San Antonio International Airport

Friday roundup: travel tidbits from airports near you

Airports, , , ,

Happy Friday. Here are some airport tidibits we’ve gathered through through the week.

Another airport adopts a mascot

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) introduces its first ever mascot: an airplane named Jett.

Not to be confused with Jett the SEA Otter, the mascot for Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Dublin Airport honors iconic Irish musicians

Dublin Airport (DUB) – where the mascot Dubby, the Irish Hare, hopped onto the scene in February, 25 – debuted a new music wall dedicated to iconic Irish artists.

Qantas will fly from Las Vegas to Australia

Christmas is coming early to Las Vegas.

Qantas announced this week that it will fly the first non-stop flights between Las Vegas and Sydney, Australia from December 29, 2026 through mid-March 12, 2027.

The approximately 15 hour and 15 minute flight from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Sydney Airport (SYD) will operate three times a week on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Fresh exhibit at IND Airport’s KIND Gallery

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has a new cultural exhibition highlighting more than three decades of iconic performances, rare memorabilia and Hoosier cultural moments from the historic Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The exhibition is on display now through July 9, 2026 and features many items from the private collection of Indianapolis-based historian and collector Thomas Fontain.

Included is memorabilia from the Beatles’ appearance at the Indiana State Fair in 1964 and from shows by Sonny and Cher, the Beachboys, David Cassidy, Johnny Cash, the Osmonds, Jimi Hendrix, the Jackson 5 and other State Fair favorites.

(Photo up top courtesy San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives)

Airport amenities of the week

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(Courtesy Tulsa International Airport)

A lot of airports go all out during the holidays to entertain travelers with live music, festive decorations, free gift wrapping, costumed therapy animals, visits from Santa and more.

So this week it was especially difficult to choose which airport to feature for the Airport Amenity of the Week.

So we chose two:

San Antonio International Airport featured a giant suitcase vending machine dispensing free gifts and welcomed a pair of visiting reindeer.

And Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) teamed up with Hometown Arcade to install free classic arcade games, such as Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong and more in baggage claim at Terminals A, B, and C and post-security in Terminal C near Shake Shack.

And these free games will be sticking around.

Have you spotted an amenity you think should be featured as Airport Amenity of the Week? Let us know in the comment section below.

Last minute shopping? Do it at the airport

Airport shops,

Christmas came early for some lucky folks at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) who were invited to visit a giant suitcase vending machine filled with free gifts such as tortilla blankets and concha slippers from H-E-B grocers.

Not all airports have giant suitcase vending machines filled with free stuff.

But if you’re traveling for the holidays and still need to buy some great gifts, keep in mind that at most airports, the shops open very early and stay open very late.

Many airports have free gift wrapping stations too.

Stuck at The Airport: free tortillas at SAT

Free Stuff, ,

Why NOT free tortillas at the airport?

Texas-based supermarket chain H-E-B sprang into action with a clever campaign in response to a viral TikTok from an airport security line with the caption “all these people and no one knows I have 200 HEB tortillas in my backpack.”

The folks at H-E-B sent a crew to San Antonio International Airport (SAT) last week with a see-through suitcase stuffed with packages of fresh tortillas and other treats for passengers.

The company’s Instagram post on last Friday’s pop-up tortilla give-away event shows a tortilla-filled suitcase being rolled through the airport and going through the TSA x-ray machine.

Then a team from the supermarket chain hands out what was reported to be 5000 tortillas as well as branded blankets to passengers and crewmembers heading off to cities that don’t have H-E-B tortillas.

We will give this the nod as (last week’s) Airport Amenity of the Week.

(courtesy HEB)

Travel tidbits from airports near you

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Happy Birthday BWI Airport


Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) celebrated its 75th birthday on June 24 with parties at various airline gates, refreshments, giveaways and a special water salute by the BWI Marshall Airport Fire and Rescue Department for the 75th daily arrival.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is also celebrating a birthday

Singapore’s Changi Airport is celebrating its 60th birthday this year with plenty of fun activities as well.

San Antonio International Airport (still) has cows

Three painted cow sculptures have mooved into San Antonio International Airport and will be auctioned off in August. While the cows are hanging around, SAT is hosting a photo challenge.

Here’s a better look at those painted cow sculptures.

Airport pizza robots + more travel tidbits

Food, , , , ,

Pizza-making robot at John Glenn Int’l Airport

You can get pizza at plenty of airports. But it’s rare to find a robot making your pizza pie.

Donatos Pizza debuted a new ‘autonomous kitchen’ in Ohio’s John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) where a robot is on duty 24-hours a day preparing made-to-order pizzas.

Located pre-security, by Hangar 815 in front of Concourse B, the robotic pizza restaurant has a small footprint and a short menu that includes a 10″ cheese pizza or 10″ pepperoni pizza.

Price: $11.59. No tipping required.

The Donato’s Pizza robot at John Glenn International Airport is cool and new.

But it’s not the only pizza-making machine in an airport.

At Detroit-Metropolitan Airport (DTW) a ZaBot Pizza Robot machine staffed by robots Rosa and Enzo heats up personal pizzas around-the-clock.

Look for this machine in the Coca Cola room by Gate A36.

Elsewhere: cows at San Antonio Int’l Airport + cool art at Long Beach Airport

Flag of military uniforms on display at San Antonio Int’l Airport

Art, ,

As we head into July 4, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is unveiling a 25-foot by 12-foot American flag woven out of 100 military uniforms.

The uniforms were worn in conflicts dating back to World War I. Most uniforms are donated by employees of USAA, an insurance and banking organization serving military families headquartered in San Antonio. The company is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this month.

The artwork is made by Minnesota Veteran and artist Jeffrey Stenbom. He spent more than 1,000 hours weaving together uniforms from all five branches of service for this latest, and largest, piece in his “Freedom’s Threads” series.

“Those pieces of fabric are interlinked, just like those service members are interlinked to protecting our freedoms and keeping the freedoms that we have,” Stenbom said. “Those uniforms that they wore, they bled in, that they sweated in, they cried in, it’s hard, it’s real hard.”

The flag made of military uniforms will be on display at San Antonio International Airport for around 6 months, through January 2023, and then transferred to USAA headquarters for permanent display.

During its time at the airport, the flag “has the potential to be viewed by millions,” said Stenbom. “It feels only fitting that it be displayed at the airport of Military City USA. My hope is that many travelers are able to view it. Especially active duty military members, veterans, and their families.”

The video in this tweet shows Stenbom working on the piece.

https://twitter.com/johnheid68/status/1542885224517976064?s=20&t=DL6Kb100J-YOOnUOJboy8A

Factoids about the new Freedom’s Thread Art Piece at SAT

  • The finished piece weighs nearly 100 pounds.
  • Pieces of more than 140 different uniforms were woven into this flag.
  • In addition to uniforms donated by USAA employees, Stembon used uniform pieces from his grandfathers and from one of his own uniforms. He bought some uniforms online to help represent a few missing time periods.
  • More than 65,000 feet (over one mile) of parachute cord was used to create the loom he worked on to weave the uniforms together.

“The uniform items veterans own often end up in a box or deep in our closets and are rarely seen,” said Taylor Clark, Assistant Vice President and Executive Sponsor USAA’s 100th Anniversary. “To know that we can contribute to something so meaningful…makes it really special.”

Look for this flag at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) presecurity in the Terminal B Lobby.

San Antonio Int’l Airport is a Fiesta site

Events,

The 11- day Fiesta San Antonio celebration is underway. And the party extends to the airport.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) holds an annual Fiesta Takes Flight Parade in the terminal. This year’s event was on April 2.

Hundreds of airline and airport employees, their families, and even travelers participate in the Fiesta Takes Flight Parade in the middle of the airport’s terminals. The parade features authentic coronation dresses, entertainment, unique parade floats, colorful fiesta attire, and festive colors throughout the airport.

Imagine showing up for your flight and seeing this!

“This is such a fun time to celebrate the history, vibrant culture, and traditions of San Antonio. We have a very creative family at SAT and it’s always exciting to see everyone’s entries on the day of the parade”, said Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “And I’m always filled with pride when travelers enter the terminals and I see their reactions to the decoration and festivities because it is so unique and representative of our beautiful city”.

Trophies are awarded to parade participants for creativity, spirit, originality, colorfulness, theme, and spirit. American Airlines won the first place trophy. Southwest Airlines won second place. And Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Viva Aerobus tied for third.

One of the airport’s fiesta traditions is to distribute colorful medals to tourists. This year’s medal featured The Star of Texas or La Estrella de Texas, an art installation at the entrance to the airport by Mexican artist Sebastian.

San Antonio Int’l Airport lights up

Health, , ,

Yes, it looks pretty. But this month the lights at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) are supporting two important national campaigns: Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness.

SAT is turning its lights pink to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The airport is partnering with local groups to promote the “Real Men Wear Pink campaign. The campaign raises money for breast cancer research and encourages men and women to get breast exams.

SAT is also participating in the Purple Porch SA Initiative. This campaign raises awareness about domestic violence and the airport’s lights are turning purple to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The lights will alternate between purple and pink until October 31.

As part of the the local campaign, a sculpture made of bras and ties is being commissioned.

Travelers are invited to donate to the sculpture’s creation by dropping bras and ties in bins placed at the information desks in the baggage claim areas of both SAT terminals.

We suggest bringing your donations along with you; not undressing on site.

The sculpture will be unveiled next year and then travel around the city and state to raise awareness of the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.

The last day to donate bras or ties is October 31.

More robots to help keep travelers safe and sanitized

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We adore the rolling little “Ask me!” robots some airports have hired to answer questions and help passengers find their way around.

But they seem more entertainment than essential.

But thanks to the pandemic, robots are getting a promotion at many airports – as super cleaners.

Robots clean up before we fly

Airports and airlines are scrambling to get the latest technology in place to keep terminal spaces and airline cabins disinfected and sanitized.

And robots are doing their part.

In May, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Robotics put a pair of self-driving, robot floor scrubbers on duty.

In July, JetBlue kicked off a 90-day pilot program at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to evaluate Honeywell’s UV Cabin System.

These robots use ultraviolet light to clean an aircraft cabin in about 10 minutes.

Other airports and airlines have deployed robot-like tools as well.

And now San Antonio International Airport (SAT) enters the picture with its shiny new purchase: the Xenex LightStrike robot.

This robot is billed as “the only ultraviolet (UV) room disinfection technology proven to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19.”

SAT says the LightStrike uses environmentally-friendly pulsed xenon and can disinfect an area in less than 10-15 minutes without warm-up or cool-down time. They plan to use it pretty much everywhere in the airport, including jet bridges, gate areas, ticketing counters, baggage claim, concessions, elevators, and restrooms.

And it looks like the LightStrike robot is here to stay. SAT airport plans to have a contest to give the robot a name.