Connie airplane-turned-cocktail
lounge and operate seven days a week starting November 30 and running through February
2020.
While skating shows are planned, time on the ice at the TWA Hotel’s Runway Rink won’t be free. Admission will be $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. Skate rentals will $10 ($8 for kids under 12).
Hours:
Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 9 PM
Friday from 4 PM to 10 PM
Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM
The TWA Hotel will also be selling retro knit hats and scarves as well as beers, Sno-Caps candy and other snacks.
Skate in a Winter Wonderland
If you’re traveling to or through Germany’s Munich Airport (MUC) this holiday
season, you’ll find an ice-skating rink already up and running.
For the 21st year, the large roofed open space between Terminals 1 and 2 and Munich Airport is transformed into a winter wonderland, with a winter market, more than 45 Christmas trees, live music, activities for kids and adults, a pine forest and a free ice-skating rink. Skates can be rented for a small fee and there’s a bonus rink for curling set up next to the skating rink as well.
Like beer? Like free beer? Ever fly through Denver International Airport?
Denver has a robust craft brewing scene and there are plenty of places to order a local or regionally brewed beer at Denver International Airport (DEN).
The airport even has a Beer Passport that can earn you a free pint.
Here’s how it works:
Order a beer at each of the four Colorado breweries in the airport.
Get your Beer Passport stamped at each brewery
Once you have all four stamps, redeem the passport for a free pint of beer at any of these participating breweries:
If you fly to, from or through Denver International Airport
regularly, getting four beer stamps shouldn’t be that difficult.
If you’re spending a long time at the airport before or between
flights, you can perhaps get all your beer stamps in one day.
To “play,” just pick up a Beer Passport card at any participating brewery or at any of the airport information booths, which are located pre-security and on each concourse.
After you purchase a beer at one of the participating breweries, be sure to get your Beer Passport stamp.
Once you’ve collected all four stamps, swap the passport for a free pint of beer at any of the breweries.
Jut be sure to drink those beers before April 1, 2020, when all beer passports expire.
Should we make this the Airport Amenity of the Week?
We’re into Oktoberfest season and Denver International Airport is celebrating with the 6th annual “Beer Flights” beer garden through September 22.
The beer garden is set up on the DEN plaza, which is located between the Westin and the south entrance to the Jeppesen Terminal. Hours are from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily through September 22.
Entry tickets are $10 and include a souvenir glass to taste up to 20, 2-ounce samples of beer from 12 Colorado breweries. Each brewery has two beers to sample.
Participating brewers have giveaways for attendees and there’s live music daily from 4 to 6 p.m.
The beer garden is outside of security, so if you partake just be sure to keep an eye on the departure time of your flight and leave plenty of time to get through security,
