Enter Now for Chance to See British Airways Airbus A380 Inaugural Flight into Dulles

Discover Dulles BA Airbus Inauqural Flight
Discover Dulles British Airlines Airbus Inaugural Flight

The British Airways Airbus A380 is making its inaugural flight from London Heathrow into Dulles International Airport (IAD) on October 2, 1014.

38 lucky people will invited to view the landing and get a behind the scenes tour of the Ramp Control Towers and Operations at IAD.

I attended one of these “Discover Dulles” events this summer and it was lots of fun!

Click here to enter the contest for a chance to be a part of this historical event.

Contest entries opened Friday, September 26, 2014 and will close on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 12:00 am (Eastern Time).

Participants will be randomly selected and notified via email by on September 30.

Hat Tip to Trevor at Tagging Miles.

Welcoming Air China to Washington, DC in Style

Welcoming Air China!
Welcoming Air China!

I was on hand yesterday for the arrival of Air China’s inaugural flight from Beijing into Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) invited some local people to participate in the gala welcoming ceremony as part of their “Discover Dulles” program.

The airport authority sure knows how to throw a party.

The 25 Discover Dulles participants, along with about 50 journalists, were transported to the airfield via IAD’s infamous mobile lounges for a close up view of landing.

It was an exciting moment when the plane touched down.

We were rushed back onto the mobile lounge and whisked closer to the terminal so we could view the aircraft run the gauntlet through the ceremonial water arch.

Air China Lands at IAD
Air China Lands at IAD

Two fire trucks were dispatched to pump a stream of water over the airplane to celebrate the arrival of the inaugural flight.  This is aviation’s equivalent of christening a new ship.

After the plane landed, the Ambassador of China and Virginia Governor McAuliffe were feted by Chinese lion dancers.

Several traditional Chinese musicians played at the reception.

Water Cannon Salute
Water Cannon Salute

 

The speeches heralded the 7,000 mile avionic bridge that had been established between Washington and Beijing, and the cultural, diplomatic, and economic exchanges that would ensue.

Oh, and the swag!  Each participant received a goodie bag with a propellor paperweight, a model of the airplane, and other “stuff.”

Traditional Chinese Musicians
Traditional Chinese Musicians

This was a fun event:   I got to meet some Chinese journalists, airport personnel, and aviation geeks.

Keep  your eyes peeled for other opportunities like this on the Discover Dulles webpage.

Earn More, Burn Less  

In honor of the new service, Air China’s frequent flyer program, Phoenix Miles, is running a promotion on travel between Beijing and Washington, DC.  

You can earn fifty percent more than the regular miles on flights, and award travel will be discounted.  

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Dulles Flyer: See Air China’s Inaugural Flight into IAD

Inaugural Air China Flight to Dulles June 10, 2014
Inaugural Air China Flight to Dulles June 10, 2014

Dulles International Airport (IAD) in will welcome Air China’s inaugural arrival from Beijing to Washington, DC on Tuesday June 10, 2014 with a special ceremony.

Twenty-five lucky members of the public will be invited to view the aircraft landing and the ceremonial water arch of Air China’s first flight into IAD. 

In addition to viewing the landing of Air China’s first flight, guests will attend a VIP Ceremony and ribbon cutting at the Main Terminal.

Would you like to be a part of this exciting event?

Click here to enter for a chance at an invitation.  Entries must be received by 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2014.

Participants will be transported via mobile lounge to the airfield.  Upon conclusion of the landing and aircraft parking, the mobile lounge will return to the Main Terminal where participants are invited to attend the Air China Inaugural Ceremony.

Air China will offer four nonstop flights per week to Beijing beginning June 10, 2014.

A Little Bit of Scandinavia at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Stressless Chairs at Raleigh-Durham Airport
Stressless Chairs at Raleigh-Durham Airport

Forget the Sky Club.

At Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) you can relax in a lounge area filled with leather Stressless chairs and Scandinavian rugs.

The lounge is furnished by a local contemporary  furniture store — the Ambiente Collection.

You’ll find it just beyond the security area in Terminal 2, to the left of the down escalators.

There is seating for eight or so, and the chairs are more comfortable than anything else you will find at the airport.

If you have some time to kill, you might want to wander down to Gate D-8, where you will find 2nd Edition Book Sellers.

RDU 2nd Edition Book Shop
2nd Edition Book Shop at RDU

The shop claims to be the only used bookstore in a U.S. airport.

You’ll find a well-curated collection of almost-new popular titles, as well as many interesting, offbeat selections.

The book store also features rare and collectible editions.

Washington’s Airports: Pretty in Pink

MWAA Cherry Blossom FestivalWashington DC’s airports are getting in the spirit of the National Cherry Blossom Festival with pink lighting to greet visitors flying in for the event.  This year, peak bloom is forecast for April 8-12, 2014.

Check out some spectacular photographs of Dulles International Airport (IAD) decked out in pink by photographer J. David Buerk.

At both Reagan (DCA) and Dulles airports, food and retail concessioners will feature specials such as pink cocktails. donuts and apparel, through April 13, 2014.

The most interesting offering looks to be the Pink Hana Roll with salmon and avocado at Matsutake Sushi, at Gate A18.  You can find a complete list of specials at IAD shops and restaurants here.

$3 per Day Parking at BWI

Save 40% on Parking at BWI with Econopark Express
Save 40% on Parking at BWI at
Econopark Express

I live just six miles from Dulles International Airport (IAD) but often find myself flying out of  Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).

Because BWI is a hub for Southwest Airlines, there is more competition and you can often find cheaper airfares.

The last time we flew out of BWI, we found cheaper long-term parking with a  an “offsite” vendor.  In reality though, the parking was no further away from the airport than the “onsite” parking.

Park for $3.20 a day at BWI

There’s a terrific deal available from Groupon for 40 percent off parking at BWI with Econopark Express.  

The deal offers long-term parking for $4 a day, but there is a coupon today (3/19/2014)  for 20 percent off, bringing the rate down to an amazing $3.20 a day.  Use coupon code LOCAL20 at checkout.

There are 3 options available:

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Where to Find First Class Lounge Passes at Bargain Basement Prices

Delta-Skyclub PassIf you are trawling for passes to gain access  to those “swank” airport lounges reserved for the airlines’ best customers, you are in luck!

The big three U.S. airlines sell one-day lounge passes for $50 — a steep price to pay for relaxing in a “club” before your flight.

There are a lot of passes in circulation because several airline credit cards throw in lounge passes as incentives for applications.

Passes for the United Club, the Delta Sky Club, and the American Airlines Admiral Club are readily available on the Ebay auction site.

I checked the prices of “completed listings” on Ebay and found a big price variation depending on the airline club.

Can you guess which club passes command the highest prices on Ebay?

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Airport Tours: Horses, and Rollerblades and Motorcycles, Oh My!

How would you like to combine your interest in aviation with your favorite sport — whether it be horseback riding, bicycling, or roller blading?Cincinnatti Airport by Horseback

Are you fascinated with art, history, architecture and photography?

Look no further than the public programs at airports here and abroad!

I have a guest post this week on unusual airport tours at FrugalTravelGuy.

I invite you to check it out!

“I Knew We Were in Vegas When . . .

Las Vegas International Airport
Slot Machines at McCarran International Airport
Joel Shprentz Photo

Are you flying Southwest Airlines anytime soon?  

I’d like to buy you a drink!

Please add your comments below for a chance to win two Southwest Airlines drink coupons!  

The coupons are good for beer, wine, spirits, or VitaminWater!

To enter the contest, just comment below with your response:

Bally Hotel in Las Vegas
The View from Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Casino
Joel Shprentz Photo

I knew we were in Vegas when . . .

we stepped off the plane and the slot machines were right there.

I knew we were in Vegas when . . .

we landed at 6 p.m. and it was 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

I knew we were in Vegas when . . .

 we looked out the hotel window and saw a showgirl.

I knew we were in Vegas when . . .

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JFK’s Flying Saucer Terminal Tops List of Most Endangered Historic Sites

The iconic Worldport Terminal at JFK International Airport has been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) list of 11 Most Endangered Places.

Worldport Terminal Pictured in Chevy Ad<br />Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich
Worldport Terminal Pictured in Chevy Ad
Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich

The terminal, once home to Pan Am, opened in 1960 and symbolizes America’s entry into the Jet Age.  The first commercial flights of the Boeing 707, the first “modern” jetliner, departed from the Worldport Terminal.    The terminal was designed to allow for aircraft to be parked under the partial overhang.

The flying saucer-shaped building  has been featured in several Hollywood films, as well as the Mad Men inspired Pan Am TV series.  A Pan Am Boeing 747 and the Worldport appear in the James Bond film Live and Let Die,  and the terminal is featured in The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage, and That Touch of Mink with Doris Day.

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