LaGuardia Airport

Airports celebrate Valentine’s Day

Airports, Exhibits, Free Stuff, Holidays, , , , , ,

Valentine’s Day pops up on a Sunday this year, and that gives everyone a full weekend to celebrate the holiday.

This year, even airports are getting in on the action.

Today, Friday, Feb 12th,  the Food and Shops at New York’s LaGuardia Airport will be handing out free chocolate kisses in the Central Terminal between 11 am and 4 pm. All the shops are gussied up for the holiday as well, with plenty of grab ‘n’ go treats for your sweetie.

(Photo courtesy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport)

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has a great Sweetheart Jewelry exhibit on loan from the National Museum of Patriotism.

On Sunday, volunteers at Florida’s Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) will be handing out about 1,000 red carnations (they do that on Mother’s Day as well)

And Singapore’s Changi Airport is celebrating the holiday with a bouquet’s worth of giant, Valentine’s Day decorations scattered throughout the terminals.

(Photos courtesy Changi Airport Group)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tidbits for Travelers: two contests and some Valentine’s Day airport freebies

Airport shops, Contests, Events, Food, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Holidays, , , , , , ,

Two fun contests that reward travelers with travel popped up today:

Share a story or photo about a visit to San Diego North to enter the “Don’t Be Left Without a Story – Write Yours in San Diego North” contest.

The prize includes a three-night trip to La Jolla, surfing lessons (remember Gidget?) and tickets to Birch Aquarium.  You have until June 30, 2010 to enter.

Also, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is hosting the Original Memories Photo Contest.  Prizes include hotel nights and airfare credit, a swanky digital camera, and Flip camcorder.

Of course, Valentine’s Day weekend is just around the corner and some airports around the country are planning special treats for travelers.  Here are just a few examples of what you’ll find:

On Friday, February 12th, The Food & Shops in the Central Terminal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport will be handing out free chocolates kisses from 11 am – 4 pm.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, there will be a chocolate-covered strawberries sale in the baggage claim area February 12-14.  Last year, 300 dozen of these decadent treats were sold; this year they anticipate selling more than 360 dozen.

And in past years, volunteers in at least two airports were on duty to give passengers single red or yellow roses.  I’m waiting to hear if the tradition will continue this year and will let you know about that tomorrow – along with some other special Valentine’s Day events taking place at other airports.

In the meantime, if you know of any special Valentine’s Day events at an airport, please send the information along.

Airports offer contests, coupons and karaoke

Air Travel, Airport shops, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Music, Shopping, , , , , , ,

Austin - Judy Lee Tap Dancers

The number of people buying plane tickets may be down, but that’s not stopping the nation’s airports from getting all gussied up in their holiday best. And while everyone’s budget is tighter than usual, travelers will still find plenty of airports hosting contests, carolers, karaoke and opportunities for a last-minute heart-to-heart with Kris Kringle.  In my most recent “At the Airport” column on USATODAY.com, I offered a round-up of what’s in store.

Petting zoos, popcorn, and performances

This Saturday, December 12th, 2009, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will host Pups, Popcorn & Perfect Pitch in the pre-security Civic Plaza. There will be free treats from Just Pop In! and two “petting” zoos: one with instruments from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and another with adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Indianapolis.  On December 14th at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), listen for the US Airways Chorus. And on December 16h, look for JJ Jones, the Human Snow Globe, at Nashville International Airport (BNA): he’ll be the one inside a giant inflatable bubble singing wacky Christmas songs.

JJ Jones - Human Snow Globe

On December 21st, the Judy Lee Dancers (dancers are all 60 years old and up) will perform at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), And on December 23rd, a choir made up of local Austin-based TSA employees will present a medley of traditional Christmas carols.

Contests and Coupon Books

Like many other airports, there’s a full schedule of holiday entertainment at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), where you can also pick up a coupon book filled with 80 coupons that can be used at MSP’s stores and restaurants.  The booklets are available at information booths throughout the airport and on-line at ShopsatMSP.com.

Throughout December, you’ll also be able to find coupon booklets at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and in the Central Terminal Building at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where The Food & Shops at LGA will also be raffling off one pair of diamond earrings from Taxco Sterling (value $2,000.)

SAN Wrapping paper

As in past years, many retail shops and volunteer organizations will be offering free, post-security gift wrapping stations at various airports. Look closely at the paper being used at the San Diego International Airport (SAN) December 18th through December 23rd: the artwork is by students in The New Children’s Museum’s After School Program.

Concourse Karaoke

Housto IAH Karaoke

Karaoke was big at George Bush International Airport (IAH) last year and it’s back again this year on Saturday, December 19th.  Karaoke is also on the schedule at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).  Their karaoke fundraiser takes place in the McNamara/Delta Terminal from Sunday Dec. 20th through Wednesday, Dec. 23rd.  Anyone (or any group) stepping up to the microphone will be asked to make a $5 donation to a fund that will be split between two local charities. Participants will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift basket filled with items from Delta Airlines and airport vendors.

LaGuardia Airport turns 70!

Air Travel, Airport shops, Aviation history,

December 2nd marked the 70th anniversary of New York’s LaGuardia Airport and as part of the celebration the LGA Web site now has a nice slide show of historic airport images.

ScreenHunter_02 Dec. 07 04.41

Here are my favorites:

I can’t decide sometimes if its ironic or just plain appropriate that the airport was built on the former site of the Gala Amusement Park, which had been turned into an airfield in 1929.

ScreenHunter_03 Dec. 07 04.45

New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia was the one who made sure this airport got built.

“In 1934, upon landing at Newark Airport [in New Jersey!!!], LaGuardia refused to disembark from a TWA flight because his ticket said “New York”. He demanded to be taken to New York, and urged New Yorkers to support a new airport within the city.”

LGA Airport

LaGuardia Airport opened for business on December 2, 1939 and was leased to the Port Authority in 1947. It soon boasted that it was the first airport to have a florist shop, beauty salon, bank, jewelry shop, and brokerage office.

LGA SKYBAR

The airport also had a Sky Bar and an outdoor Observation Deck. Admission: 5 cents!

LGA SKYBAR

All these photos come from the slide show currently posted on the LaGuardia Airport Web site. You can see the full set of 28 images here.

Pizza-eating contest at LaGuardia Airport

Airport shops, Contests, Food, Fun Stuff, ,

Here’s an unusual airport event that sure to be cheesy, but fun. And it will help out a good cause.

pizza

The Food & Shops at LaGuardia Airport and the Famous Famiglia pizza company are hosting a Pizza Eating Contest at New York’s LaGuardia airport next Thursday, November 19, 2009 at noon on the lower level of the Central Terminal.

pizza-slice-

Contestants will be six specially-chosen airport employees vying to win cash prizes topping out at $1,000.

No matter the winner, the contest will generate a contribution of $1,000 for City Harvest, New York City’s food rescue organization.  There will also be a canned food drive going on that day at the airport.

So if you’re traveling through LGA next Thursday, go cheer those folks on.

And if you travel through LGA a lot, sign-up for the e-mail newsletter sent out by the Food & Shops at LaGuardia’s Central Terminal Building. The holidays are coming right up and they usually have some great discounts and specials.

LGA Airport Kids Day this Saturday

Aviation history, Entertainment, Events, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids,

LGA KIDS CLUB DAY

It’s Kids Day at New York LaGuardia Airport this Saturday ( September 26th, 2009)  from 10 am until 4 pm.

During the event, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, kids and adults will get to tour commercial jets and military aircraft while flight attendants hand out complimentary snacks and beverages.

In addition to planes from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways, military aircraft on display will include:

  • New York Air Guard Lockheed LC-130 Hercules (one of only seven C-130s in the world with skis) out of the 109th Airlift Wing, Schenectady, NY (used for South Pole missions)
  • US Navy King Air

Vintage Military

For more information see: the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia Airport Web site or see NYCAviation.com.

LGA GEICO SKYTYPERS

The Geico Skytypers might even show up.

Airport security: what’s with people?

Events, Guns, Safety, Security, ,

gun

According this New York Post article,  last Friday, on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Port Authority officials at New York’s La Guardia airport arrested a 40-year old man who was catching a Delta flight to Atlanta while packing a fully loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun in his carry-on bag.

Security officials reported that the man said he “simply forgot” the weapon was in his bag.

Scary? Yes. Surprising? Probably not for the folks who work security at those airports. The article includes a description of some of the other stuff snagged at the security checkpoints at New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports,  and at the Newark Liberty International Airport.

“The tonnage at Newark this year has included 12,302 flammable objects; and 43 travelers were stopped for trying to carry explosives.

At JFK, 1,328 tools were intercepted, and at La Guardia, 9,365 knives and blades were discovered in clothing and in carry-on bags.

Since January, 122 passengers at all three airports were stopped for carrying ammunition and gunpowder as they tried to board planes; 338 passengers were armed with bats, clubs and bludgeons; and travelers carried 1,602 knives and blades longer than three inches.”

LaGuardia Airport ready for National Aviation Week

Fun Stuff,

To celebrate National Aviation Week,  August 16-22, 2009,  New York’s LaGuardia Airport is teaming up with The Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum to offer some special events and discounts.

LGA Intrepid
From August 19-22, The Food & Shops at LaGuardia Airport will host an exhibit featuring a replica of a fighter plane that previously flew from the Intrepid and invite kids to paint and/or color small model airplanes.  There will also be an Amelia Earhart impersonator on site.

If you want to visit the Intrepid (on the West side of Manhattan on Pier 86)  be sure to download this coupon, which offers 20% off the admission price for up to four people.

Stuck at LaGuardia Airport? Visit Louis Armstrong’s home

History,

If you’re heading to New York City this summer, be sure to check out the NYC-ARTS.org Web site being unveiled today by the Alliance for the Arts.

It’s part of an initiative to spread the word about 800 or so New York area cultural organizations and features interactive maps and tons of information about free admission days, discounts, and special events.

Included, for example, is a link to the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which is located in Corona, Queens, about ten minutes from LaGuardia Airport.

Armstrong-close-up

The famed trumpet player’s house contains all the furnishings from when Armstrong and his wife Lucille  lived there and on guided tours visitors can hear audio clips from the recordings Armstrong made of daily life, including practicing his trumpet, enjoying a meal, or talking with his friends.

armstrong house

Through July 12th, the museum is displaying some of the 500 collages Armstrong created while on tour.

Cheap airport eats: $5 meals at LGA, PHL and a dozen other airports

Deals, Food, Restaurants,

“For a limited time only,” which could end up stretching throughout the summer, you’ll be able to get $5 meals at both Philadelphia International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

6x6_register_cardBetween the two airports, there are 50 restaurants and food vendors participating in the WOW! $5 CHOW! promotion, which includes special offers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If your summer travel plans include either airport, I’d suggest printing out the list and tucking it into your carry-on.

Here’s a link to the participating restaurants at LaGuardia Airport and here’s a link to the participating restaurants at Philadelphia International Airport.

Also, keep in mind, that T.G.I. Friday’s, which has more than 18 airport branches, is offering full size portions of 16 salads and sandwiches for $5 through the month of May.  If you sign up for their Give me more Stripes program, you’ll also get other free stuff throughout the year. (T.G. I. Airport branches include:  Detroit, DFW – 6 locations, San Francisco, San Antonio, MSP, ATL, Tampa, Newark, Indianapolis, Islip, Tulsa, and Pittsburgh.