We hope your day is filled with flights of fancy. And, of course, chocolate and flowers.
Sadly, this is the first Valentine’s Day in 10 years that Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) won’t have its ambassadors out in the terminal giving carnations to traveling lovebirds.
“Our ambassador program is currently suspended but we hope to get them back soon. There is hope for Mother’s Day,” says airport spokesman Bryan Long.
And this year concerns about COVID-19 meant there was no marriage license pop-up desk at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.
The culprit? COVID-19.
But many airports did celebrate Valentine’s Day in their own way.
Passengers traveling through #PHLAirport today at 11:30 am can get their #ValentinesDay celebration off to a “ZOOM-ing” start with a virtual demonstration in the B/C Connector by Phila. artist @caroleloeffler. Guests can also take one of Carole’s special heartFelt giveaways. pic.twitter.com/oC7oxX4i2s
Even during a pandemic, airports are places for ❤️. For #ValentinesDay, we’re remembering past hugs, proposals and happy reunions. Be kind, celebrate safely, and we can’t wait for more of these loving scenes at PIT. pic.twitter.com/kG5Szo692f
The airport is also using signs and floor stickers to encourage passengers to remember to keep their distance and wear face coverings.
Now, SJC is also getting even more creative with getting those messages out.
The airport has enlisted Santa Cruz-based singer/songwriter artist Nick Gallant to write and record three original songs to remind passengers and employees what they can and should do to keep things safe.
The ditties are catchy.
And you’ll have plenty of time to learn them by heart. Each song is being played throughout the Airport’s terminal buildings once an hour on a 20-minute cycle.
“By now our travelers and employees know what they need to do to keep each other safe while traveling,” said SJC Assistant Director of Aviation Judy Ross, “So the challenge for us was to find a unique, engaging way to remind everyone to stay vigilant.”
SONGS TO GO SOMEWHERE SAFELY: We've partnered with local singer/songwriter (and frequent SJC flyer!) @NickGallant3 on upbeat reminders of safe and healthy efforts while traveling, which are playing inside SJC terminals. Visit our blog to hear the songs at https://t.co/ncIKNGPwHz. pic.twitter.com/YkTQKbU2xE
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) isn’t the first to have safety songs to remind passengers to pay attention to the rules.
Way back in 2011, Montana’s Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) was running a video of a local band named The Singing Sons of Beaches to remind passengers of the rules and routines required at the TSA checkpoint.
McCarran has a liquor store in the bag claim area. It has an aviation museum in the terminal. It has vending machines that dispense everything from cupcakes and Legos, to artist-made souvenirs and – sign of the times – hand sanitizers and masks.
McCarran International Airport also has about 1200 slot machines.
But those have been shut down for weeks along with all the casinos in town.
But now that the city’s lockdown has been lifted, the slot machines at LAS airport are turned back on.
So we will declare this our Airport Amenity of the Week!
Cha-ching! 🎰 💰 Airport slots are back! Please note that not all machines will be available for play in order to promote social distancing. The LAS slots operations team will also be frequently cleaning machines and chairs for your health & safety.#AllinLAS#Welcomebackpic.twitter.com/mhwQf9ymdA
A new vending machine at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is a cool treat for Lego fans or anyone needing a fun last-minute gift.
Located post-security, just beyond the A/B gates, the vending has been in place for just a few weeks and is the first Lego vending machine in an airport.
Santa forgot to bring you some new Legos? Get them on the go with our NEW Lego vending machine. It's the only Lego machine in an airport. Find it post-security, just beyond the A/B Gates checkpoint.#Legopic.twitter.com/MmUjSeMUoI
Stock will surely change over time, but right now the set choices include Star Wars, Frozen, Duplo and others.
LAS airport has some other fun vending machines scattered about, including a Kylie Jenner cosmetics machine (in the D & E Gates), Sprinkles cupcake machines (in the C, D and E Gates) and a SouveNear machine filled with art and gifts made by local artists (in the C Gate area).