San Antonio International 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.

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

Technology, , , , , , ,

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.

SAT: 5 Things We Love About San Antonio International Airport

Airport guides, , , ,

Our “5 Things We Love About...” series celebrates features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.

Today we’re landing at San Antonio International Airport (SAT).

Keep in mind that some of the amenities we love at the San Antonio International Airport may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We’re confident they’ll be back.

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans stopped by San Antonio International way back when

1. Art and music at San Antonio International Airport

“¡Adelante San Antonio!” by Dos Mestizx, Suzy González and Michael Menchaca

SAT presents live concerts and events and is home to a wide variety of temporary art exhibitions and permanent public art.

2. Kids play area at SAT

This new play area at SAT is located in Terminal A.

3. The Pet Relief Areas at SAT Airport

SAT has three service animal and pet relief areas. The two indoor areas feature red ornamental water hydrants, turf grass with multiple drains, waste bags, benches, and mirrors.

4. The Pups & Planes program at SAT Airport

The Pups & Planes dog therapy program at SAT Airport is part of the airport’s Ambassador Program. Volunteers and their pups visit the terminals on rotating schedules.

5. SAT’s Travel Safety Campaign

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and other airports in Texas have a new campaign to restore consumer confidence in air travel and to inform travelers of new safety protocols and enhanced health procedures.

One piece of the campaign is a free downloadable coloring and activity book. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is featured in the book, along with Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), El Paso International Airport (EL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

Did we miss any of your favorite features or amenities at San Antonio International Airport (SAT)?

If so, please leave a note in the comments section below.

And take a moment too to visit some of the airports in our “5 Things We Love About...” series.