Ice-skating

Best Airport Amenities 2022

From a first-place win for “America’s Best Restroom” to free miniature golf and ice skating, in 2022 airports around the country did a great job of offering passengers some great new amenities.

We did a full round-up of some of our favorites for The Points Guy site.

But here are some of the highlights of the Best Airport Amenities from 2022.

Award-winning loos

Airports were on a roll in 2022, with two finalists in the running in the contest for America’s Best Restroom.

Newark Liberty International (EWR) was nominated for an innovative all-gender restroom suite. But Tampa International Airport (TPA) cleaned up as the winner, for its new, locally themed loos.

Tampa International Airport also won our hearts for the ‘adoption’ of an impossible-to-miss 21-foot-tall sculpture of a pink flamingo in the terminal. The artwork by Matthew Mazzotta is titled “Home.” But after a community-wide vote, the flamingo was named Phoebe.

The Return of Marriage Licenses & Free Ice-Skating

Some ‘best airport amenities’ from 2022 were actually the welcome return of amenities that were set aside during the pandemic.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and several others celebrated Valentine’s Day with free carnations for travelers. And in Las Vegas, the Marriage Capital of the World, the Clark County Clerk’s Office brought back its pop-up marriage license bureau to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

And Denver International Airport (DEN) brought back free programming to the outdoor public space between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel.

Free miniature golf was offered in the summer and free ice-skating in the winter.

See the rest of our picks for Best Airport Amenities of 2022 here.

At Denver Int’l Airport: Mini-golf, rock-climbing, more

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Denver International Airport has released the line-up for the “Events at DEN” series that will take place throughout the summer, fall and winter out on the covered plaza connecting the main terminal and the Westin hotel.

If you’re landing in Denver and taking the train into town (and you should), you’ll be passing right by these events, so take note and plan to spend some extra time having fun at the airport.

Here’s the run-down:

May 19: Jazzfest: A free jazz concert stretching from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a variety of Colorado bands, including Dotsero, the Mary Louise Lee band and the Hazel Miller Band. 

June 1- 30: Putt-Putt on the Plaza. This was a success last year, so DEN is bringing back a free 18-hole miniature golf course. Hours: 10 a.m to 7 p.m. daily. Show an ID to get a putter, golf ball and scorecard.

August 1 – 20: Colorado Adventures: From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, head to the DEN Plaza for zip-lining, a rock climbing wall and a virtual fly fishing experience.

Sept. 28 – Oct. 9: 4th Annual Beer Flights: Coinciding with Oktoberfest celebrations and the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, DEN’s beer garden will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with happy hour entertainment performances daily 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission includes a souvenir glass to taste your samples.

 Nov. 24 – Jan. 7: Ice skating. Free ice skating was popular last year, so that’s going to come back again this year – but bigger, with entertainment. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Flying phone calls, free B&B stay, and free ice-skating

Veterans Day

This is a truly great endeavor by some inns and B&Bs across the country.

On November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day (November 11th), more than 300 B&Bs and Inns in more than 40 states around the country will be offering a free night’s stay to active and retired U.S. military members.  Here’s the list of participating properties.

Each property is committing to offer at least one room, and many properties are already full. But the program is getting a lot of attention, so check back to see if other properties join the list.

Telephone

Here’s something sure to be controversial: Singapore Airlines has partnered with OnAir to offer passengers Wi-Fi Internet and mobile services – including the option to make and receive phone calls. The service will begin being rolled out in the first half of 2011.

What do you think?

Ice-skating gal

Get ready: winter is coming and for outdoor fans Southwest Airlines will be hosting free ice-skating in downtown Denver.

The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park will be next to the historic Daniels and Fisher Clocktower, right next to the recently opened Southwest Porch.

Free skating starts November 26th. You can bring your own skates or rent some there.