San Antonio International Airport

Sweet stuff at San Antonio Int’l Airport

March 25, 2010Harriet BaskasAirport shops, Airports, Contests, Deals, ShoppingAirport art, Gary Sweeney, Natalie's Candy Bar, San Antonio International Airport

I got three notices from the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) today.

One was about Delta reinstating service from San Antonio to Cincinnati. That’s good.

One was about the airport jumping into the world of social media with Facebook and Twitter accounts that will be used to keep travelers up-to-date on weather, flight delays, cancellations, and other airport news such as contests. The airport is already promising prizes to its 500^th Facebook Fan and its 500^th Twitter follower.

SAT also promises to use Facebook and Twitter to alert travelers to concessions specials and discounts, like this week’s candy sale at Natalie’s Candy Bar in Terminal 1 by Gate 10, where there are 16 different candies in 1 lb bags selling for $2.99 each. (Not that I would admit to buying a pound of candy at an airport, but I’m pretty sure that’s a good deal.)

While you’re at the airport, snacking on candy or just hanging around, be sure to check out the airport art, including Gary Sweeney’s neo-retro tourist tourist posters at the entrance to the parking garage.

They look just like vintage travel ads, but on second glance you’ll see that they’re pleasantly, wackily, off.

Happy Souvenir Sunday from San Antonio International Airport

December 6, 2009Harriet BaskasAirport shops, Food, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirsleche quemada, San Antonio International Airport

Happy Souvenir Sunday!

On Sundays we unpack our bags and take a look at some of the fun, inexpensive, “of the city” souvenirs available at airports.

This week’s souvenirs come from San Antonio International Airport (SAT), where Rich Johnson was kind enough to take photos of some of the items for sale.

Chocolate “Armadillo Droppings” and this colorful box of Tortilla Soup Mix would make lovely gifts, but each sells for just a bit more than the $10 we set as a limit for our “pick” on Souvenir Sunday.

But this box of leche quemada, a fudge-like Mexican candy made in San Antonio, fit the bill.

The entire box sells for just about $8.

Have you found a great souvenir at an airport?

If it is under $10, “of” the city or region and, ideally, a bit offbeat, then please take a photo and send it along.

It may end up in a future edition of Souvenir Sunday.

Free yellow roses at San Antonio Int’l Airport

February 12, 2009Harriet BaskasFree Stuff, HolidaysSan Antonio International Airport, Valentine's Day promotion

On Friday, February 13^th, just to get folks in the mood for Valentine’s Day, San Antonio International Airport’s volunteer ambassadors will be handing out 4,000 yellow roses to arriving passengers in the baggage claim area.

Passengers will also be serenaded by a mariachi band.

The airport’s partner for this event is the local convention and visitors bureau.

Airport ambassadors handed out yellow roses last year too!

A great tradition.

For Valentine’s Day events at other airports, see my recent “At the Airport” column on USAToday.com: Airports Sweeten the Deal for Valentine’s Day.