Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Elves at the Louisville Airport + Free Covid tests at SEA+ JetBlue’s first lounge

Holidays, Uncategorized, , , ,

Pixie Pilot & Jingle Jet making merry at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Airports around the country go all out during the holiday season with decorations, live music, visits from Santa and other festive events.

At Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), the activities include the adorable antics of Pixie Pilot and Jingle Jet, a pair of elves that make appearances throughout the terminal.

Here are just a few of their stops so far this season. Check out the airport’s social media channels for more elf action. And be sure to look around when you’re there.

Free COVID test kits at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Remember when you couldn’t get on a flight without having proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test and proof of COVID vaccinations?

Those days are gone, but people are still getting COVID-19.

But now testing is no longer free. And neither are the test kits. After discovering that all the free test kits we gathered during and after the pandemic were expired, our household recently purchased a package of test kits that cost almost $30.

That’s why on my recent international flight home to Seattle, I willingly stopped at the table set up at the exit of the international arrivals area of the airport that had a CDC-branded sign saying “Swab at the airport and get a test for the road.”

The voluntary, anonymous COVID-19 nasal-swabbing took just seconds.

As a thank you, I was handed a box containing 2 COVID-19 test kits and was on my way.

For those who take the moment to stop, these free kits are a money saving and a useful welcome home souvenir.

JetBlue’s very cool, very New York and first-ever airport lounge

At 5 a.m. on December 18, 2025, JetBlue will officially open the doors to its first-ever airport lounge.

This one, called ‘BlueHouse,” is in JetBlue’s flagship Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The 9,000-square-foot, two-level lounge is designed with a NYC apartment-style aesthetic, Art Deco design, lots of art and some surprises.

For example, the celestial map on the downstairs ceiling is reminiscent of the one at Grand Central Terminal.

Drinks and deluxe grab-n-go food options are by Union Square Events, Joe Coffee, The Greats of Craft and Please Don’t Tell. There are plenty of power outlets, a game room and space for 140 guests in several different seating areas and configurations. JetBlue’s new lounge also has some special ‘surprise’ touches, such a photo booth and a bank of keyed mailboxes that contain small ‘prizes’ for guests.

Admission is currently complimentary to Mosaic 4 members, JetBlue Premier Cardmembers and transatlantic Mint customers with same day tickets, Blue Fare or above.

Beginning February 2026, limited access passes to the lounge will be available for purchase to Annual BlueHouse members, Mosaic 1-3 members, JetBlue Plus and Business Cardmembers, and non-transatlantic Mint customers with same-day tickets, Blue Fare or above.

Next up: Boston.

JetBlue plans to open a BlueHouse lounge in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Terminal C sometime in 2026.

(JetBlue BlueHouse images courtesy JetBlue)

Travel tidbits: Friday roundup

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It’s been a busy week at Stuck at the Airport headquarters with some exciting projects in the works and we’ve been setting aside these travel tidbits to share with you for this Friday round-up.

Airport and airline news

(The Dreams We Carry,” by Kipp Kobayashi, in Concourse G at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Airports Commission)

“The Dreams We Carry” at Minneapolis -St. Paul Int’l Airport

Artist Kipp Kobayashi’s “The Dreams We Carry” sculpture is now installed in the two-story Concourse G Rotunda in Terminal 1 — near gates G18-22 — at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

The 45-foot-wide collection of hanging sculptures interacts with the light and hints at the unique stories represented by the more than 300 suspended objects — from everyday companions like favorite pets, cameras and blue jeans to treasured pieces such as rocking chairs, pianos, guitars, houseplants and a beloved teddy bear.

The choice of objects portrayed represents the items Minnesotans and travelers told the artist they most cherished and would bring on an imaginary one-way trip to a destination of their choice.

Airports helping federal employees working without pay

As the government shutdown drags on, federal workers at U.S. airports must continue to work without pay.

A growing list of airports, airlines and community organizations are doing what they can to help these workers make it through.

The latest: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is gathering non-perishable food, toiletries and baby items in a donation drive that runs through October 24th. And West Virginia Yaeger International Airport (CRW) is holding a donation drive on November 4th.

Alaska Air celebrates new nonstop from Seattle to Seoul

We’re sad they didn’t invite us to the party, but we’re glad to see Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Alaska Airlines kicking off the airline’s new nonstop flight from Seattle to Seoul with a fun, celebrity-studded party.

No airline ticket needed to visit Salt Lake City Int’l Airport 11/4

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is inviting the public to come hang out at the airport on November 8, 2025.

No airline ticket is required. But guests will need to register for one of the 200 available slots ahead of time.

Registration opens October 23 at 9 am.

In addition to taking in the airport’s impressive art installations and doing some shopping and snacking, airport visitors will be able to learn about artist Gordon Huether’s new art installation, “Flight.”

Charleston International Airport Goes Pink

Three “CHS Goes Pink” stations are now installed at pre-security, on the way to baggage claim, at Charleston International Airport (CHS) to surpport the fight against breast cancer.

Airport guests can take selfies at the pink balloon display, leave a note on the Memory Wall and purchase merchandise with the proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

United and Jetblue have a new partnership

More tomorrow….

Amelia Earhart + pizza-inspired art + a snazzy new checkpoint

Airport Terminals, , , , ,

Summer reading: The Aviator and the Showman

If you have a subscription to The New Yorker or can somehow click your way through to access it, be sure to read this revealing and heartstopping story titled: Amelia Earhart’s Reckless Final Flights, by Lauri Gwen Shapiro.

It’s taken from Shapiro’s soon-to-be-published book The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon, which we just pre-ordered.

(Image above courtesy Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum)

Fresh art at Connecticut’s Tweed New Haven Airport

Connecticut, long known as ‘The Nutmeg State,’ also boasts about being home to the nation’s ‘best pizza.’

There’s a 20-stop Pizza Trail for pizza fans to test out the claim. And a sassy billboard campaign underway now in New York city cheekily trolling the Big Apple’s claim to having the best pizza.

Now there’s a pizza-inspired artwork at Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN).

Titled, The Pizza State,” the nine-foot by six-foot art piece is made of Connecticut highway signs (which we’re sure were secured legally) and celebrates New Haven-style pizza. The artist is Michael Pollack of the creative entity known as the New Haven Pizza Club (NHVPC).

SEA’s Checkpoint 1 welcomes travelers

During really busy travel times, the security checkpoint lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) seem to snake on for miles.

But this Friday’s opening of the new Checkpoint 1 should address some of that congestion by adding five additonal general screening lanes.

Look for SEA’s new Checkpoint 1 on the bag claim level of the airport (that’s unusual!) at the far south end of the terminal.  

In addition to a new batch of art being installed along the checkpoint, we spotted some of TSA’s newest body scanning equipment ready to go into operation.

These machines, which we tested out at Portland International Airport’s (PDX) new terminal last year, are more accessible, with wider portals and no neeed for passengers to raise their arms.

Travel tidbits from airports near you

Hotels, Uncategorized, , , ,

Pittsburgh Int’l Airport’s new terminal is almost done

(Image courtesy Gensler)

Later this week, we’ll be doing a hard hat tour of Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, visiting the airport’s in-terminal day care center (yes, they have one!) and checking in on some of our favorite art pieces at PIT.

Stay tuned for pics.

Fresh art at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

SEA is the home base airport for the Stuck at the Airport team, and one thing we love about the airport is all the art. It’s wonderful and, often, reassuring to see favorite pieces before or after a flight.

And it’s always a treat to spot new art being added to the collection.

It’s not crazy to celebrate an anniversary at an airport

Our tradition of celebrating milestone anniversaries at new or cool airport hotels, such as the Hilton with a rooftop lounge that opened at Nashville International Airport not too long ago, made it into this Washington Post article about airport hotels.

This article is a perfect match for a story we wrote back in 2018 about the first airport hotels.

Airport hotels are no longer dominated by the staid, cheap, bed-for-a-night abodes that were standard for so many decades. New accommodations hark back to the luxury of early aviation, featuring top-notch amenities enjoyable by all. My latest in the @washingtonpost.com.

— Edward Russell (@byerussell.com) 2025-04-22T13:06:28.199Z

Travel tidbits from airports near you

Art, ,

Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has a cool new art car on display in Terminal A.

It’s called the “Karmadillo” – for obvious reasons – and is being referred to as the “most Texas ride ever.”

Agree?

SEA Airport’s N Concourse celebrates a concession milestone

When it officially opened at the end of 2021, the remodeled and expanded N Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) boasted 8 new and 12 remodeled gates, fresh new art and a long list of cool new shops and restaurants.

Due to the pandemic, it’s taken a while for all the contracted tenants to open their spaces.

Now they have. And this week SEA took the time to celebreate with lion dancers, ribbon cuttings and a visit from Jett the SEA Otter, the airport’s new mascot.

If you’re headed to SEA sometime soon, here are eight of the most recent openings:

Sky Gamerz is a gaming lounge serving up retro Atra-era video games that can be played for free, along with a full food and drink menu .

Tender Loving Empire was born in Portland and is a welcome Seattle gift shop addition that supports hundreds of artists, makers, musicians, and small businesses.

CHALO Seattle offers fun travel gear with really great graphics.

Show Pony is a locally-owned boutique featuring clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gifts from independent small designers, many local to the Pacific Northwest.

Other new venues include a branch of P.F. Chang’s, Lil Woody’s Burgers & Shakes, Embarque Whiskey Grill and Village Pub .

And check out what’s on deck for the Great Hall at Denver Internaitonal Airport

Travel Tidbits from airports near you

Airports, ,

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) hosted a popcorn giveaway in honor of the Super Bowl.

We wish we were there…

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are among the airports celebrating the Lunar New Year.


Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is marking Black History Month by celebrating an intriguing piece of its public art collection. Mark Bradford’s hard-to-miss giant sculpture, Bell Tower, is in the Tom Bradley International Terminal Departure Hall.

And we were delighted to add our comments to – and learn from – this article about observation decks and outdoor patios to be found at airports.

“I love the idea of being able to go outside and be a part of what’s happening on the tarmac,” said Thom Filicia in 2013.So do many travelers. In the years since, American airports have begun, if not clamoring for, actively including consideration of outdoor airside spaces in a myriad of projects.

— Airport Architecture (@airportarchitecture.byerussell.com) 2025-02-05T13:57:20.524Z

Retro-themed gaming lounge open at SEA

Restaurants, , ,

If you grew up with or are a fan of Atari and Ninendo-era video games such as Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros. and Ms. PAC-MAN then you’ll be thrilled with a visit to the new retro-themed Sky Gamerz in the N Satellite at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

There’s a full menu and a bar with the requisite bank of large TV screens overhead turned to sports and, if everyone behaves, national news.

One side of this restaurant is open to patrons of all ages. And on the all-ages side, settling in at a table and playing any of the retro-computer games is free.

There’s even a small ‘champagne room’ in the back of the venue perfect for families with small kids.

To check out a game cartridge, all you need to do is give your ID to the bartender. Want to play another game? Simply swap the game cartridge at the bar or ask one of the waitstaff to bring it over.

While no purchase is necessary, you’ll probably want to order something off the well-priced menu, which includes items such as Nutella stuffed French Toast.

If you do order a meal, be sure to save room for what may be the best value dessert at the airport: the ice cream sandwich.

Each freshly made ice cream sandwich is made of 4 ounces of vanilla ice cream stuffed between two large, warm chocolate chunk cookies.

When we visited, our Sky Gamerz guide just happened to have a tape measure with him and we measured the hefty dessert at more than 4 inches across.

This dessert is perfect for sharing. And at just $8 (plus tax), we’re declaring it the best value dessert at SEA airport.

Reno Airport celebrates rodeo+SEA embraces Bridgerton

Travel tips, , , ,

The 105th annual Reno Rodeo is underway in Reno, Nevada and Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is joining with Southwest Airlines to welcome rodeo enthusiasts to town.

On Friday morning (June 21), from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Southwest passengers traveling to and from Denver Airport will be treated to a class in country dancing. If you’re passing through, mosey on over and join in.

SEA airport says “pay attention, gentle readers”

Have you been watching Bridgerton? Evidently the social media team at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has. Their feed is currently full of Bridgerton-themed travel tips. And they’re very charming.

Tour the ‘secret’ SFO Museum facility

Art, Uncategorized, , ,
Flying boat airliner model aircraft. Courtesy SFO Museum

Yesterday we shared a video from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SFO) featuring the real-life magician pictured in the 180-foot-long “High Wire” mural from the airport’s art collection.

In that video, we get the answer to the riddle: How is a magic trick like an airport?

Today we’re sharing a charming video from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offering a never-before look into the ‘secret’ storage facility of the SFO Museum.

Tag along and then be sure to take in a few of the great exhibits at SFO Airport next time you’re there. We’ve arranged a long layover at SFO this week just so we can see the Airplane Model exhibit in the International Terminal.

What to look for in airports this week

Airports, , , , ,

So many new things are popping up at airports for the holiday season. Here are just some of the items we spotted over the weekend.

Toy Planes at St. Louis Lambert Int’l Airport

Toys Take Flight is a new exhibit by the Field House Museum now in the Lambert Gallery at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). In addition to toy airplanes and model plane kits, the exhibit includes some great photographs.

Avatar at Sinagpore Changi Airport

Little Free Libraries Filling Up at Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Airport

You may have noticed Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood encouraging people to leave books and take books. Some airports around the country host Little Free Libraries too, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the newest addition. Look for two artist-painted Little Free Libraries at SEA. One is at the top of the escalator leading down to the SEA Underground train at Concourse A and the other is in front of the Children’s Play Area in Concourse A.

Last time we passed through the airport we were pleased to see that the Free Little Library by the play area was chock full of kids books.