Travelers are often a bit antsy to reach their destination. Some airlines and airports have come up with clever ways to win your loyalty by introducing perks so you won’t mind waiting around or flying a bit longer. Whether you’re up in the air or your feet are firmly planted on the ground, traveling is getting a bit more pleasant.
Sip Rosé On Your Way
Alaska Airlines is tickled pink. In honor of National Rosé Day on June 10, the airline is offering a sneak preview of their seasonal beverage service. Passengers over the age of 21 on select flights to Portland will receive a complimentary class of the blush colored wine on Saturday. House Wine Rosé from the Columbia Valley in Washington will be sold at 30,000 feet on most of their flights between July 1 until August 31. Cheers!
Got Milk?
Peanuts and pretzels? How basic. JetBlue keeps expanding their palette for Mint customers with the introduction of sweet treats aboard their flights. In April 2017, the airline launched a partnership with New York City’s Milk Bar bakery. Pastry chef Christina Tosi’s scrumptious cookies get passed out to passengers prior to landing. Flavors include confetti, cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow and compost (pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, graham cracker, butterscotch and chocolate chips).
JetBlue is offering even more dairy in the air! In May 2017, artisanal ice cream service took off. The airline partnered with local ice creameries from coast-to-coast to scoop up unique flavors from each region. Passengers can sample Brooklyn’s Blue Marble, Los Angeles’ Coolhaus, San Francisco’s Double Rainbow, Miami’s The Frieze and Boston’s Toscanini’s.
Dine & Dash
Bring your appetite with you if you’re a Delta One passenger flying from LAX to JFK or DC. On June 7, 2017, the airline announced a new partnership with Los Angeles chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo to enjoy their fine cuisine from the sky. The restauranteurs behind Animal, Son of a Gun and Jon & Vinny’s will prepare the in-flight meals fresh daily at a kitchen in Los Angeles and transport to the airport via their catering company, Caramelized Productions. While the menu has yet to be unpacked, Shook teased “there is a strong likelihood of meatballs” in a quote to The Hollywood Reporter.
Shower in the Sky
If you sing in the shower, hopefully you’re pitch perfect because you might be serving as entertainment to your fellow passengers. Emirates has Shower Spas aboard it’s A380 fleet so passengers can rub-a-dub-dub. The airline will debut upgrades to its A380 Onboard Lounge in July 2017, which will include a redesign of the common area modeled after private yachts.
Jet & Vet
If your furry friend is a frequent flyer, JFK has them covered. The New York City airport became the first airport to offer a full service veterinary hospital on June 8, 2017. AirHeart Pet Hospital, an ode to Amelia Earhart, is located inside The ARK, a pet-friendly terminal. It’s operated by Compassion-First Pet Hospitals and offers routine and emergency procedures.
Delay & Play
Test your luck during flight delays in Las Vegas. Slot machines are sprinkled throughout McCarran International Airport’s terminals and baggage claim to keep you winning…and losing.
Quiet Time
A stark difference from the bells, whistles and flashing neon lights of Las Vegas is the Southern hospitality Myrtle Beach’s airport exudes. Taking into consideration those families traveling with autistic children, the South Carolina city made a progressive move in April 2016 by cutting the ribbon on a quiet room. It gives families a designated space to decompress after the over-stimulation of flying and hustling through a bustling airport.