A lot of people are going to be spending a lot of time in airports in the coming weeks. And while there may be long lines and lots of delays, at least there will be some lovely holiday decorations to look at.
We’re making a list (and checking it twice) of great holiday decor at airports. And we’re very curious about what’s on tap at Denver International Airport.
One of the smartest, best, and most reasonably-priced seasonal airport amenities has returned for a third winter to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE): coat check service.
Offered in partnership with Paradies Lagardère inside the pre-security Summerfest
Marketplace, the service allows travelers heading to warm clime the option of checking their winter coats for just $2/day or $10 a trip. The service is available 7 days a week and will be offering through at least the beginning of winter.
Like many other travelers, we had to cancel our holiday flights due to COVID-19 concerns. But we’re still keeping an eye on all the fun things airports are rolling out to celebrate the season.
Here are few things we spotted on Wednesday.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) have done a great job of lighting and decorating the terminals. Thanks so much for sharing the slide show.
Welcome to Stuck at The Airport.
Today we take a look back at some sweet photos from 50 years at Tampa International Airport (TPA). We get a look at some snaps from the new 14-gate concourse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). And we put some new items on our “Places To Go” list – as soon as we’re allowed.
Tampa International Airport’s Main Terminal complex turned 50 years old on April 15. As part of the celebration, the airport put together this sweet video with great vintage images.
There’s a new 14 gate, 225,000-square-foot concourse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Gates 46-59 will serve flights for American Airlines’ regional operations at DCA and give travelers amenity-filled waiting areas and direct, enclosed access to aircraft via jetbridges. This is a major upgrade from the previous set-up which involved shuttle buses out to the dreaded Gate 35X.
The new concourse has a panaramic views of the Washington, D.C. skyline, a variety of seating options with power plugs nearby, 14,000 square feet of concession space, four public restrooms, four moving walkways, two mother’s care rooms, an indoor pet relief area, and a new baggage handling system.
Here are some more photos shared by Reagan National Airport.
Once we get the all-clear, we’re going to go. Everywhere.
Here are some places we’re putting on the list.
If soul legend James Brown was still with us, he’d turn 88 on May 3. His hometown of Augusta, GA will be the place to celebrate, with a citywide walking tour and an outdoor birthday block party.
The Dollywood theme park in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee looks like fun. Especially if we could get there between April 23 and June 7 when more than half a million flowers will be blooming for the “Flower & Food Festival.”
The O, Miami Poetry Festival is underway through the month of April, with the goal of having people encounter, enjoy, and engage with poems in unlikely places. One of the projects, Poetry About Town, consists of “call-up” poems about two streets in Miami Dade County.
Our “5 Things We Love About…” series continues today with some of the features and amenities at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Address-wise, DCA Airport is in Virginia. But it is just a 20-minute Metro ride from the airport to the National Mall and all the free Smithsonian Institution museums.
Keep in mind that some of the amenities we love at DCA may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will be back.
And don’t forget to take a look at some of the other airports profiled in the “5 Things We Love About…” series.
Nice, right?
Aviation geeks who would rather look at airplanes than landscape and monuments know what Gravelly Point Park sits at the end of DCA’s longest runway and offers great plane spotting opportunities.
Washington National Airport opened for business on June 16, 1941 with service from two airlines: American and Eastern.
Back then the facility was “ultramodern” in terms of building design, air traffic control, and convenience.
Today, the historic Terminal A lobby still feels swanky, in that 1940s way.
You’ll also find photos from the earlier era along the wall in the hallway to the west of the lobby and, nearby, an exhibit area with artifacts and information from Abingdon, a colonial plantation that once stood on the airport’s grounds.
DCA has a branch of Ben’s Chili Bowl, a landmark restaurant in Washington, D.C. known for chili dogs, half-smokes, and milkshakes.
Art is an integral part of Terminal B/C, which was designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli.
The permanent artwork includes ten floor medallions on the concourse; 11 balustrades that overlook the concourse; 5 murals; 2 stained glass friezes and more.
We love any airport that has rocking chairs. Don’t you?
Did we miss some of your favorite features or amenities at DCA – Ronald Regan Washington National Airport?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Police departments – including airport police departments – join with their neighborhoods each August 7 to hold National Night Out events to encourage neighbors to get to know each other and to create safer places to live.
The street I used to live on held a picnic each year during Natoinal Night Out and one neighbor rented a bouncy house for the kids. Each year we shared phone numbers and emails. We introduced ourselves around and chose a street captain.
And when there was a serious issue on our block – or if someone just noticed that someone else had left their car lights on – we knew how to get in touch with our neighbors.
So if your street is hosting an event, I strongly encourage you to out there and say hi.
If you’re flying somewhere, stop and chat with airport police and others looking out for your safety. National Night Out events planned for Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington’s Reagan National Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
And don’t be shy about approaching those airport officers. As we’re learning from their entertaining entries in the viral police lip sync challenge, many airport police teams have a great sense of humor.
Know of another airport hosting a National Night Out event? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list.
We hope to see you TODAY at #NationalNightOut from 4pm-7pm across from Brooks Brothers near Terminal B in National Hall (pre-security). https://t.co/mj35SU7QHI
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) August 7, 2018
At least four airports throughout the country have sent StuckatTheAirport.com a heads up on events taking place in the terminals next week and into October.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) will host a series of music and dance performances in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
At DCA, events take place on Wednesday afternoons from noon until 2 p.m. in National Hall, opposite Il Viaggo Restaurant.
Sept 20: Argentinian music with T Trifilio Tango
Sept 27: Peruvian dance and music with Papalca
Oct 4: Folk music with Cecilia Esquivel of Canto Sur
Oct 11: Mexican dance with Los Quetzales
These same groups will perform at Dulles airport on Thursdays from noon to 2 pm on the upper level of the Ticketing area.
Sept 21: Argentinian music with T Trifilio Tango
Sept 28: Peruvian dance and music with Papalca
Oct 5: Folk music with Cecilia Esquivel of Canto Sur
Oct 12: Mexican dance with Los Quetzales
There’s also a full schedule of events – live music, special guests, food samples and other treats – scheduled at both Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) from September 18 to 22, courtesy of Fraport USA.
Celebrate Cleveland will welcome Cleveland Indians’ mascot Slider, Professor Wylde’s traveling show from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland’s Singing Angels to the airport.
Malley’s Chocolates and Mitchell’s Ice Cream will also treat travelers to complimentary treats during the week as well.
Pittsburgh International Airport is teaming up with Airmall Pittsburgh for the third annual Discover Pittsburgh week and the 25th anniversary of the airport.
PIT will welcome Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The National Aviary and the Pittsburgh Zoo in addition to Iceburgh, the Pirate Parrot, and other mascots.
Daily food sampling will take place at the Strip Market and bands will perform in the airport’s Center Core.
(Washington Dulles International Airport, photo by J. David Buerk)
The month-long National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in the Washington, D.C. area and even the airports are getting into the spirit with cherry trees in bloom and buildings lit in pink at night.
Pink lighting is illuminating the iconic main terminal of Washington Dulles International Airport and the parking garage stairwells at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Inside the airports, there are cherry blossom-themed promotions and entertainment scheduled through April 16.
There will be Cherry Blossom stilt walkers strolling through airport halls pre-and post-security from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14).
Photo courtesy Sidney Woods
Entertainment on tap includes souvenir photos, paint sessions with a Japanese Sumi-E artist (black ink painting) and performances by Cellist Peter Kibbe at Dulles International on Thursday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at Reagan National on Friday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Several restaurants will be offering pink-themed menu selections and drinks through April 17 and shoppers who spend more than $100 (pre-tax) on food or retail can turn those receipts in for a free National Cherry Blossom coaster set.
Social media followers of the airport Facebook pages can also win free ticket to official Cherry Blossom Festival events. Details here.
Some music, some shopping deals and some other ways to make holiday travel a bit less stressful.
Both Washington Dulles International and Reagan National Airport have a shopping promotion for the holiday: get a free gift with same-day purchases totaling $100 or more at two or more airport shops and restaurants.
Santa will be strolling about both airports and both airports have a full schedule of music and entertainment planned. Links here for the schedule at Dulles and Reagan National.
And here’s a great idea: a new company – Holiday in a Box Shop – offers just that: themed kits filled with everything you need to create a festive space where you are, including a hotel room or – in a pinch – an airport concourse.
This year there are six themed sets – including the Seaglass Beach Collection above – as well as a nice assortment of ‘extra’ items, including a great assortment of bonus Santas.
And it looks like everything ships for free.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport turns 75 on June 16, and the party is already underway – with promotions, giveaways, pre-security performances and a special historic aircraft arrival.
In honor of the airport’s founding in 1941, restaurants across the airport are offering “First Class Meal Deal” specials for $19.41 and, as part of a ‘gift with purchase’ promotion, anyone who spends $100 in combined food and retail purchases at the airport can get a free, vintage-style travel bag.
On Reagan National’s actual anniversary, June 16, passengers on the 75th arriving flight will be treated to music and dance performances and a giveaway at the gate.
The airport will also host the Aero Club of Washington for a lunch on June 16 in the Historic Lobby—the original ticketing area of the airport when it opened—with remarks from Doug Parker, President and CEO of American Airlines.
But wait – there’s more!
Flagship Detroit, a restored, American Airlines DC-3 aircraft and the same model that opened National Airport 75 years ago will arrive on Wednesday evening, June 15, for display at the Aero Club Lunch.
A full listing of events and promotions is on the DCA website and more details (and giveaways) are already flying on the airport’s Twitter feed.
But for now, here are the restaurants offering $19.41 specials this week:
Sam and Harry’s – Terminal C, pre-security
Legal Sea Foods – Terminal B/C, pre-security
Reservoir – Terminal A, post-security
Page – Terminal A, post-security
U Street Pub – Terminal B/C, post-security
Washington Pour Bar – Terminal C, post-security
Lebanese Taverna – Terminal B/C, post-security
Grill District – Terminal B, post-security
Cibo – Terminal B, pre-security
Shops Offering Promotions this week:
As Kindred Spirits – Terminal B/C, pre-security
America! – Terminal B/C, pre-security
InMotion Entertainment – Terminal B/C, pre-security
Capital Image – Terminal B, pre-security
Landau – Terminal C, pre-security
iTravel 2 – Terminal B, pre-security
Dunkin Donuts – Terminal A, pre-security
Giant structures made from canned goods are on display at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport through Saturday, November 9.
Local architectural and engineering firms made the structures, which are on display in the baggage claim level in Terminals B/C. After Saturday, the cans of food will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
Cookie Monster
