San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
GROUNDED OPTIONS
Wary Traveler: Airport nerds can dine on a plane, explore terminals — all without catching a flight.
For most travelers, flying is off-limits during the global pandemic. But at least a few aviation nerds are so desperate to experience airports and flying again, they’re willing to fork over big bucks to eat inside a parked airplane.
Singapore Airlines recently offered a chance to dine inside a double-decker Airbus A380 — the world’s largest passenger aircraft — while parked at Singapore’s airport. The onboard event sold out on four weekends in October and early November.
Prices ranged from $53.50 in economy class to $321 in business class to $642 for dinner in the airline’s luxury suites. The higher prices included more legroom andmore elaboratemeals.
Allmeals came with two complimentary alcoholic beverages and a continuous flow of nonalcoholic drinks.
Even though the plane never left the ground, the airline offered frequent flyer miles tomembers for dining in the parked jumbo jet.
Outcries fromenvironmentalists recently ended another venture at the airport — flights to nowhere. The flights took off from and landed several hours later at Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport.
Singapore Airlines announced Sept. 29 it had ditched the flights after activists complained the airline was encouraging “carbonintensive travel for no good reason.”
Jewel Changi Airport, by the way, is rated by some frequent flyers as one of the world’s best.
The airport features Canopy Park, an atrium with the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. In addition, it offers garden trails with flowers, slides and animalshaped floral displays.
Outside the park, visitors can enjoy a hedge maze, mirror maze and suspension nets for a recreational walk or jump.
Best of all, it’s all pre-security. In the U.S., too, there are some people can’t stay away froman airport, even if they aren’t boarding a plane.
One ofmy favorite airfields — Detroit MetropolitanWayne County Airport — resumed its Destination Pass programon Sept. 1, allowing access to the airport without a plane ticket. Visitorsmust make a reservation on the airport’s website.
After going through airport security, visitors can roam free. They canmunch on a hot dog at Leo’s Coney Island, buy a shirt at Brooks Brothers or check out golf clubs at the PGA Tour Shop.
Or how about a sauvignon blanc at the Robert Mondavi Experience? The tasting room doesn’t beat the winery tour in Northern California, but it is 2,300 miles closer if you happen to be in Detroit.
Monorail fans can board the tram for a mile-long journey and bird’s-eye view of the main terminal.
Travelers can also work up a sweat after their monorail rides, walking back to their starting point for some exercise in climate-controlled comfort.
For some, of course, the highlight of an airport visit may be the pure enjoyment of watching planes prepare for takeoff.
The Destination Pass program began in October 2019, but the COVID-19 outbreak caused a suspension in late March, according to Lisa Gass, a spokeswoman for theWayne County Airport Authority.
She said the program resumed Sept. 1 due to public demand but that some shops are still closed. Airport statistics show that 45 of the 51 shops are open.
Another visitor program, at the Pittsburgh International Airport, is currently suspended.
The 3-year-old Pittsburgh programoften attracted shoppers who came early tomake purchases beforemeeting relatives or friends at their arrival gate, said airport spokesman Bob Kerlik.
“We had a lot of meeters and greeters,” he said, adding that aviation buffs were another group of visitors.
The airport has not determined when the programwill start again.
I have to admit I aman airport nerdmyself. I amfascinated with the excitement of travel. The idea that you can walk onto a plane and land in another part of the world within a few hours is exhilarating.
I lived in San Francisco for 10 years until 2019, and San Francisco International Airport did not have a visitors program.
But one of the four airport terminals for international flights offered many diversions presecurity, a throwback to the times before 9/11, when a plane ticket was not required to explore terminals.
The activities included a small movie theater that showed documentary and nature films, and art exhibits that graced the terminal halls. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art also had a great gift shop in the terminal with art books, posters and turquoise jewelry. It was the only other location outside the downtown museum.
My favorite part of the international terminal was the sushi bar at Ebisu, a popular Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. I loved this airport location because I could order an assortment of raw fish without the 45-minute wait of themain restaurant in the city’s Sunset neighborhood.
Unfortunately, Ebisu’s lack of customers forced the restaurant to close the airport location. But I found a new favorite, Burger
Joint, known for its juicy burgers.
When Burger Joint’s location in the Mission District closed, the one at San Francisco International remained open. It became reason enough tomake a trip to the airport — flight or no flight!