Norfolk International Airport

Airports deck the halls for the holidays

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Here’s a quick tour of some of the festive decorations and holiday events at airports this year. And some tips on when Santa might be at your airport.

At Portland International Airport (PDX), there will be free cider and crafts for kids on Saturday, December 20 all day long at the Loyal Legion beer hall up on pre-security mezzanine.

Then, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at noon, there will a free PDX screening of Oregon’s favorite film, “The Goonies,” with Miss Hannah’s popcorn samples and kid-friendly crafts.

Visitors can get a 2-hour parking voucher with a $20+ purchase at participating pre-security businesses. And keep in mind, Oregon has no sales tax…

Festive happenings at other airports

Airport attractions: horses, stars & free cards for moms

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Whoa, Nellie: thoroughbreds at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

They’re not flying horses. But if you’re flying through Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) you can take a selfie with a horse.

The 150th Preakness Stakes – the second race in the Triple Crown series of thoroughbred horse races – takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, May 17.

To celebrate the Preakness Stakes race and the accompanying Preakness Festival, two large models of thoroughbred horses are now on display at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Both horses are located on the upper level of the airport, near the center of the terminal and the C security checkpoint. One horse is located pre-security and the other is located post-security.

Passengers may snap a selfie with one or both of the horses.

But, unfortunately, no rides.


Fresh art at Denver International Airport

We’re looking forward to flying into Denver International Airport (DEN) soon and seeing this cool new constellation-inspired artwork near Gate C54.

Free Mother’s Day cards at Norfolk Int’l Airport

Flowers, phone calls, brunch, and big hugs are in store for many moms this weekend.

And maybe a bonus postcard.

Over Mother’s Day weekend Norfolk International Airport (ORF) will be handing out free “Thanks, Mom” postcards at the Information Desk between 9 a.m. and 9 p.,m.

They’ll even give you a free stamp to send that postcard (while supplies last).

Travel Tidbits from airports near you

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Happy Friday! Here are some travel tidbits we’ve spotted over the past few days.

Airport WiFi. Free now, but it wasn’t then.

We remember when free airport WiFi was hard to come by. Now, almost every airport you visit offers free WiFi for a few hours or the entire time you’re there.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) shared a snap of the CyberFlyer internet stations that once offered airport WiFi access for 33 cents per minute.

The visitor program at Orlando Int’l Airport is now permanent

After testing it out for a year, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has made its MCO Visitor Pass Program a permanent amenity.

The pass gives guests without boarding passes the opportunity to shop, dine and hang out with friends or family post-security at Terminal C.

Want to visit Orlando International Airport without a plane ticket?

To apply for a Visitor Pass, apply at Experience MCO up to seven days in advance.

After filling out the form and agreeing to the terms of the program, TSA will notify you of your status and send you a pass after midnight on the day of your requested visit.

MCO isn’t the only airport that offers gate passes to non-ticketed flyers. Here’s a list of the other airports where you can enter the terminal without a plane ticket.

The list includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Nashville International Airport (BNA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and at least a half dozen others.

Free parking for shoppers at PDX Airport

The recently opened pre-security lobby at Portland International Airport (PDX) is pretty darn swanky, with trees, stadium seating, giant video screens and a nice selection of cool shops and restaurants.

For those who want to visit the airport and check it all out (we highly recommend it), PDX is offering free parking to anyone who spends $25 in the pre-security area on Saturdays in September.

The free parking days at PDX are September 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Here’s how to get your free PDX parking offer:

Bring your airport parking ticket with you to the airport.

Shop or dine at one or more of the pre-security venues listed below.

After you make a purchase, show your ticket to one of the staff and save all your receipts. Once you’ve spent at least $25, show all the receipts to the staff at your last stop.

You’ll receive a validation coupon. Bring both the coupon and your parking ticket to the PDX parking structure and use that validation coupon to pay for your first two hours of parking.

Here are the shops and dining venues where purchases will count towards your free parking:

The Country Cat

Hello from Portland

Loyal Legion

Missionary Chocolates

Orox Leather Company

PiPH by Paper Epiphanies

and Portland Coffee Roasters

Airport Amenity of the Week: My First Flight Buttons

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Whether you’re a kid or an adult, your first flight on an airplane is a big deal.

Virginia’s Norfolk International Airport (ORF) gets that. And, clearly, the folks who work at the airport remember that scared, giddy feeling of taking that first flight.

Like many other airports, ORF is on target to break passenger records this year. And like many other airports, ORF has a bundle of capital projects underway to modernize and expand its facilities.

The airport is also working on upping the customer experience. They’ve built a new children’s play area and have complimentary coloring books and crayons available at the airport Information Booth for anyone who asks.

Also free for the asking, My First Flight buttons.

“The idea is akin to what some theme parks make available for first-time visitors,” said ORF airport spokesperson Chris Jones. “We found a button-making kit online and then designed and created the buttons in-house. Hopefully, kids will hold onto them as keepsakes to remember their first flight into or out of ORF.”

The My First Flight buttons are rolling out this week and are available at the airport information booth. Volunteer Ambassadors are also carrying them to hand out.

Keep in mind: First Flights can take place at any age.

So don’t be shy about asking for a My First Flight button at ORF if you fit the bill. You don’t have to wear it, but it’s a great souvenir.

And it’s our Airport Amenity of the Week.