A hopeful sign that travel is returning to some form of normal is all the live music airports are bringing back to the terminals. Here is the spring/summer line-up at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
#LAXPresents performance series announces the artist lineup for the Spring/Summer 2022 season in partnership w/ @rumandhumble. It starts this Wednesday with The Gumbo Brothers, an LA-based New Orleans style folk band, performing in Terminal 1 Departures level at noon and 1 p.m. pic.twitter.com/PqUJGQOlg1
Blue Grass Airport (LEX) has won an award (from Airport Business) for its $16.2 million runway rehabilitation project which included the paving of the airport’s 7, 000-foot main runway in just 72 hours. At one point up to 300 construction crew members were working simultaneously, in addition to nearly 100 others from the airport and its consulting groups.
They’re calling it the Battle of Heartland vs. Hollywood. And, per the wager, the airport CEO of the team that loses Super Bowl 2022 will have to wear the QB jersey of the opposing team for a day.
Presented in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the exhibits feature works by two solo artists and one group exhibition. The artwork includes large-scale printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, painting, and multi-media artworks across three terminals.
“Out of the Blue“ is a group exhibition of paintings, ceramics, and mixed-media works. Look for this in the Terminal 7 art gallery adjacent to the security screening area. (Ticketed passengers only)
“Your Body is a Space That Sees“ by Los Angeles artist Lia Halloran is accessible to ticketed passengers in Terminal 1 at Gate 9. The images combine ink and light to celebrate women’s contributions to astronomy.
The large-scale cyanotype prints source historical imagery from a group of Harvard women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when views of the night sky were captured in photographic emulsion on glass plates.
“This body of work is really meant to honor the invaluable work that female astronomers contributed to their field,” Halloran says. “Without these discoveries, we would be nowhere near where we are now in terms of being able to measure and understand the universe.”
“Tumbleweeds,” by Pontus Willfors, is a site-specific installation featuring hand-crafted, botanical sculptures manipulated from wood. The sculptures are inspired by tumbleweeds found in the Mojave Desert, which extends into the northeastern part of Los Angeles County. Look for this work in the Tom Bradley International Terminal customs hallway.
LAX SELFIE GUIDED TOUR
LAX also has a fun Selfie Guided Tour of community art located in the pre-screening areas of Terminals 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
Start at the Theme Building, located in the center of the Central Terminal Area, and walk the mile-route to view all nine pieces of art. The artwork is displayed on large walls and creates an opportunity to snap selfiez to share on social media using #LAXSelfieGuidedTour.
Photos by SKA Studios LLC., courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
More airports getting robots to help deliver meals
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) now has a two-wheeled, semiautonomous robot named NomNom helping to deliver food and beverage ordered online as part of the www.LAXOrderNow.com program.
NomNom is a cargo robot that can carry up to 40 pounds of food at a time. It follows behind delivery staff from AtYourGate, which delivers food ordered via LAX Order Now. The robot can move at speeds up to 6 mph and uses a series of cameras and sensors to recognize and follow its handler throughout the airport.
Alaska Airlines’ New Lounge at SFO
The new Alaska Airlines lounge in Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has some amenities we’re very anxious to see in person. In addition to serving Bay Area brews and wines from local vineyards, the lounge has a sourdough toast cart (!), a candy bar that includes Ghirardelli chocolate, Jelly Belly beans, and custom fortune cookies from Oakland Fortune Cookie Factory. There’s even a San Francisco Giants-themed children’s play area. The photos below are from Alaska Airlines; we’re going to have to visit in person to get our own.
Here at Stuck at the Airport, we’re big fans of the art and history exhibits passengers can enjoy while waiting for their planes. And we’re delighted to see that – pandemic or not – airport art programs are marching forward.
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) there’s a new LA Scenes group exhibition in Terminal 1.
The group exhibition LA Scenes is now at @flyLAXairport in Terminal 1. Curated by @CraftinAmerica, LA Scenes features artists Roberto Benavidez, Lorraine Bubar, & Karen Koblitz, who offer different perspectives on the LA landscape. Find it at Level 3/Departures, Pre-Security. pic.twitter.com/rvf6aJ7ReC
— LA Dept of Cultural Affairs (@Culture_LA) July 26, 2021
— LA Dept of Cultural Affairs (@Culture_LA) July 26, 2021
And, in conjunction with the National Arts Program, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority is hosting the 13th annual Employee Art Show.
The colorful exhibition showcases 132 pieces by 88 airport artists drawn from tenants and vendors, staff, family, and retirees of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.
This show began in 2007 and includes works ranging from paintings, works on paper, photography, mixed media, sculptures, and crafts.
Look for this show in RNO’s depARTures Galler, located post-security in the C concourse through August 4, 2021
Krispy Kreme is celebrating the landing too with a special Mars doughnut. This chocolate cream-filled doughnut is dipped in caramel icing with a red planet swirl and sprinkled with chocolate cookie crumbs. The limited-edition doughnut is available in shops and online for one day only – Thursday, February 18.
ONE DAY ONLY, 2/18, grab your own piece of the Red Planet to celebrate @NASAJPL Perseverance Rover touching down on Mars!🍩🚀 This treat will be out of this world! #CountdownToMars#krispykreme
Whether or not you’re flying during the holidays, it pays to keep up to date with what airports are doing to serve passengers during what is sure to be another unusual season.
Here are some tidbits we’ve already spotted this week.
PIT has its holiday tree up
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) won’t be having its annual Holiday Open House this year. And local choirs and bands won’t be offering holiday performances.
But PIT is setting up a holiday-themed selfie station in the Airside Center Core and hosting distanced (instrument-only) performances by local musicians. And there will be terminal visits from the PIT PAWS airport therapy dog team.
The holiday tree is already there. Here’s a fun time-lapse video of it going up. PIT reports that 20 people worked to raise the 26-foot-tall tree over a span of eight hours and that this year’s tree has 538 ornaments, 42 yards of fabric, and 166 strands of lights.
Take a 360 Virtual Tour of LAX
Missing airports? Us too. So we’re excited as all get out a new virtual 360-degree of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) airfield.
This is the same airfield tour that used to be offered to students, community groups, and others curious about LAX operations before COVID-19 arrived. Now anyone can access the immersive, high-resolution 360-degree video experience online using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or VR headset.
Coat check reopens at MKE
If you’re flying from Milwaukee to Hawaii, Florida, or some other warm spot, you probably won’t need your winter coat when you arrive.
The Coat check program operates in partnership with retail partner Paradies Lagardère and is offered inside the Summerfest Marketplace store, which is located pre-security. Each coat is wrapped in protective plastic and the charge is a very reasonable $2 per day, or $10 per trip.
As far as we know, this is still the only U.S. airport offering this service.
Fresh art at PHX
Sky Curtain,” an artistic weather screen installation, is under construction at the future PHX Sky Train Rental Car Center Station. It features a series of brightly colored steel pipes, running along both sides of the station platform. Learn more on our Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/64c3n0IKUn
— Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (@PHXSkyHarbor) December 1, 2020
Fun and games from BWI
Here's a #TravelTuesday wordsearch highlighting some popular getaway spots of our passengers. 🧳
SAN Arts Program Fall Resident Artist, Margaret Noble, has released a new month’s of experiences based on the idea of a map. You are encourage to visit https://t.co/Tw7ajVqQrS to view them and ponder, “What are the points on your map? Where do you wish to go?” #SANArtspic.twitter.com/Xbi222QPvG
We’re declaring the virtual information booth an official trend at airports.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) rolled out its Virtual Information Booth back in May 2020. The super social distanced system lets travelers connect with a volunteer Airport Ambassador in a remote location via a live video feed.
In July 2020 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) introduced a pilot virtual assistant program in Terminal 2. That system lets passengers have real-time conversations with customer service agents over a touch-free tablet at the real-world information booth.
Two more U.S. airports now have virtual information booths as well.
The Virtual Information Desk at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is near the Southwest Airlines baggage claim belts 1-5. Passengers can get help from a Pathfinder staff member stationed in a safe, remote location.
We are launching a new way to safely assist passengers!
Our Virtual Information Desk near @SouthwestAir Baggage Claim goes live on Monday. Show up at the desk and get your questions answered, daily 6am-10pm, from our Pathfinder team in a remote location. #MDOTinnovates#airportspic.twitter.com/Q0Qi2S96se
During this holiday season, Denver International Airport (DEN) is testing a new Live Agent program. DEN’s program will let passengers interact with a live customer service agent via video, text messaging, and live chat.
At two information (one in the center of the terminal, near arrivals; one in the center of Concourse C) passengers can use iPads to contact a customer service agent for a virtual face-to-face interaction.
The pilot program, in partnership with Recursive Labs, also allows a traveler to use the camera on their smartphone to show the Live Agent where they are in the airport so the agent can help with directions.
Right now face coverings and masks are required in every airport and on most airlines due to continued concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
There are signs, stickers, and announcements everywhere a traveler turns, but still, not everyone is covering up.
Some people don’t want to mask up and it is reassuring to know that some airlines won’t let those folks fly.
Other travelers may have forgotten their masks or are neglecting to put them on in areas of the airport.
So, to help passengers get with the program, “ambassadors” who are serving as mask nannies are being sent out into airport terminals to help.
Yes, it’s come to that.
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO) “TravelWell Ambassadors” are roving the terminals to make sure passengers wear face coverings and maintain proper physical distancing.
SFO's #TravelWell Ambassadors help ensure that everyone wears a face covering and proper physical distancing. Look for them the next time you're at SFO! pic.twitter.com/qSXD0pBS4G
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) August 5, 2020
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the mask nannies are called “Travel Safety Ambassadors. They’re on duty in Terminal 1 and in the Tom Bradey International Terminal (TBIT).
Don’t have a mask? No problem. The mask nannies have a supply of them. So there should be no excuses.
Face coverings are required at LAX, and we now have Travel Safely Ambassadors working in Terminal 1 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal to remind guests and provide a free face cover if needed. Thanks for helping everyone #TravelSafelypic.twitter.com/NIHZ1p0CSf
Here’s some of the airport news that caught our attention today.
May I help you, virtually?
Our first encounter with a video help desk was at the massive Istanbul Airport in October 2019.
It seemed odd but, then, efficient to step up to what seemed like an unstaffed information desk and then have a live video chat with someone located offsite.
But now video chats are the socially distanced way to get questions answered in an airport.
The Virtual Information Booth is now open! A volunteer Airport Ambassador is now available to answer questions via live video feed for travelers and other airport visitors, all while keeping our social distance. Learn more at: https://t.co/Q26aS9Nowq. #flylouisville#togetherkypic.twitter.com/jbolezJiSa
— FlyLouisville (SDF) (@FlyLouisville) May 7, 2020
Travelers can have real-time video conversations with a customer services specialist over a touch-free tablet system installed at the information booth.
As health safety and social distancing concerns continue, we expect to see more airports offering some sort of virtual help desk.
San Jose International Airport shows off its ingenuity
We like the no-nonsense social distancing signage and floor decals.
And we are impressed that instead of waiting months for out-of-stock hand-sanitizing stations and plexiglass barriers, the Facilities and Engineering team at SJC is making its own.
At Your Gate + Grab = Service
Grab, the time-saving app that lets you order from an airport restaurant and then go straight to the pick-up line to get your meal is partnering with AtYourGate, the service that lets you order airport food via an app and have it delivered to you wherever you are in the terminal.
The partnership makes sense on many levels but is perfectly timed for these ‘no-touch’ times.
Grab already operates in over 50 airports in 4 countries. AtYourGate serves 10 airports now, with 40 more to be served in short order.
