The newest art exhibition at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA titled “Symbology” includes the work of six Southern California-based Latinx artists: Abby Aceves, John Flores, Dani Garcia, Amanda Kazemi, Ivan Virgen, and Jaime Zacarias (aka Germs).
The artists use pattern, color, iconography, and metaphor to delve into tradition presented via surrealist paintings, hyperrealistic drawings, and intricately crafted ceramic sculptures.
Look for this exhibition through July 22, 2024, post-security in the Terminal A Vi Smith Gallery, between Gates 1 and 4 and in the sculpture gallery in Terminal B.
The Stuck at the Airport team is always on the lookout for cool new amenities.
Here are a few we’ve spotted so far this week.
Bunnie Cakes Vending Machine at Miami International Airport
Bunnie Cakes, a popular vegan, kosher, and gluten-free bakery in Miami now has two cake-vending machines at Miami International Airport (MIA). Find them at Gates D21 & G15.
Have you seen us at the airport? ✈️ Your favorite vegan treats are now at the Miami International Airport at gates D21 & G15!!! Grab a treat for yourself or to surprise someone at your final destination 🤩💗🥳🎂
Halloween Story Time at Tulsa International Airport
Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) host a free, monthly aviation-themed Storytime events at the airport. But October’s Storytime event on October 19 will be Halloween-themed, of course. This a great community-minded airport amenity.
John Wayne Airport Celebrating 100 Years
John Wayne Airport (JWA) will be holding a Community Celebration Day on October 19, 2023, to celebrate 100 years of flight in Orange County, CA. On tap in the terminal: live music, goodies, and giveaways.
The airport traces its history back to 1923, when aviation pioneer Eddie Martin founded a flying school and Martin Aviation, one of the nation’s oldest aviation firms.
To celebrate the one-century mark, the John Wayne Airport Arts Program has created an exhibition showcasing the history of flight in Orange County from the airfield’s inception to the present-day airport.
Included are images and information from the 1950s, when the airfield played host to drag racers and souped-up custom cars.
The exhibition will be on view at John Wayne Airport through January 2024, pre-security on the upper Departure Level in the walkway Gallery between Terminals B and C.
A growing number of airports make it easy for the non-traveling public to get visitor passes to the secure side of the passenger terminal.
That makes it possible to meet arriving friends and family at the gate or to spend more time with someone before they board a flight.
It also means that you don’t need to be flying somewhere to check out a new terminal, tap your toes to the live music at the airport, see some great art, do a little shopping, or spend time watching planes take off and land.
Each airport has its own name for the service and its own rules regarding how many non-ticketed visitors are allowed to be issued a pass each day they are offered. And at each airport that offers the service, passengers must still go through the security checkpoint.
The list of airports offering this great airport amenity includes:
For now, only 10 visitors are able to get a PSC Pass each day. And each visitor may request just one visit per month. But, as with the other airport gate pass programs, it allows non-travelers to surprise an arriving passenger at the gate or send someone off at the gate with a last-minute hug.
Did we miss an airport with a gate pass program? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
In the 1950s, when ‘hot rods’ were all the rage in Southern California, and John Wayne Airport (SNA) was officially called the Orange County Airport, sanctioned drag racing took place on one of the airport runways.
According to the Lyon Air Museum, an aviation and automobile museum on the west side of the airport, in June 1950 Santa Ana local C.J. “Pappy” Hart struck a deal with Orange County to use a portion of an unused runway for drag racing.
He promised to give 10% of the proceeds to the county. And the country’s first official commercial drag strip was born.
Racing was held every Sunday, from dawn to dusk, on what became known as the Santa Ana Drag Strip and continued until Sunday, June 21, 1959.
The Lyon Air Museum is paying tribute to those drag races with a new exhibit, Santa Ana Drags and Beyond: America’s First Official Drag Strip, running July 1 through September 4, 2023.
Bean Bandit Dragster
Joining the history-making drag racing cars on display during the Santa Ana Drags and Beyond exhibit is the famed Bean Bandit Dragster.
The Bean Bandits was one of the earliest drag racing teams and was organized in San Diego in 1949 to pool its member resources so they could afford to go drag racing.
Known for its Mexican membership, the Lyon Air Museum says the club in reality consisted of multiple ethnic groups, including Anglo, African-American, Asian, and Lebanese members.
“A few months after Santa Ana Drag Strip opened, the Bean Bandit Dragster was built. Within a short period, the dragster was winning races at Santa Ana Drag Strip, as well as all over California. The Bean Bandits went on to win hundreds of races and are still racing on the dry lakes, salt flats, and select drag strips where they continue their tradition of breaking records.”
It’s been a while since Stuck at the Airport featured an art exhibit from the John Wayne Airport Arts Program. But we’re delighted to get them back in the cycle with this post highlighting the current exhibit featuring photography by Christopher Allwine.
Allwine specializes in the technique of light painting. And he achieves neon-like effects through the use of long exposure times and handheld light tools.
“Utilizing theatrical and cinematic techniques, he manages composition, creates mood, and leads the viewer’s eye,” the exhibition notes tell us. “These images are not Photoshop creations, they are unique designs blending physical props with photographic innovation.”
(Ride the Snake Highway – Christopher Allwine)
The exhibit is on view pre-security at the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Clara, CA on the upper Departure Level near security in Terminals A, B, and C and on the lower Arrivals Level by Baggage Carousels 2 and 4 through June 14, 2023.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration finalized rules requiring airlines to give airline flight attendants at least 10 hours of rest time between shifts.
Under existing rules, flight attendants get at least nine hours of rest time. However, due to a variety of circumstances, that time off often ends up being much shorter.
Finally. The FAA today finalized a rule requiring 10 hours minimum, non-reducible rest for Flight Attendants between duty days – finally implementing a 2018 law that will make aviation safer for over 100K Flight Attendants & passengers in our care. pic.twitter.com/yHsBM3QpiF
A new exhibit at John Wayne Airport (JWA) in Santa Ana, California features ceramic art by Hawaiian artist Randy Au.
“Vegetable Series” is inspired by Au’s love for nature. The ceramic shapes are inspired by squash gourds that are glossed and gilded in gold. The intricate designs are inspired by Oriental, Egyptian, and American culture and history.
Look for the exhibit post-security in the Thomas C. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport, between Terminals B and C, across from Gate 14, until March 2023.
We’re ending the week with a round-up of airport news and activities
Ugly Sweaters in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – the airport formerly known as McCarran International Airport – hosted its annual ugly sweater competition. And this week the airport also officially switched over to its new name, which honors retired Democratic U.S. Senate majority leader Harry Reid.
Travelers enjoyed a festive fashion show in Terminal 1 Baggage Claim this morning! LAS employees broke out their holiday best for the annual ugly sweater competition.🎄🤶 Here's a peek at what you missed: pic.twitter.com/6lPdXkaXuw
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) is having some fun with the #RIAirportelf and offering airport visitors a chance to win gift cards.
— Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (@IFlyRhodeIsland) December 17, 2021
Fresh Art at John Wayne Airport
Behind the Tent – by Wednesday Aja
The newest exhibit at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA features photography by Wednesday Aja offering a unique view of the circus.
“Enchanted by the worlds of sequins and makeup, performers, and trapeze artists, Wednesday Aja’s work reveals the magic that transforms for a song – or a circus season – inviting the viewer to come along and get lost in the magic.”
The photographs on exhibit at John Wayne Airport are from Aja’s ‘Troupes and Tribes’ ongoing series exploring themes of custom, costume, and community. Find them (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4.
Another Milestone at LaGuardia
Terminal B West Concourse, Courtesy LaGuardia Gateway Partners
The West Concourse of Terminal B at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has opened. This phase includes the opening of four new gates and triggers the closure of the final gates of the original Central Terminal Building.
In addition to a 350+ seat American Airlines Admiral Club (Phase 1 is open now; the club should be complete by Spring 2022), the West Concourse has a charming children’s play area modeled after New York City.
Road trips are all the rage right now, so it is fun to see the iconic landmarks and images of Route 66 featured in the new exhibit at John Wayne Airport (JWA) in Santa Ana, CA.
The pastel paintings on display through April 15, 2021, and are all by Ruth Kurisu.
“I have traveled down Route 66 several times over the years and witnessed both its decline, rebirth, and preservation as a living time capsule and wanted to preserve this historical highway in my own way,” said Kurisu.
Kurisu’s exhibit is on display pre-security, on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4.
Hang gliders on display at John Wayne Airport (JWA)
One nice perk of visiting lots of airports is getting to see great art and history exhibits, even if your trip doesn’t leave much time to hang out in many museums around town.
We miss that right now. But we are glad airports continue to share their fresh exhibits with us online.
A great example:
In California, the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County now has an exhibit featuring aviation memorabilia and historical artifacts highlighting the history of women in aviation.
The displays include items that date back to the early 1900s.
The exhibit is put together by the Ninety-NinesMuseum of Women Pilots and tells the history of women pilots and aviation pioneers including Amelia Earhart, who was the first president of the Ninety-Nines.
The group was established in 1929 by 99 women pilots. The group name represents the 99 charter members who became the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots.
Look for this exhibit at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in the Vi Smith Gallery on the Departure (upper) Level in Terminal C across from Gate 14.
