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.
Wouldn’t it be nice right now to be making your way to an airport and getting ready to visit a new city or an old favorite?
That time will come. For now, here are some tidbits from airports around the country.
Pay respects to civil rights icon John Lewis at ATL Airport
In April 2019, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) unveiled an exhibit in the domestic atrium titled “John Lewis – Good Trouble” to honor the longtime U.S. Congressman and civil rights icon.
Lewis died late last week, on July 17, and the exhibit has turned into a memorial tribute where travelers can stop and pay respects.
New Concourse E extension at PDX Airport
We shared the news last week about the opening of the new Concourse E extension at Portland International Airport (PDX).
Here’s a bit more about the project.
The extension brings the first new gates to PDX in more nearly 20 years and offers views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia Rivier.
The new concourse extension also features two aerial sculptures by Jacob Hashimoto featuring 11,000 paper kits and 450 different graphics representing Portland’s river, bridges, and neighborhoods.
Hashimoto’s PDX artwork may be familiar to travelers. He also has his work displayed at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), in the lobby of SFO Grand Hyatt.
A new concourse at Nashville International Airport too
Portland isn’t the airport that cut the ribbon on a new concourse last week.
On Friday, July 17, the first Southwest Airlines flight took off from Nashville International Airport’s (BNA) new $292 million Concourse D.
Keep in mind that some amenities at ATL and other airports may be temporarily suspended or unavailable right now due to health concerns, but we’re confident they’ll return.
If we don’t include your favorite service or amenity at ATL airport or if you’d like to nominate an airport to be featured, please add a note in the comment section below.
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5 Things We Love About Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
1. The art at ATL
Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has an extensive collection of art and history exhibits throughout the domestic and international terminals spaces, in all seven concourses, and in connecting walkways between concourses.
Here are just a few of the pieces in ATL’s art and history collection:
Photos and artifacts pay tribute to Civil Rights leaders John Lewis (Domestic Atrium) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Concourse E).
Flight Paths, by Steve Waldeck (in the underground walkway between Concourses A and B) simulates the sights and sounds of a walk through a Georgia forest.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a series of Zimbabwean stone sculptures, a selection of images from National Geographic’s Photo Ark project, and many more permanent and temporary exhibitions.
2. Kid stuff at ATL
Kids will enjoy finding some of the cool and quirky art exhibits at ATL, including the Lunch Box Time Capsule exhibit on the boarding level of Concourse E (near Gate E14).
Fun too: a ride on the airport’s Plane Train. Just be sure to get a spot in the front or back car for a cool view of the tunnels between concourses.
3. Shopping at ATL
ATL is home to the World’s Largest Hudson shop, which is actually a collection of shops within a shop. In addition to Georgia-themed-souvenirs, you’ll find old-school candy, plenty of books and even some vinyl records.
4. The ATL Canopies
The two massive canopies over the north and south sides of the domestic terminal at ATL are part of a multi-billion dollar capital improvement project.
Each canopy is nearly 900 feet long – the length of nearly three football fields. In addition to being waterproof, the translucent arches can also be lit up in a wide variety of colors.
5. Lav lights at ATL
Two pairs of restrooms (at Gates B18 & B23) use red or green lights to signal when a restroom stall is occupied or empty. (Brilliant!) The system also tracks restroom usage so the janitorial staff knows when a lav needs to be cleaned. A nice partnership between TRAX and Tooshlights and ATL.
Restaurants, shops, bars, schools and offices in many communities are closed.
But airports? For now, they’re open.
Although activities in and around the terminals are different, with far fewer passengers and flights than normal.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has opened its garages to free parking. And posting a list of which dining, shopping and service locations are open.
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), all restaurants are open for now, but many with reduced hours. Bars are closed. And, as with restaurants in many cities, service is take-out only.