Flying somewhere over the July 4th holiday? Lucky you! Airports are apt to be busy, but there are some fun amenities and events that may make your trip a bit more fun.
Christmas in July at San Jose Mineta Int’l Airport
We did a double-take, too. But the big baby chick in a sleigh in the baggage claim at San Jose International Airport (SJC) will be there through July 31.
If you've ever yearned for a big baby chick to dash through baggage claim in a sleigh on the 4th of July … Then your dream came true 🛷🐤
July 4th travel is here! Reminders:
–@TSA recommends arriving 3 hours early for international flights, 2 hours early for domestic ✈️ [1/4] pic.twitter.com/QZOySfOYa9
— San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) (@FlySJC) July 2, 2025
Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport has a public patio. With a name.
For two years, it was a private lounge. But in April, the outdoor patio near Gate 2 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) reopened to all passengers, offering a great view of airplanes taking off and landing on two runways.
The patio is open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and provides travelers with lounge chairs, picnic tables, fresh air and shade. And, now,the AUS Public Patio also has a name: AUS Sunrise Porch.
☀️ Big news, AUS travelers! The Public Patio finally has a name, say howdy to the AUS Sunrise Porch, where you can catch some sun & relax before takeoff. ✈️
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AustinAirport) July 1, 2025
4th of July fun at FLL Airport. On July 3.
Stars, stripes, and sky-high fun! We’re kicking off the 4th of July celebration early with some inflatable decorations throughout #FLL. We’ll also have arts and crafts and giveaways in Terminal 4, post-security, near Gate G7, tomorrow, July 3, from 9AM to noon. Hope to see you… pic.twitter.com/cwYY39lxvR
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) July 2, 2025
In 1949, the first commercial flight that landed at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) carried two pilots, seven passengers … and 2,550 baby chickens.
For the airport’s 75th anniversary – in 2024 – SJC introduced a modern flock of baby chick characters.
And now Ernie + Friends are featured on a new digital platform spotlighting the airport’s services.
Ernie’s Runway allows users to design and dress up their very own SJC Baby Chicks with more than one million different travel-themed outfits, accessories and backdrops, then save and share their creations and enter contests to win prizes.
Give it a try with SJC’s Summer Sweepstakes, where prizes include Ernie plushies, SJC socks and other fund items.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) welcomes Burners
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is getting ready to welcome the Burners that fly in for the Burning Man Festival and head out to the Black Rock Desert.
American Airlines has added a special nonstop flight between RNO and LAX from August 23 to September 3 to accommodate all the Burners.
And RNO airport has kicked off a new exhibit in its depARTures Gallery.
Beyond Blackrock: A Global Burning Man Showcase spotlights five Burning Man events from around the world, including New Zealand’s “Kiwiburn”, Washington D.C.’s “Catharsis on the Mall”, South Africa’s “AfrikaBurn”, Argentina’s “Fuego Austral” and Texas’ “Burning Flipside & Freezerburn”.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) hosting augmented reality game
The Bay Area Explorer 5.0 Campaign runs through September 7 and presents players with “Missions” designed to teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems, and safety.
In addition to OAK Airport, participating organizations include U.S Fish and Wildlife – Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the National Park Service – San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Santa Clara County Parks, California State Parks-Seacliff State Beach, Oakland Zoo, BART, Madera County, City of Morgan Hill, Sacramento County Parks, and the City of San Jose.
Scavenger hunt for prizes at SJC Airport
And San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is celebrating National Aviation Week with a the return of the QR Scavenger Hunt throughout its terminals from now through September 9.
Prizes include airport parking vouchers, lounge passes and airport swag.
On Feb. 1, 1949, San José Municipal Airport opened its runways to commercial air service with an official dedication ceremony.
The first arriving flight carried seven human passengers and 2,550 baby chickens.
The inflatable baby chicken complements other festive decorations including over 1,000 baby chicken window clings and four 7-foot-tall standees installed throughout the terminals.
In addition to the 10-foot inflatable chick, SJC has decorated the terminal with more than 1,000 baby chicken window clings and four 7-foot-tall standing chicks.
Passengers and airport visitors who snap a photo with a baby chick and post it on social media using #sjc75 and #PicWithABabyChick tags will be entered to win a commemorative SJC 75th anniversary swag pack. (We hear there may be socks…)
(Deadline: Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Limit one post per social media platform.)
Located in Terminal B, across from Gate 19, the restaurant is serving up a Signature Mac along with a wide variety of customizable mac and cheese dishes with cheddar cheese sauce, 5-cheese white sauce, grilled chicken, smoked bacon, and BBQ pulled pork.
The menu also includes Grilled Mac + Cheese Sandwiches, Breakfast Mac + Cheese Burritos, and a full bar.
First, we spotted these very comfy chairs right by the baggage claim carousels.
Then, once through security, we made our way down a hallway filled with useful – and tempting – vending machines.
We’ve seen the Fuel Rod machine that dispenses handy fully-charged chargers in quite a few airports. But the machine that’s ” a carwash for glasses and jewelry,” and the one that dispenses tins filled with licorice aren’t as common. Yet.
And how’s this for service?
We saw a gate agent sprint off towards the security checkpoint and wondered what was up. In just a few minutes she came running back with a young man in tow who would have missed his flight had she not rushed over and hustled him to the front of the security checkpoint line.
The airport is an old hand at welcoming and sending off the festival goers.
So, when the party is over, on September 4, the airport will be ready with plastic bags to wrap dust-encrusted luggage and other checked items to make sure playa dust doesn’t get tracked through the terminal and muck up the baggage systems. There will also be donation sites for camping gear Burners don’t want to take home and the bikes Burners brought or bought to get around the playa.
Photo op: Beyonce’s “BeyHive” at San Jose Mineta Int’l Airport
Beyoncé will be performing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA on August 30 and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), which is just five miles from the stadium is ready with a special event for Queen Bey’s ‘BeyHive,’ as her fans are known.
“XO” is one of the singer’s hit song titles, and it is also the name of a new art installation at the airport created by Bay Area artists Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg for the Burning Man Festival, and dedicated at SJC earlier this year.
The structure is comprised of two 12-foot-tall aluminum letters, perforated with bird cutouts symbolizing flight, and is illuminated with color at night.
To welcome Beyoncé fans flying in for the concert, SJC airport will be hosting an event for fans to get free professional photos taken in front of its “XO” public art sculpture.
The event will take place on the Airport’s Terminal B curbside beginning at 7:00 PM on August 29th.
The commemorative color photos will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis by a professional photographer and will be available on the spot along with other fun giveaways from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., or while supplies last.
(XO images courtesy of San Jose Mineta Int’l Airport and City of San Jose)
When it comes to accessibility for travelers, every bit helps.
And on Thursday, United Airlines announced that a dozen of its aircraft now have Braille signage for individual rows and seat numbers as well as inside and outside the lavatories.
The Chicago-based carrier said it expects to outfit its entire mainline fleet with Braille by the end of 2026.
“Finding your seat on a plane or getting to the restroom is something most of us take for granted, but for millions of our customers, it can be a challenge to do independently,” said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer Officer for United, in a statement. “By adding more tactile signage throughout our interiors, we’re making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and that’s good for everyone.
Lincoln Airport’s outdoor movies
Here’s another airport amenity we love.
In the summer, Lincoln Airport (LNK) in Lincoln, NE hosts occasional free outdoor movies for the community.
The next movie is “Top Gun: Maverick,” and free tickets are available now.
The LNK movie ‘theater’ is on the west side of the airport, in an open green space. Films are projected on the side of an old Cold War hangar.
Got any plans for August 18th?
The LNK Outdoor Movie Series and @FlyCommuteAir are happy to be bringing "Top Gun: Maverick" to you this summer! Be sure to check out the link below for more information and FREE registration!https://t.co/Llmbmh9I2r
Did you get a friendship bracelet at San Jose Mineta Int’l Airport?
It looks like the Swifties friendship bracelet exchange at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) was a big success for Taylor Swift fans arriving in town for this weekend’s concerts.
THANK YOU, #SWIFTIES!! All these friendships bracelets came from trading with passengers 🥹🫶
Thousands of Taylor Swift fans, known as “Swifties,” will be flying into San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) this week on their way to Levi’s Stadium, where Swift will be performing on July 28 and 29 as part of her Eras Tour.
The airport is ready with friendship bracelets for trading and SJC goodies for sharing on Thursday, 7/27, in the Terminal B bag claim around 4 pm, while supplies last.
HI #SWIFTIES! We made the friendship bracelets 🥹 🫶
— San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) (@FlySJC) July 27, 2023
Summer Lit Fest at Kansas City International Airport
Here’s a great idea that would be great to see at every airport:
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is hosting a Summer Lit Fest with a pop-up event that will feature readings and book signings by Kansas City authors.
The event will take place on Friday, July 28th, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the post-security Turn the Page KC store.
Here are the authors participating:
Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James will discuss and sign “Mayor Sly and the Magic Bow Tie” written by Aja James and Audrey Masoner;
Jim “Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, author of “Bop Bop Dinosaur” and “Sullen Sally”;
Chris Meggs, author of “Twas the Night Before Tipoff” and “Go Chiefs Go”;
Julie Snodgrass, author of “The Search for your Best Furever Friend” and “Puppies on Parade”;
Christle Reed – “I Can be me in KC;” and
Crystal Everett – “Mommy and Mari Move It.”
Astronaut band to perform at Seattle’s Museum of Flight
Bandella, a band made up of five former astronauts and guest artists, lands for two shows at Seattle’s Museum of Flight on July 29.
Bandella includes Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who performed a solo performance video of David Bowie’s Space Oddity while floating in the space station. The four other astronaut artists include Cady Coleman, Dan Burbank, Ken Cockrell, and Steve Robinson, with Micki Pettit as the lead singer.
The concert will blend music with stories from space, plus a Q&A with the audience.
The name change may seem slight. But it is part of the airport’s goal to become more of a key player in the Bay Area and strengthen the airport’s geographical association with San José.
In addition to the new name, the rebrand includes a new logo, a new color scheme, and a new tagline: Fly Simple.
SJC’s first incorporated the name of US Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta in 2001. And, while many airports are named for people, San José was one of the few airports in the world to be named after a living person. Secretary Mineta passed away on May 3, 2022.
We’re fine with the name change. Just as long as the airport doesn’t mess with the cool public art. And with the charming topiary bear at the entrance.
