Here’s the next installment of our Tour of Airports feature. There are two more “C” states remaining, now that California is completed:

• Colorado: Denver International Airport (DEN, aka DIA – tugo’s home base)
  DIA is the only major airport built in the United States in the last 25 years. No wonder it seems so modern! 
  

  Photograph provided courtesy of Denver International Airport.

  The roof of the Jeppeson Terminal (above) is the airport’s signature, made of a Teflon-coated fiberglass material as thin as a credit card. It is designed to be reminiscent of the area’s snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The terminal is before security, however, so if you’re on a layover be sure to leave time to get back through if you want to check it out.
  Two fun things to do inside security are to cross the only passenger bridge in the U.S . where you can watch an airplane taxi under your feet (Concourse A, shown below) and to ride the underground train between the concourses. Take the northbound tunnel and be sure to look for the 5,280 propellers on the wall that are part of the “Kinetic Light Air Curtain.”

  

  Photograph provided courtesy of Denver International Airport.

• Connecticut: Bradley International Airport (BDL)
  BDL is located in Windsor Locks, and Wikipedia says it’s the second-busiest airport in New England after Boston’s Logan International Airport. If you have the time on a layover, take the short trip over to the New England Air Museum, where they have over 125 aircraft and one of the world’s outstanding collections of aviation artifacts. There are lots of things to do with children, including cockpit tours and flight simulators. 
  

  Photo Credit: New England Air Museum website

Next up: “D” is for Delaware, “F” is for Florida, “G” is for Georgia, and “H” is for Hawaii. Stay tuned, and in the meantime please let us know if you have a tip for an airport you frequent.

Previous:
“A” is for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas
“C” is for California (all 8 of them!)

Here’s the second installment of our Tour of Airports feature. There are three “C” states to cover, but since California wins the award for the most large airports (that would be 8!) it gets its own edition:

• Burbank: Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
  Bob Hope Airport was the primary airport in LA until the end of World War II. Since then the area has grown a lot, and now the airport is modest in comparison to others nearby. The primary attraction is the proximity to downtown and the convenience the location and smaller size afford. Plus the name is more entertaining that most. 
  

  Photo credit: www.burbankairport.com

• Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  Well, since the Theme Building of LAX is such an iconic landmark, it makes sense that a meal at the Encounter Restaurant (online reservations available) would be a must-do when you’re there. Just be sure to allow for time to get back in since it is located outside of security. After being closed post-September 11th, the observation deck is now open on Saturdays and Sundays for a full view of the LAX area. 
  

  Photo credit: www.encounterlax.com

  Runner-up LAX activity for those of us without one at home is to jet over to the nearby In-N-Out Burger; it’s adjacent to a small park popular with plane spotters. Take the free shuttle to Economy Lot C and cross the street at 96th St. and Sepulveda Blvd.

• Oakland: Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  Oakland’s Terminal 2 actually installed art that is pleasant to look at! As part of its renovation in 2006, the piece, titled “Going Away, Coming Home” by Hung Liu is made of 160 feet of glass panels of  red-crowned cranes, which are a symbol of blessings and safe travel. Nice! 
  

  Photo credit: www.flyoakland.com

• Sacramento: Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  Sacramento’s piece, entitled “Samson,” is a fun diversion while awaiting the arrival of your bag in the baggage claim area of Terminal A. It consists of 1,400 pieces of luggage in two 23-foot stacks. 
  

  Photo credit: Stuck at the Airport blog

• San Diego: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
  Ahhh, what a great idea. San Diego’s Terminal 2 has these rocking chairs set up (near a Starbucks, please note!) for a simple yet pleasant (and seemingly forgotten about) past-time: watching the planes. Love it. 
  

  Photo credit: jaunted.com

• San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  SFO wins the award for convenience with their “hydration station.” You can bring an empty bottle through security and then fill up on the other side at their water bottle refilling area. We can only hope this is a popular trend! 
  

  Photo credit: jaunted.com

  Those traveling with youngsters (and their fellow travelers!) will be pleased to see the “Kids’ Spot”  in Terminal 3. Children can “let off steam” at this weather-themed area before getting on the plane.

  

  Photo credit: www.flysfo.com

• San Jose: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
  Of course Silicon Valley’s airport would have art installations with the theme “Art+Technology,” like this one located in Terminal B. Entitled “Space Observer,” it is interactive with moving parts and an “eye” that displays images from embedded cameras. 
  

  Photo credit: www.flysanjose.com

• Santa Ana: John Wayne Airport – Orange County (SNA)
  Sorry, SNA. The John Wayne Airport doesn’t have anything on DISNEYLAND. It’s only 14 miles away and it is the happiest place on earth. So if there are a few hours to kill, why not?!? 
  

  Cheesy Photo Credit: http://pirates.wikia.com/wiki/Disneyland

Next up: the remaining “C” states! Stay tuned, and in the meantime please let us know if you have a tip for an airport you frequent.

Previous: “A” is for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas

Here’s the first installment of our Tour of Airports feature. Four “A” states to cover so without further ado, here we go:

• Alabama: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
  The airport is currently undergoing a major renovation (timeline: 3-5 years) that will doubtlessly include some must-see items when it is done. But for now the must-see feature is actually next door- well, really 3 blocks away: the Southern Museum of Flight, which has plenty of neat things to see, including artifacts from the Red Baron and Amelia Earhart. One of the most popular attractions are the realistic flight simulators.

Photo credit: Southern Museum of Flight website

• Alaska: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
  

  Photo credit: photobucket user esina000

  If you can tear yourself away from the windows that display the beautiful mountains that surround the city, you will find stuffed bears that are fun for both kids and adults to check out close-up, including a polar bear and this record Kodiak grizzly bear below.

  

  Photo credit: Stuck At the Airport blog

• Arizona: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  PHX was the first airport to install the “backscatter” x-ray scanners in 2007, and they are so pro-pet that they have a pet park in each of the three (!) terminals, but we’ll have to go with the view as one of the main attractions at this airport (beautifully different from the mountains in ANC), especially if you can catch it as the sun is setting. 
  

  Photo credit: Flickr user LoLo_09

• Arkansas: Little Rock National Airport/Adams Field (LIT)
  Little Rock’s airport is the smallest on the list, but still has some features worth checking out. The first item, however, isn’t actually in the airport… it’s their really user-friendly website, including social media! Well done. The big boys should take notes (hear that, ANC?!?). 
  

  Photo credit: www.fly-lit.com

  There is also the “Arkansas Gallery” that showcases art and culture of the state and free concerts at the “Market Place” stage, both of which are outside of security.

Next up: the “C” states! Stay tuned, and in the meantime please let us know if you have a tip for an airport you frequent.

Here’s a preview to get you started. Can you match the airport with its claim to fame (if you want to call them that) below?

• A. Denver
• B. Chicago O’Hare
• C. Atlanta
• D. Vegas
• E. Charlotte
• F. Minneapolis
• G. San Francisco
• H. Philadelphia

1. Minute Suites (at two of the above airports!) offer small but clean and plush rooms for relaxing, doing business, or napping! Pricing starts at a $30 minimum for an hour, adds $7.50 for each additional 15-minute increment, and at more than 4 hours various discounts apply. There are also special rates for pilots, airline employees, and military personnel.
   

   Photo Credit: Jaunted

2. The “Freshen Up!” Store is a great idea, offering shower rooms, massage chairs, a place to iron your clothes and lots of travel-sized toiletries and basics that would come in handy if stranded, like underwear, socks, and pantyhose. Why doesn’t every airport have one of these?!
   

   Photo Credit: Stuck At the Airport

3. Live Bathroom Attendants at this airport will greet you, guide you to the a stall and even pump the hand towel machine for you. Their purpose, however, is reported to be to regulate bathroom traffic and maintain cleanliness. So we guess it makes sense. Kind of.
4. “Fountain of the Future” Super-Deluxe Coca-Cola Machines with touch-screens that let you select from around 100 options can provide minutes of entertainment while waiting at the airport in the town that is home to Coke headquarters.
   

   Photo Credit: Jaunted

    

    

5. A Liquor Store Near Baggage Claim doesn’t actually exist at this airport yet, but the airport considering adding this store will come as no surprise. Probably not a great idea, but no doubt would be successful.
6. Pirates Statues, through August 2011, are entertainment for both the young and the old, especially since pirates are currently so popular (thanks, Johnny!). Life-sized statues are scattered around this airport, promoting an exhibit at this city’s Museum of Nature & Science.
   

   Photo Credit: Stuck At the Airport

7. “Sugar Pop” Candy Shop provides a happy diversion for both the youngsters and the young at heart that are on the go at this airport.
   

   Photo Credit: Jaunted

8. “Magic Ad” Bathroom Mirrors and Water Fountains with Waterbottle Refill Features will keep travelers busy at this airport. The mirrors display ads until you approach, then magically switch to a regular mirror until you walk away. Neat because of the novelty, but they have a high potential to get on your nerves if they become commonplace. Can’t we pee in peace?!
   

   Photo Credit: Jaunted

   These neat water fountains with a water bottle refill option won’t be annoying however, just handy (and eco-conscious!). Especially if the liquids ban stays in place for the long-term. We love!

   

   Photo Credit: Jaunted

   There is a spot in the back to place your bottle where a sensor will fill your bottle super-quickly without even having to touch a button. There is a “Green Ticker” counting the number of plastic bottles it saves as it goes. Hooray!

So if you know of a must-see attraction at an airport near (or far from) you, let us know! You might see it in an upcoming edition.

Answers: A. 6; B. 8; C. 1 and 4; D. 5 (of course!); E. 3; F. 7; G. 2; H. 1

Credits: Jaunted and Stuck At the Airport blogs

You might recognize the storefront pictured above if you spend much time at Denver International Airport; as you can see, it belongs to First Class Baggage Co. They have been in business in the B Concourse of DIA since 1995, selling luggage, business cases, leather accessories, travel items, and now, the tugo luggage drink holder!

They believe in providing the best items for travelers to make their trips much more enjoyable. No wonder the tugo is now a part of the products they offer. Their tugo display, pictured below, fits right in with the rest of their wares.

Next time you’re in DIA stop by and say hello. They are located at the red arrow shown below in the “Center Core” of the B Concourse, near Itza Wrap! Itza Bowl! restaurant.

(Map of B Concourse from flydenver.com)

Thank you, First Class Baggage Co., for being a tugo retailer. We think you really ARE first class!

Sea-Tac Airport (SEA)
Location: Concourse C, North Satellite

At this west coast airport, you can pamper yourself with a manicure or a massage. The Massage Bar offers 15-minute single shot or 30-minute double shot massages. No appointments necessary. butter LONDON offers convenient manicure and pedicure services, as well as nail care products and gifts.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Location: Terminal G International, near Gates 95 & 97

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Location: Terminal 4

Flying through San Francisco or New York? You’ve got to check out the XpresSpa, an airports-only spa with branches across the country. The top-five treatments are a foot massage, neck & back massage, Mani-Xpress, Stress & Tension Eliminator, and the Pedi-Pure. XpresSpa also offers skincare, waxing, facials and much more.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Location: Terminal 3

At one of the busiest airports in the U.S., you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the relaxed vibe of BackRub Hub. The spa features licensed massage therapists who can help you ease the stress of travel with a 10-30 minute chair massage. No appointments are necessary.

Newark International Airport (EWR)
Location: Terminal C, Gate 92

While you’re passing through Newark International, stop by d_parture spa for a manicure, facial, scalp massage, foot rub or a mini-makeover. You can get a massage and some pampering, or learn a few beauty tips and tricks before you head out to your destination.

Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS)
Location: Terminal C

Miami International Airport (MIA)
Location: South Terminal H, Level 2

If you’re passing through Boston or Miami, check out the Jetsetter Mini Spa. Relax with a chair or table massage, or try out their fantastic manicure, pedicure and facial services. You’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and restored.

Traveling outside the U.S.? Find out about airport spas in Cancun, Calgary, Hong Kong and more in this article from Travel and Leisure.

Photo Credit: Travel and Leisure

Clocks Around the World

See the date and time in multiple cities around the world. This simple app lets you sync your clocks and makes it easy to chat or meet up with friends anywhere, anytime.

Trip It

This app claims to act as your own travel agent, letting you see your travel itineraries with all the details. Just send confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and your travel information is added and synced.

Hotels Near Me
Find a last-minute place to stay with this GPS hotel finder. More than 70,000 hotels in 71 different countries are included in the database.

Toilet/Bathroom Finder

Just like it sounds, Toilet Finder helps you locate the nearest public restrooms nearby. More than 60,000 toilet places around the world are included, and the app benefits from user-contributions — people report new or missing toilets.

Taxi Magic

This handy app lets you book a taxi without dialing the phone. A late night in a new city often means scrambling to figure out the nearest taxi company to call. This app lets you find taxis nearby, track your dispatched taxi on a map and pay by credit card.

aMetro

This app is the perfect tool to help you use public transportation in an unfamiliar city. See maps of transit systems all over the world — subways, metro, buses, trains and more. Find the right route between stations and estimate travel time.

Dropbox

Whether you’re traveling for business or school, Dropbox is a lifesaver because it makes it possible to bring your files with you. Quickly access and send your files no matter where you travel.

Talk to Me

This real-time speech translator for Android recognizes seven languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. It also performs direct speech-to-speech translations.

Wi-Fi Finder

Quickly find free or paid Wi-Fi when you travel with JiWire Wi-Fi Finder. Using the GPS on your phone, the Wi-Fi finder will tell you exactly where the closest Wi-Fi hotspots are and how to get there. Includes over 200,000 locations worldwide.

TripJournal

This fun app lets you record your trips and share them with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and various photo-sharing sites. Document your vacation experiences by tracking your route and recording photos, video and notes.

Do you have any other favorites? Please share!

• Baby Plane Shirt (via @Jaunted) from milkbomb.com. “Congratulations! You get to sit near me.” Too cute! Would almost make up for getting the seat next to a little one if he/she was wearing this.
• Sassy Coffee Sleeves (via @Topix) from trendhuntermagazine.com. Pretty funny; be sure to check out all the options. Something for everyone! We thought this was the snarkiest:
• Funny Bag Tags from inventivetravelware.com. Make great small gifts, and with this many choices you can pimp your luggage and make it stand out from the crowd.
• Clever Tampon Cases from miamica.com. Husbands/boyfriends: Consider it an early warning system. When you see the case in her bag or luggage, you’ll know it’s time to up the niceness factor 10 fold to keep yourself out of hot water. Everyone wins!

Have you seen any snarky gear lately? Do share!

• 

  www.amazon.com

  Stash Sandals: Womens $48, Mens $57.

“Aptly named, the Stash from Reef is more than just a sandal. The heel opens up to stow your secret treasures, while the stylish leather-like upper and generously padded footbed will have you looking good and feeling better.”

It seems that there are two versions of these sandals out there. The earlier version is a little drawer that you pull out. The newer (more available) version is shown here, where you pull the heel up to access the compartment. The drawer idea seems more durable, because you’d think that in time the velcro would lose its effectiveness. But there could certainly be situations where these sandals would come in quite handy.

• 

  www.spyville.com

  Brief Safe: Retail $24.99, Sale $19.99.

“The “Brief Safe” is an innovative diversion safe that can secure your cash, documents, and other small valuables from inquisitive eyes and thieving hands, both at home and when you’re traveling. Items can be hidden right under their noses with these specially-designed briefs which contain a fly-accessed 4″ x 10″ secret compartment with Velcro closure and “special markings” on the lower rear portion.”

Yes, this is totally gross. But honestly, it make a whole lot of sense. NO ONE will mess with your  stuff. Enough said.

• 

  www.snazzynapper.com

  Snazzynapper: Original $14.99, XL $24.99.

“Use your Snazzy Napper™ and get your much needed sleep anywhere, anytime! It’s like privacy in a bag.”

The problem it tries to solve is definitely there, but for some reason we’re finding the nose hole quite amusing. It is interesting that planes are really the only place where it is acceptable and commonplace to get your zzz’s in public. And if you really need to sleep but have difficulty, this gadget could potentially really help block out light and distractions, as well as add the comfort of knowing that if you are drooling with your mouth open, no one will be the wiser. At least the print shows it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

So what do you think about these products? Useful or useless? What other products out there make you wonder?

The are lots of sanitary products for the traveler out there; stay tuned for a post with a hygiene theme!

Before You Board

• Get some rest: It’s tempting to stay up late in hopes of sleeping through a flight but crowded cabins are hardly a peaceful oasis. Get a full night’s rest before your flight and you’ll still have plenty of energy for business or pleasure when you land.
• Carry-on snacks: Stay healthy by packing your own snacks, such as a string cheese and nuts, along with an apple or banana. The combination of protein and high-fiber will keep you fuller longer and help you avoid the 1000-calorie airport combo later.

At the Airport

• Get a healthy start: No time for breakfast at home? At the airport, look for healthy options such as a whole-wheat bagel, yogurt or fresh fruit. For a heartier option, try an egg sandwich on an english-muffin, but make sure to skip add-ons like bacon or cheese.
• Eat lightly: If lunchtime coincides with your flight, avoid indulging in a cheeseburger or buffalo wings. Although these familiar favorites may seem like a good way to alleviate stress, they could actually make you feel worse. Look for lighter, low-calorie options such as a salad with fat-free dressing or a simple sub.

During the Flight

• Move around: Long hours in cramped airplane seats can wreak havoc on the body. Avoid crossing your legs and be sure to move around the cabin. Simple calf stretches can help blood circulation and reduce your chance of a blood clot.
• Hydrate: Don’t let a pressurized cabin and low humidity levels get the best of you. Drink water and avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages. Stay hydrated by purchasing a water bottle. For a greener option, pack a stainless steel water bottle and fill it up at an airport coffee shop once you pass through security.

This post is based on an article written for our customer newsletter. Join the mailing list here.
For more ways to stay healthy and improve your next flight, check out tugo’s Top 10 Travel Tips.

Sources:
EHow: Healthy Airplane Snacks
Associated Content: Keep Healthy While Flying
WebMD: Keep Healthy While Flying