It’s cherry blossom season in many parts of the country right now. And in Washington, DC the National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing.
Festival events are scheduled through mid-April. But the National Park Service declared Thursday, March 23 as the day that the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin reached peak bloom.
Travelers heading to or from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) will also be able to celebrate cherry blossom season. As per tradition, the Dulles terminal is lit in pink.
And you can tell the IAD team is pretty darn excited about the display this year.
On Monday, the Transportation Department fined a half-dozen airlines more than $7 million for failing to provide timely refunds to customers.
The DOT said the six airlines have also now collectively paid more than half a billion dollars to people who were owed a refund due to a canceled or significantly changed flight.
Frontier Airlines is the only U.S. airline on the list. And it got the biggest fine: $2.2 million. According to the DOT, the airline has issued $222 million in refunds.
Here’s a list of the other airlines fined and the amount of refunds they are required to pay:
The fines assessed and the required refunds provided are:
Air India – $121.5 million in required refunds paid and a $1.4 million penalty
TAP Portugal – $126.5 million in required refunds paid and a $1.1 million penalty
Aeromexico – $13.6 million in required refunds paid and a $900,000 penalty
El Al – $61.9 million in required refunds paid and a $900,000 penalty
Avianca – $76.8 million in required refunds paid and a $750,000 penalty
You Can Now Take the Metro to Dulles International Airport
With the opening of the long-awaited Silver Line Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Tuesday, travelers and airport employees can now take the train directly to Dulles from downtown Washington, D.C.
The new station at Dulles is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. Transit time from Metro Center in downtown D.C. is estimated at 53 minutes. And, depending on when you ride and where you access Metrorail, the fare will be between $2 and $6. Trains will leave the Dulles Silver Line station about every 15 minutes.
Now one of these pods has been installed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Located under the lobby escalators on the Museum’s ground floor, the free-to-use pod not only provides a private, comfortable space for parents to pump or breastfeed, this one doubles as a gallery space.
The interior of the pod features reproductions of artworks by noted artist Betye Saar, including Anticipation (1961), which depicts the artist pregnant with her third child, In the Sunflower Patch (1963), and Flight (1963), depicting the early years of her daughter’s life. There’s also a quote by Saar in the pod, in which she reflects on motherhood, birthing, and her printmaking practice.
Great idea, right? Maybe airports will add art to their Mamava lactation pods too.
In addition to museums and airports, Mamava now has lactation pods in train stations, corporate offices, schools, hospitals, military bases, retail, universities, sports stadiums, and zoos. You can locate them with a free locator app.
Hundreds of airports around the world use Twitter as one of their tools to share news and updates with the public.
The social media site is in flux (to say the least) at the moment. But for now, it’s still a great way to find out at a glance what some of our favorite airports are up to.
And, as part of its 60th anniversary year, Dulles International Airport (IAD), reminded us of the mobile lounges that were used to transport passengers between the terminals and their planes.
The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a ruling that allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to require mask-wearing on planes, trains, and other forms of transport.
The TSA stopped enforcing a mask mandate in April of this year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask mandate was struck down by a federal judge in Florida.
Are you still wearing a mask when you fly? COVID is still out there and we’ve seen lots of people wearing masks in airports and on planes.
Longer Hours for SEA’s Spot Saver program
Hate waiting in long airport security lines?
A great amenity popping up at airports is a program that allows travelers to make a timed reservation to go through the security line.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) was the first airport in the U.S. to offer the service, which they call Spot Saver. And it has become so popular that SEA is now expanding the program, just in time for the upcoming busy holiday travel season.
Previously, the advanced check-in option for security checkpoint lines was only available during the busiest times of the day, until 1 p.m. Now travelers can use the service afternoons and evenings as well.
Other airports around the country offer a similar service. Check your airport’s website for the option before getting in that long security line.
New Airport Socks Alert
The Stuck at The Airport fashion reporter has a great collection of airport socks. And it looks like there’s an opportunity to add a new pair to the collection.
Here’s how to get them:
Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) turns 60 this month, on November 17. And throughout November, airport visitors who purchase three items in the Duty Free Americas shops can show their receipts and get a free pair of socks. But only 1000 pairs are available.
There will also be special events on the airport’s anniversary day, November 17, including free cookies and throwback prices for coffee.
MKE’s Coat Check service, holiday decor, & Santa sightings
Check your winter coat at MKE
One of the smartest, best, and most reasonably-priced seasonal airport amenities has returned for a third winter to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE): coat check service.
Offered in partnership with Paradies Lagardère inside the pre-security Summerfest Marketplace, the service allows travelers heading to warm clime the option of checking their winter coats for just $2/day or $10 a trip. The service is available 7 days a week and will be offering through at least the beginning of winter.
Santa, elves, and more holiday fun at airports
Like many other travelers, we had to cancel our holiday flights due to COVID-19 concerns. But we’re still keeping an eye on all the fun things airports are rolling out to celebrate the season.
Here are few things we spotted on Wednesday.
And look at these snaps shared by Washington’s IAD & DCA Airports
Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) have done a great job of lighting and decorating the terminals. Thanks so much for sharing the slide show.