Giving – or hoping to get – Valentine’s Day flowers this year?
If so, it’s a good bet those Valentine’s Day flowers are making their way to the USA via Miami International Airport (MIA).
Around this time of year, MIA reminds us that 89 percent of all U.S. flower imports that arrive by air come through the Miami hub.
In 2019, that represented 240,162 tons of flowers valued at $1.1 billion.
In 2020, the peak season from January 1 to February 15 alone brought 1.1 billion stems through MIA. And, despite the pandemic, MIA expects a similar number of flowers to make their way here this year.
The flowers don’t just land and head off to florists. The agricultural specialist at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspect the flowers on arrival for pests.
Here are some more photos MIA shared of those specialists at work.
The contactless mobile platform lets travelers browse menus, order, and pay for their meals before picking up the order.
The program is put together by MIA, concessionaire Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports (URW) and Grab, and is available on MIA’s mobile-friendly website or mobile app. Food venues are searchable by food type and airport terminal. And orders are scheduled for pick-up at pre-set times, so customers don’t have to wait in line.
At Denver International Airport (DEN), the new Eats Delivered program works with At Your Gate. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, passengers can order meals from seven participating restaurants (so far) and have the meals delivered to them anywhere in the terminal, including baggage claim.
Eats Delivered food delivery service now at DEN! 🍔Download the AtYourGate app (coming soon to Google Play) 🥗Order from 1 of 7 participating restaurants 🥞 Pay over the app 🍕Food will be delivered in approx 30 mins or less 🍜Enjoy your mealhttps://t.co/1XRXFQ6nSV. #DENeatspic.twitter.com/Ta0FpL1tQe
And this week American Airlines, British Airways, and oneworld announced the launch of an optional coronavirus (COVID-19) testing trial on select flights from U.S. cities to London Heathrow (LHR).
The tests will be free. They’ll be available to customers on American Airlines Flight AA50 from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to LHR; on British Airways Flight BA114 departing New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to LHR; on BA Flight BA268 from Los Angeles (LAX) to LHR.
This part of the program starts on November 25.
The testing includes:
An initial at-home test to be taken 72 hours before departure from the US
A second test upon arrival at LHR
A third test to be taken three days after arrival in the UK
The testing program will then be expanded to American Airlines Flight AA106 from JFK to LHR, on a date yet to be announced.
TSA Talks Turkey. And pie.
And in case you are flying somewhere this Thanksgiving holiday, keep in mind that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a list of foods you may and may not bring as carry-on.
The “yes you may” list includes baked goods, meats (frozen, cooked, or uncooked), stuffing, casseroles, Mac ‘n Cheese, fresh vegetables and fruit, candy, and spices.
The “pack in carry-on” or “have someone else bring it” list includes dishes such as cranberry sauce, gravy, wine, canned fruit or vegetables (the cans have liquid), jams and jellies, and maple syrup.
A colorful new installation that looks like swirls of frosting is now on view near Gate D31 at Miami International Airport (MIA).
“Touch from Above,” by Miami artist Gianna D, is made up of 11 thickly layered, labor-intensive, abstract paintings. Each of these paintings is filled with vibrant swirls of color.
The swirls look like dollops of ‘frosting,’ and the artist says each dollop represents an act of kindness.
The project reached a milestone last week with the installation of the 29-foot-high, 740-pound glass and metal part of the sculpture.
Courtesy MSP Airport
The twisting, aerial wave has more than 23,000 aluminum rings and it is now suspended through an oval opening between the ticketing and baggage claim levels in Terminal 1.
The next step is for the artist Jen Lewin to add 2,600 hand-blown glass bulbs, each with a set of LEDs within.
Courtesy Jen Lewin Studio
The 8000 LEDs will be then be programmed to use live weather data to alter the sculpture’s color palettes to reflect Minnesota’s seasons and weather conditions.
Courtesy Jen Lewin Studio
Below the Aurora, embedded in the floor on the baggage claim level, there will be another part of the sculpture. This will be an interactive cluster of reflective glass platforms representing area lakes.
When people walk, dance, or move on the interactive “lakes,” they will influence the light show in the sculpture above.
Stuck at the Airport’s “5 Things We Love About…” series continues today with a look at some of the notable features and amenities at Miami International Airport (MIA).
Keep in mind that some of the amenities at MIA may be temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19 concerns, but we’re confident they’ll return.
If we missed one your favorite things about MIA, please share a note in the comments section below.
Want to nominate an airport for the series – or sponsor and installment – get in touch!
Here are 5 Things We Love About Miami International Airport (MIA)
By R&R Studios
1. The art at MIA Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) has a robust collection of permanent public art as well as temporary exhibitions.
Here’s a sampling:
‘Meltdown’ by Jen Stark at MIA
Murals by Carybé
2. The MIA Beach
It started as an April Fool’s joke. But now MIA does have a beach (of sorts) in the terminal.
3. Monitors showing vintage MIA & Miami
Instead of taking down a bank of video flight monitors, MIA and the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives at Miami Dade College use the monitors to show vintage film clips.
4. Local Caribbean and Cuban cuisine at MIA
Miami International Airport (MIA) is a great place to find real – and really great – Cuban and Caribbean meals and keep-you-awake Cuban coffee. Just a few of the places to find local flavor at MIA include Bongo’s Cuban Cafe, La Carreta, Cafe La Carreta, Cafe Versailles, Estefan Kitchen Express, Ku-Va Restaurant and Bar..
5. Cool Souvenirs at MIA
Travelers can find some unique souvenirs at Miami International Airport.
Our favorites include stone crabs packed for travel, hand-rolled Cuban-style cigars and travel gear from the colorful Britto shop.
