Airports bring back Valentine’s Day freebies and shortcuts to love
Like so many things, last year the pandemic put airport celebrations in honor of Valentine's Day on hold. But hearts will soar this year when passengers encounter fun freebies and heartwarming perks that these airports and others have planned.
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Pop-Up Marriage License Bureau at the Las Vegas Airport
In Las Vegas, the "Marriage Capital of the World," Nevada's Clark County clerk's office is bringing back its pop-up marriage license bureau to the airport now known as Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
The pop-up will be open from Thursday, Feb. 10 to Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, in the Terminal 1 baggage claim area by Carousel 5.
The airport Clerk's temporary office will be issuing marriage licenses only. An officiant will have to perform a wedding ceremony, sign the paperwork and file it with the County for the marriage to be official. But getting a license at the airport means couples can skip the trip to the Marriage License Bureau in downtown Las Vegas. Lovebirds can also speed up the process by filling out the marriage license application online before they arrive.
Marriage licenses cost $105.29 (credit/debit cards only), and $50 from every marriage license in Nevada goes toward funding to support victims of domestic violence.
As a nice bonus, this month Clark County expects to issue its 5 millionth marriage license and has proclaimed Feb. Wedding Month. To celebrate, there will be a wide variety of special promotions for newlyweds ranging from complimentary champagne toasts to specialty desserts, wedding discounts, and shout-outs from their favorite entertainers for those who sign up for a free pass, which is a collection of attractions, retailers and restaurants offering discounts.
Music, treats and free flowers for travelers in Philly
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), in the "City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection," will kick off Valentine's Day celebrations early on Friday, Feb. 11 by handing out 800 red, pink and white carnations to passengers from five airport information counters starting at 10 a.m.
Philadelphia artist Carole Loeffler also be on-site to hand out 200 of her "Heartfelt Messages of Love." The red hearts are made of hand-cut felt and bear one of 3 different messages handwritten on pink paper including:
You are loved
Your story matters
You've got this
Look for Loeffler on the stage between Terminals B and C from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Love is in the air in Tampa, Jacksonville and Chicago
On Valentine's Day, Monday, Feb. 14, a live duo will be serenading travelers with love songs at Tampa International Airport (TPA) from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Main Terminal, and 200 roses will be handed out to passengers between airside A and C.
Florida's Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is also bringing back its Valentine's Day tradition of handing out 1,000 red, white and pink carnations to passengers. The airport started this tradition in 2009, but had to skip it last year due to the pandemic.
The "Random Acts of Love" events returns to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) this year as well. "We've put together an activity book for children. We'll be giving away some chocolate. And we will have performances on the Live at Love Stage," says airport spokesman Christopher Perry. "Lovey, our heart mascot, might even make an appearance."
O'Hare and Midway Airports in Chicago (ORD) will host their annual "Love is in the Air" events to celebrate Valentine's Day.
On Friday Feb. 11, at Midway Airport, the CoverGirls Violin Show will perform in the Central Market (post-security) at Midway Airport from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Midway will also host a Valentine's Day-themed gift pop-up and selfie wall in the Central Market that day and welcome a performance by Return2Soul on Feb. 14 from noon to 3 p.m.
At O'Hare, violinist Windy Indie will perform in the Terminal 3 Rotunda on Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, and there will be various Valentine's Day-themed merchandise pop-ups at participating shops from Feb. 7 - 14.
Reno revs up for v-day
The Kindness Take Flight team at Reno Airport, which recently charmed passengers with its free compliments kiosk, is ready to double down on the love for Valentine's Day with a Valentine-decorated treat table.
Between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Valentine's gifts for passengers, visitors and staff will include paper airplanes and chocolate hearts as well as hand sanitizers with attached Valentines that say "Spread LOVE, not Germs" or "Hands Down You're the Best." Red masks with sayings such as "We can't MASK how much we appreciate you" will also be available. For those traveling with dogs or on their way to home to a pup, the Paws 4 Passengers volunteers will be handing out doggie packets of dog treats with sayings such as "My Valentine has Paws."
Phoenix hearts February
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) plans to distribute chocolate treats to customers starting on Valentine's Day and continuing through the week. In honor of both Valentine's Day and Heart Month, the airport's 24th Street Sky Train station and Rental Car Center station will be illuminated red.
Valentine's Day in style at the TWA Hotel at JFK
And if you happen to be catching a late night flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Valentine's Day, make your way to the TWA Hotel, where The Paris Café by Jean-Georges (open until 10 p.m.) will have a special prix fixe menu for Valentine's Day. If you need a last-minute gift, the TWA Hotel store, which is filled with red-colored travel gifts, is offering "Sweetheart Deals" for the holiday.
Airlines will spread some love too
Fun-loving employees of Southwest Airlines (stock ticker symbol: LUV) will celebrate Valentine's Day by decorating gate areas. But because Southwest is not restoring alcohol drink service until Feb. 16, the tradition of offering passengers a free drink on Valentine's Day will be skipped this year.
And through Feb. 13, Virgin Atlantic is hosting a "Tickets to Love" sweepstakes to give eight single Americans the chance to find love in London with a weekend stay in London.
To enter the contest, you'll need to pitch your case to the airline and explain why you deserve a trip to the U.K. to find love. The eight winners will fly from New York to London in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class cabin on March 11 after hanging out in the carrier's Clubhouse at JFK airport and getting a love reading from a psychic on-site who, we predict, will predict romance ahead.