Philadelphia International Airport

Airport Valentines + Miniature Airplanes + More

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Valentine’s Day is around the corner and airports and airlines are getting to land some love.

In Las Vegas, the pop-up marriage license bureau is back at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to help streamline the uptick in weddings that take place in Sin City around Valentine’s Day.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will once again be handing out hundreds of red, pink, and white carnations to passengers on Valentine’s Day. Look for the PHL Volunteer Navigator team starting at 10 am in Terminal AEast and F.

At PHL, Philadelphia artist Carole Loeffler will also be onsite Valentine’s Day handing out hundreds of her hand-cut red felt hearts bearing rolled messages of love. Her HeartFelt giveaways will occur from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, across from the food court located between Terminals B and C.

Big Flying Things Made Very Small in Seattle

Seattle’s Museum of Flight will be hosting one of the world’s largest displays of model planes, cars, tanks, ships, figures, sci-fi, and more during the 2023 NorthWest Scale Modelers Show on Feb. 18-19. Special exhibits include models celebrating Black History Month and the animated world of Gundam.

The event is all weekend and is free with admission to the Museum.

Plenty of Super Bowl Swag at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport

And if you’re headed to the Big Game in person, it looks like you’ll have no problem finding swag to show your support for your favorite team.

DEN’s ELF, PHL’s Pottery Bike & More Airport Fun

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Some airports around the country are going all out to celebrate the holidays this year and entertain travelers. Here are some of the fun celebrations we’ve spotted.

More to come. Let us know what we missed.

Denver Int’l Airport’s Purple Elf

Pottery Bike Landing at Philadelphia Int’l Airport

If you’re at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on Friday, December 16, between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm make your way to the spot between Terminals B and C across from the food court.

PHL Airport will be teaming up with The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, for the second visit of Pottery Unplugged–a people-powered pottery bike.

Passengers and employees will be able to try to throw their own clay vessel or just watch and see how it’s done. The twist here is that the pottery wheel is powered by a bicycle.

“At PHL, we always strive to represent what Philly has to offer artistically and culturally,” says Leah Douglas, PHL’s Director of Guest Experience. “Pottery Unplugged certainly accomplishes that through its creative ingenuity.”

Festive Decor at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Christmas Miracle at SEA Airport

The pandemic put the renovations in the Central Terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) years behind schedule. But just in time for the holidays, the airport has finally opened Salty’s – a welcome sit-down restaurant with great airfield views – and a beer & wine garden.

Now if only the reindeer would return to the airport light rail station…

Happy Thanksgiving. Safe Travels

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Here are some Thanksgiving items we spotted at airports this week. If you’re on the road or in the air, please travel safely.

Reno-Tahoe Airport’s Gratitude Wall is Back

LaGuardia Terminal B has its own Turkey Mascot

Gobble Down a Thanksgiving Dinner at O’Hare & Denver Airports

There’s a New Pop-Up Lounge at Philadelphia Int’l Airport

Cat Let Out of Checked Bag at JFK Airport

United Airlines’ Tasty Travel Tip

Airports have Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals Too

Museum Monday: PHL celebrates The Sound of Philadelphia

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PHL exhibit honors Philadelphia International Records (PIR)

An exhibit celebrating and highlighting the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), a record label dubbed “The Sound of Philadelphia,” is now on view at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), near Terminal A-East.

The label created by songwriting duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, along with collaborator Thom Bell, released hits by artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, The O’Jays, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

Chuck Gamble, the nephew of PIR co-founder Kenny Gamble (first photo), was on hand for the ribbon-cutting, as was co-founder Leon Huff (below, in the checked shirt).

ROAM Fitness Beefing up with PHL Branch

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Passengers at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) with extra time on their hands will soon be able to work out at the newest branch of ROAM Fitness.

The airport gym and shower facility concept currently has a branch at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) post-security by Gate D1.

The new branch at PHL aipport will feature 1,500 square feet of state-of-the-art cardio equipment, free weights and a cable system, and connected fitness machines with on-demand and live classes.

Stretching space with yoga mats and props, an infrared sauna, and private shower rooms with towel service and Malin+Goetz products are also planned.

Travelers will be able to access the gym with a day pass ($25/day) or via an annual membership ($35/month). Day passes can also be purchased in packets of 3 and 5 for $65 and $100, respectively.

Workout gear to borrow or buy

For those who aren’t traveling with workout gear, ROAM Fitness has complimentary loaner gear that includes Lululemon technical athletic apparel and Brooks running shoes. Travelers may also purchase new gear including Lululemon, Girlfriend Collective and Rhone apparel.

And for those who prefer to exercise in their own gear, ROAM will vacuum seal sweaty clothes so odors don’t permeate carry-on items.

Showers

At the BWI outlet, ROAM Fitness offers guests private shower rooms, bookable for 15-minute slots.

Private showers are planned for the PHL branch as well, along with an infrared sauna that uses light to create heat. Those visiting on day passes may book shower time at check-in. Annual members can reserve a shower or sauna 24 hours in advance.

As with its BWI location, flight information display boards at the PHL facility will help travelers can keep an eye flight schedules and changes.

Art scavenger hunt at PHL Airport

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This summer, passengers at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) have a fun way to spend their dwell time, engage with art, and maybe win a prize.

In PHL’s Art Puzzle Challenge guests seated at the airport’s large B-C food court will find tabletop decals with a scannable QR code. The code is also on B and C info counters and on 4 art exhibition locations.

The code first gives directions to puzzle 1, which is Kiki Aranita’s exhibition of re-created yarned snacks and sauces based on her Korean/Hawaiian heritage. 

In that first stop, players will be asked to find an object named after a Hawaiian island. (Hints are provided).

When that piece of the puzzle is completed, passengers are directed to the other three exhibitions and asked to locate an element of the art. When all 4 pieces of the puzzle are solved, passengers may submit their information online and receive a prize from PHL’s exhibition program: 6 artist-made pins that feature PHL and a selection of international destinations.



The art scavenger hunt kicks off Tuesday, May 31, and is designed by Eric Dale, who creates puzzle challenges for Philly street art. As the art exhibitions at PHL change, the puzzle challenge will be updated. (Photos courtesy PHL Airport).

Airport Amenity of the Week: PHL flight pins

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The Airport Amenity of the Week is Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) celebration of summer flights marked by a collection of artist-made pins.

We spotted them in a tweet a while back and admired them.

And PHL was kind enough to send a batch to Stuck at the Airport’s headquarters.

The package was larger than we thought. And we were pleased to see that not only are the pins larger than we thought – 2 inches across – but that there’s also a bright poster also celebrating the return of many European flights this summer between Amsterdam, Madrid, Athens, Rome, Dublin, Venice, and many other destinations.

It’s a great way to draw attention to the return of flights. A great new airport collectible. And a great way to support local artists and promote the airport.

So, we’ll declare this art, and the idea, the Airport Amenity of the Week.

Spot a cool new airport event, effort, or amenity? Nominate it for Airport Amenity of the Week by leaving a comment below.

Fresh airport art from SFO, PHL, & Albany Int’l Airports

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SFO Museum presents an exhibit about art from pineapple leaves

At SFO: From Pineapple to Piña: A Philippine Textile Treasure 

The newest exhibit from the SFO Museum at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about textiles made from pineapple leaves.

“Unique to the Philippines, piña is an extraordinary textile made by weaving the fibers of the leaves of the pineapple plant. This light, airy fabric was perfectly suitable to the tropical climate. The textile enjoyed a golden age during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, particularly on the island of Panay, where it was made into shirts, women’s blouses, shoulder scarfs, handkerchiefs, and table linens.“

A new exhibition at Albany International Airport (ALB)

Albany International Airport (ALB) will open a new Gallery exhibition on May 7. The Life Around Us, features recent paintings by Ashley Norwood Cooper and Heidi Johnson, as well as a new site-specific installation, Stream by Laura Moriarty.

Iced Coffee With Friends – by Heidi Johnson

Route pins from PHL Airport

And Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) recently handed out pins created by local artists to celebrate the return of several transatlantic flights. Great idea!

Dark skies, free pins & a giant flamingo

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A Big Bird for Tampa International Airport

A flamingo sculpture by Matthew Mazzotta depicting a flamingo gently dipping its head beneath the surface of the water is being installed in the center of rhe main terminal at Tampa International Airport. (TPA).

Don’t worry – you can’t miss it. The sculpure is pink, 21-feet tall, and its giant head, neck, beak, and legs are already in place near The Shoppes at Bayshore. The sculpture is expected to be completed over the next few weeks.

LAX, other airports turn off light for Earth Hour

Saturday, March 25, cities, attractions, hotels, and airports around the country marked Earth Hour by turning off non-essential electric lights, for one hour.

Get pinned at PHL Airport

PHL Airport is celebrating the restart of international flights to several destinations this week by handing out collectible pins to mark the day.

We’re trying to figure out how to book those flights so we can nab some pins…

PHL Celebrates National Cheesesteak Day

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The food festival team at Stuck at The Airport perks up when airports organize events around food.

So we’re looking forward to Philadelphia International Airport‘s (PHL) week-long celebration of National Cheesesteak Day (March 24) from March 21 to March 25.

The cheesesteak party menu includes special events and freebies. There will also be cheesesteaks and cheesesteak-inspired items at more than a dozen airport eateries.

Here’s the rundown:

Cheesesteak Tasting Panel

March 22, noon-1 p.m., Chickie’s & Pete’s, D/E Connector

Four panelists, including Philadelphia Eagles’ fan favorite and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins, will sample items from Chickie’s & Pete’s cheesesteak menu. While they eat, they’ll chat all things Philly: cheesesteaks, football, and more. The event highlights will be shared on PHL Food & Shops’ social media and website at PHLfoodandshops.com.

Cheesesteak Tour

March 21-25

Interactive tour maps, with QR codes, are displayed throughout the airport highlighting 13 PHL Food & Shops restaurants offering cheesesteaks or cheesesteak-related items.

Delivery of Free Pretzel Factory Mini Cheesesteaks

March 21-25

Want free cheesesteak pretzel rivets?

Place a delivery order with the Grab app or via orderatphl.com during delivery hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m).

Use the keyword “Cheesesteak” in the order notes and you’ll get a free order of cheesesteak pretzel rivets from Philly Pretzel Factory.

If you’re lucky, PHL Food & Shops’ delivery robot, Jawnbot, will deliver the order.