Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Wow! I am loving the new sound system and acoustic pannels in the terminal. I know this may not seem like a big deal to some people, but as the person who gets to look at all the comment cards when they come in, I can tell you that actually being able to hear boarding and gate announcments is important to most travelers! And guess what? Since the panels and new equipment have been installed, there have been no complaints…zip…nada…not a single comment about not being able to hear announcments.

It took a lot of time and a lot of money (mostly from grants), but I think the problem may finally be solved. And, in the process, we were able to add some color to the terminal as a bonus.

Now, if we could just make everyone happy with the music and news channel choices……We’ll keep trying.

There’s lots of red, white and blue around, but it isn’t just for Independance Day. July 2, Tri-Cities Regional Airport celebrates the launch of American Eagle’s nonstop service between TRI and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). This service has been a long time in the making, so it’s pretty sweet to see it come to fruition.

American Eagle is starting the service with two round-trips a day on 44-seat regional jet aircraft–just perfect for TRI. And for a limited time, passengers can get bonus AAdvantage miles when they travel between TRI and ORD. There is some really attractive pricing, too, especially if you can travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays before September 29 and book your flight by July 9. For more information on promotions and pricing, go to AA.com.

Now that the flights to Chicago are here, it’s going to be up to the traveling public to use the service. If Chicago is successful, we could stand a good chance of getting another new destination in the future. And growth in air service is truly worth celebrating!

Tri-Cities Regional Airport’s giftshop is getting a facelift as part of a management change. What was formerly Jule’s Giftshop will soon be Tailwinds Gifts, now that the Tailwinds Restaurant is taking over management. In addition to some cosmetic improvements and changes in merchandise, Tailwinds Gifts opened a sattelite store in the concourse past security. Passengers can now pick up news and gift items near the gate, which is a welcome convenience for those last minute items. The main gift shop is set to reopen in late June or early July, so if you are traveling this summer, stop by and check it out.

Check out the photos of the Russian Antonov 124 that visited TRI last Friday to pick up some heavy cargo. Wow! This beast was massive.

Some great things are starting to happen for Tri-Cities Regional Airport. We were extremely pleased to see that Delta Air Lines is adding a second daily flight to Detroit starting June 10. This additional service gives TRI passengers more choice, more seats and more convenient connections, especially during the busy summer travel season. Good job, Delta! Your passengers thank you.

Great News Tri-Cities! American Eagle is coming to Tri-Cities Regional Airport with nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare! July 2, American Eagle will start flying TRI-ORD with 44-seat Embraer Regional Jets twice a day. Not only will passengers have the advantage of quick, easy, nonstop flights, they’ll be able to access American Airlines’ extensive domestic and international network.

We’ve been working on this service for a long time, and with a little help from the business community, the effort is paying off. When July 2 gets here, lets make sure the service is successful…and it will be here before you know it.

Earlier this month, we marked the return of nonstop service between Tri-Cities and Detroit. That’s right, you can now get to Motown easily and quickly on Delta’s daily jet service.

“I thought TRI already had Detroit service,” you might say…and you would be right up until last June when it went away following the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines. However, Delta has now brought it back and we’re betting the Detroit hub with be very popular with our Delta travelers who are looking for an alternative to connecting in Atlanta.

And remember, the more people use the service, the better the chance that Delta will add in additional daily trips. So, when you are planning your next flight, be sure to check out Delta’s connections through Detroit.

You’ve heard it a hundred times…”get to the airport early.” At large airport’s, it’s a must-do if you expect to get checked in and through the security que. At TRI, frequent travelers have gotten used to being able to push the clock a bit when it comes to arrival times. But beginning Monday of this week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented new baggage screening processes that are going to take a little more time behind the scenes. They have asked that passengers be at the airport at least an hour before their flight to check their baggage and allow enough time for TSA to screen it. This really isn’t a new request, but this time they really mean it!

The bottom line is, if you get to the airport late and TSA doesn’t have time to screen your bag, then you will miss your flight…and nobody wants that. In addition, be sure you are through the security checkpoint and in the gate area at least 30 minutes before your flight. Usually the lines for check-in and security at TRI are very short, but back-ups do happen. It’s better to wait a few extra minutes at the gate than miss your flight because you didn’t get through security in time. And it’s better on your blood pressure, too.

Good news for future Delta passengers! Nonstop service between Detroit and Tri-Cities is on its way back. Beginning February 11, you’ll be able to access the Delta/Northwest route system in Detroit, including all the great domestic and international connections available.

The return of DTW service comes as a relief after learning about the end of Cincinnati as a connecting option for TRI. Although we’re starting with one roundtrip flight a day, it will be aboard a 50-seat regional jet. And, if demand is strong enough, it’s a pretty good bet that Delta will increase the number of daily flights. So, if you need to get to Detroit, or just don’t want to connect in Atlanta or Charlotte, an easy option is just a few weeks away.

Attention all you TRI passengers looking for warmer weather. Allegiant Air has brought back nonstop, low fare service to the Tampa area through Clearwater/St. Petersburg (PIE). After a couple of months off, Tampa service returns with two flights each week–Monday and Friday evenings. That’s just perfect for a long weekend! To book flights, check out Allegiant’s website at www.allegiantair.com. And for all the TRI fans in Florida, the holidays are just around the corner. We’d love to see you.