Tips to Make Your Holiday Travel Brighter
December 14th, 2011
The holidays are finally here and you may already be stressing over everything you have to do in the upcoming weeks. Well go ahead and take a deep breath and relax about your travel plans because we have you covered with some tips to make your travel easier and a little brighter this holiday season!
If you haven’t booked your flight yet then now is the time to start looking, either through a travel agent or an online airfare search engine such as Travelocity.com. Make sure you check all of the airlines to find the best deal, especially right now when they are competing for your business, and if you have any flexibility in your travel plans, try using a flexible date search to find the lowest fares possible.
While you’re online don’t forget to register for our free traveler rewards program, Thanks Again, if you haven’t already. The Chattanooga Airport, in partnership with Republic Parking and Thanks Again, wants to say thank you for your business so every time you park, shop or dine at the airport you receive miles to your preferred airline rewards program. And for the whole month of December, when you use your registered credit or debit card at the airport you will be rewarded with double miles. You can enroll in the program and review full terms and conditions through www.thanksagain.com/cha. You can also ‘like’ Thanks Again on Facebook for additional opportunities to win miles throughout the year.
Next, when you are ready to start packing your bags, make sure you refer to the TSA’s website, www.tsa.gov to find out the latest rules and regulations regarding what you pack in your checked luggage, and what is acceptable to carry on. Remember that the 3-1-1 rule regarding liquids is still in effect so you should be extra careful how you pack your shampoos and perfumes. If you are planning to take a pet with you make sure you review your airline’s pet policy, which can be found on their website, to ensure you have Fido packed correctly as well.
Plan to arrive a little earlier for your flight than normal. The holidays are a busy travel time and arriving early will ensure you get through the security checkpoint in a timely manner so you can relax at the gate while you wait for your plane. And pay close attention to your departure time so you don’t miss the deadline for checking in for your flight. Keep in mind that many of the airlines close their ticket counters 30 minutes prior to departure in order to greet the incoming plane, so you want to be checked in before that time.
Finally, no matter what your plans include, take time to enjoy this holiday season and all of the sights, sounds and festivities with your loved ones. Happy holidays from CHA!
Posted by Sarah Stephens | 0 Comment(s)
Chattanooga Airport CEO Mike Landguth Accepts Position in Raleigh-Durham
October 10th, 2011
Executive departs airport after 12 years in leadership
Mike Landguth, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority (CMAA), has accepted the position as Airport Director of the Raleigh-Durham Airport. He has submitted his resignation to the airport’s board of commissioners, effective November 4. Landguth has served as President and CEO since July of 2004, and Vice President of Operations at the Chattanooga Airport since 1999.
"During my time at the airport, I have worked with a talented team of people and we have been able to accomplish a great deal for the community, including more air service options and lower fares for our passengers, as well as securing over $70 million in grant funding for infrastructure development and diversifying our revenue stream so that the airport is not as dependent on the financial fluctuations of the airline industry," said Landguth. "Although I am eager to tackle the new opportunities in Raleigh-Durham, I have loved living and working in Chattanooga and my family and I will always feel at home in this town."
Dan Jacobson, the Chairman of the CMAA, said, "Mike Landguth brought a unique combination of strategic vision and old-fashioned work ethic to our leadership team. Together we have worked through countless challenges within the aviation industry. His passion and vision and love for aviation and this city will be missed. He has left our airport and our community stronger than he found it."
Jacobson said the CMAA will immediately begin searching for Landguth’s successor.
Posted by Christina Siebold | 0 Comment(s)
A Fall Color Cruise in the Sky
September 29th, 2011
We are blessed to live in a beautiful part of the country, and this is never as apparent as during the fall color season. The elevated ridges and rolling valleys surrounding our community are a perfect canvas for the blazing colors of autumn. If you are looking for a new perspective on this glorious season, look no further than the Chattanooga Airport.
Crystal Air, a scheduled charter airline, offers passengers an aerial tour of the Chattanooga region, giving you an amazing vantage point on the season. Every weekend in October Crystal Air will take passengers for an air tour of the Chattanooga region, including the Tennessee River Gorge and Raccoon Mountain. Each Saturday and Sunday flights will start at 7:30 a.m. from Wilson Air Center and continue through the day as demand dictates. The cost of the flight is $50 per person and reservations can be made by phone at (423) 236-5100 or through email to info@CrystalAirOnline.com. Go to www.CrystalAirOnline.com for more information about these special flights.
PS: Don’t forget your camera!
Posted by Sarah Stephens | 0 Comment(s)
Happy Fourth of July from CHA!
July 1st, 2011
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We love Independence Day! This holiday is particularly meaningful when we have so many military men and women overseas sacrificing to keep our country safe. Just a few days ago we saw firsthand the joyful side of that sacrifice – The Homecoming – when a local police chief flew back to Chattanooga after an 11-month deployment in Kuwait. Soddy Daisy Police Chief, Phil Hamrick, touched down at the Chattanooga Airport on Wednesday and was immediately greeted with cheers and hugs from his family and friends – and many of Soddy Daisy’s finest – as they welcomed the Chief back home. Working at the airport gives us a front row seat to so many tearful goodbyes, but it is these joyful reunions as our soldiers step back onto Tennessee soil that I love the most. Chief Hamrick - welcome home and thank you for your service. Wishing you all a safe and happy July 4th, and sending our deepest gratitude to all of our veterans and active duty military for their many contributions to our freedom. |
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Posted by Sarah Stephens | 0 Comment(s)
Finding the Best Deals on Fares: A How-To
June 16th, 2011
Every time someone finds out I work for the airport they ask me two questions:
1. Do I get to fly free?
2. How do I find the best deals on fares?
The answer to the first question is definitely no! The Airport Authority has a similar relationship with the airlines as a mall operator with their department stores; the airlines operate under their own names, with their own employees, while meeting the rules and regulations of the Airport Authority. So we enjoy watching the planes take off and land all day through our office windows, but if we want to get on one of them, we have to pay just like everyone else!
But working for the airport does have its perks, especially when it comes to knowing how to find good deals on fares, and I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned with my friends. So if you’ve been wondering how to find the best fares, then read my list below.
1. Don’t look at fares on the weekend. The airlines are smart - they know when the majority of people will search for fares and 9 times out of 10 the fares will be higher if you look at them over the weekend. In the past two years I’ve noticed the lowest fares are always put out midweek - late Tuesday through late Thursday. If you can, look during that window of time. Just remember to read the fine print on those deeply discounted fares, as they may have restrictions.
2. Be flexible with your travel dates. Use the flexible date search on a travel search engine like www.Travelocity.com or www.CheapAir.com. These sites will display the lowest fares first, regardless of airline, which will give you a great guide for finding the best deal. Keep in mind that some of the airlines are no longer using all of the travel websites so if you don’t see your preferred carrier on the list, try a second website to compare.
3. Don’t book at the last minute. There will always be last minute situations where you have to take what you can get, but you can often get a better deal by booking in advance – 21 days is best.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call a seasoned travel agent. They know how to navigate the system, and can often put together a whole package for you, streamlining the process.
5. Check ALL of the airlines, not just a preferred carrier. Any major airline can get you where you need to go by way of their hubs, so they are all competing for your business. If we only fly one preferred carrier (due to frequent flyer point loyalty or habit), we diminish the competition and that airline no longer has to fight for your business, so the fares and service will suffer. Supporting ALL of the airlines in Chattanooga keeps everyone on their toes, because they recognize that if they don’t give you great service at a fair price, you will take your business to their competitor. So check all of the airlines to find the best price…you just might find a new favorite!
6. Fly Chattanooga. As one passenger told me this week, Chattanooga has ‘surprisingly competitive’ fares, we have a hassle free security checkpoint so you can get to your gate quickly and easily, our nine nonstop destinations give you hundreds of worldwide connection options, and you just can’t beat the convenience of flying from your hometown airport. Who wants to spend all their money feeding the gas tank anyway?
Safe travels to you and your family this summer...and we will see you at the airport!
Posted by Sarah Stephens | 1 Comment(s)
