Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

World’s Busiest Airport? Plus: Travel Tidbits

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Back on Top

Airports Council International (ACI) released global traffic numbers and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) once again comes out on top as the world’s busiest airport.

The top five world’s busiest airports include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD), and Dubai International Airport (DXB), in that order. The Dubai airport also topped the list as the world’s busiest international airport.

SFO Airport’s Cherry Blossom Festival

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in San Francisco’s Japantown and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is celebrating as well.

Through April 18, passengers traveling through SFO can snap selfies at the Cherry Blossom backdrop and enjoy performances on the stage in Terminal 3, by the food court.

The line-up is described here in detail, but includes OH-IN Taiko (drums) on Friday, April 7 from 10 am to 2 pm; a koto concert by Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto on Wednesday, April 12 from 10 am to 2 pm; and the Ito Yosakoi dance team on Friday, April 14 from noon to 3:30 pm.

ATL to Wakanda + MKE Coat Check + PDX Carpet

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Need to fly to Wakanda?

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the sequel to the super successful “Black Panther” movie, landed in movie theaters over the weekend.

And Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) got into the spirit by announcing the return of direct international flights to Wakanda.

“This nonstop service on Flight CHBZ will depart from the Manyard H. Jackston International Terminal from Gate F8 at 7:30 p.m,” the airport said in a statement,” adding that concessions were going to be serving “Wakandan-inspired dishes pre-flight.”

That flight number, CHBZ, was unusual. But it was a nod to the late Chadwick Bosman, the actor who played film protagonist King T’Challa.

This isn’t the first time ATL got into the Wakanda spirit. Back in 2018, when Black Panther debuted, the airport announced that Flight 1234 would be heading to Wakanda as well.

Coat Check Service Returns to MKE Airport

Courtesy MKE Airport

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) has brought back one of the season’s best amenities: coat check service.

The service is available inside MKE’s Summerfest Marketplace, which is located presecurity in the Airport’s concession mall.

Passengers heading to destinations where the weather promises to be warm can check coats, gloves, and other cold weather gear and travel lighter. When they return, their coats will be warm and waiting for them.

The service is available seven days a week, and is open through the last flight of each day from now until April 1.

This is the fourth year the service is being offered and the cost remains a reasonable $2 per day, with a maximum of $10 per trip.

PDX Carpet Gets Sporty

Courtesy Portland Trailblazers

The iconic carpet pattern that once graced the terminal floors of Portland International Airport (PDX) lives on. And on.

The latest tribute to the flooring design comes from none other than city’s professional baskeball team, the Portland Trailblazers.

They team’s new City Edition Uniform bears a teal sash that is an homage to the PDX Carpet pattern that represented the view of the North and South runways as seen overhead by air traffic controllers. The carpet gained cult status in the 1990s and was replaced in 2015. (But it’s coming back...)

Airports & Airlines Having Holiday Fun

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It IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas in airports and in the air. Here are some of the fun holiday items we spotted today.

Alaska Airlines’ Holiday Perks

Alaska Airlines has a new special-edition aircraft in the skies decorated with snowflakes, the words “Merrier Together,” and those festive red Starbucks holiday cups.

Through December 12, passengers on 50 of this aircraft’s flights will receive reusable holiday cups and some bonus treats. The airline will also be offsetting the carbon impacts of these flights.

On National Ugly Sweater Day – December 17 – the airline will be offering early boarding to any passengers wearing an ugly sweater.

Holidays take flight at Alaska Airlines

And throughout December, passengers wearing ugly sweaters may purchase a day pass to any of the airline’s eight lounges around the country for $25, which is 50% off the regular price. The lounges are located in Anchorage (ANC), New York (JFK), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Seattle (SEA).

An Elf is Roaming Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Festive Selfie Spot at ATL

And Check out the SFO Wag Brigade

Travel Tidbits from an airport near you

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Discounts at Boston Logan Airport in honor of the Boston Marathon – plus free socks

To celebrate the return of athletes to Boston for the Boston Marathon, passengers who use the online ordering platform BOS2GO at Boston Logan Airport (BOS) for express pick-up or delivery direct to their gate will receive 26.2% off their order. The discount amount is linked to the length of the marathon – 26.2 miles – and is good through October 13.

Use the code RUNBOS at checkout on the BOS2GO website or scan the QR code on the dedicated signage. Anyone who chooses delivery instead of pickup will also receive a pair of complimentary BOS2GO branded athletic socks.

Colorful Canopies at ATL in honor the Pride Flag

Animated art tour of Dallas Love Field

Here’s a short video tour of some of the art at Dallas Love Field. It seems to be designed for kids but anyone will enjoy seeing and learning about some of the great artwork at DAL Love Field.

Airport Crossword Puzzles & TSA Nutcrackers

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Use your words

We spotted a few airports celebrating National Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21 with their very own aviation-themed puzzles.

The holiday marks the day the first-known printed crossword was published in the New York World newspaper.

Give these puzzles from Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) a try. And let us know which ones we missed.

And just for fun: TSA Nutcrackers

Two TSA officers working at A. B. Won Pat Guam International Airport (GUM)  dressed up these 14-inch-tall nutcrackers in TSA uniforms. Their outfits include insignia patches, hats, airport security badges and, of course, face masks.