AirTran adds four new cities and nearly a dozen daily departures

Spring out of MKE on AirTran Airways! The low-fare carrier is launching 11 new flights out of MKE, beginning in May.

AirTran begins daily nonstop flights between MKE and four new destinations: Branson, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; and seasonal service to Denver, Colo.

The airline also will extend service to three seasonal destinations – Los Angeles, Boston and Tampa/St. Petersburg – to year-round service. Seasonal service to both San Francisco and Seattle/Tacoma has been prolonged through October 30.

The new and extended service will result in a total of 30 daily departures from MKE for the peak summer schedule, up from 21 in summer 2008 – a 43 percent increase from last year.

To put even more spring in your air-travel step, AirTran is offering low introductory fares. Tickets can be booked on www.AirTran.com and must be purchased by March 23, 2009, for travel through June 17, 2009.

Delta introduces service to the Big Apple, the Great Salt Lake and abroad

Beginning May 1, Delta Airlines will introduce one daily nonstop flight to New York’s JFK Airport. Passengers can jet to New York to experience all “The City that Never Sleeps” has to offer, including museums, Broadway hits and delectable food.

Those looking for a more laid back destination can escape to Salt Lake City and take advantage of a hike at one of five national parks or ski some of the greatest snow on earth. Twice-daily nonstop flights begin June 4.

Both nonstop offerings will connect travelers to Delta’s extensive international destinations. With just one stop, Milwaukee passengers can fly to Africa, Asia, Europe, South American and the Caribbean. Visit www.Delta.com for details and introductory fares.

More flights from Midwest – your vacation awaits

Just in time for summer travel, Midwest Airlines has announced expanded flight options to popular vacation destinations.

Beginning June 4, Midwest will add a fifth nonstop flight between MKE and Boston while also extending the airline’s popular MKE to Orlando service by adding a second daily nonstop flight. On May 1, air passengers flying from MKE to Los Angeles (connecting in Kansas City) will be on a larger aircraft.

Midwest Airlines is offering some sizzling rates to mark these flight offerings. Check out www.MidwestAirlines.com for more information.

The sky is not the limit

As airports go, MKE continues to set an enviable pace, serving a record number of passengers in 2008. Tallying nearly eight million passengers, MKE beat its 2007 record by three percent.

Why the growth? Increases in flight offerings, nonstop destinations and low fares all contributed to the bump, says Airport Director Barry Bateman. In addition, he noted increased popularity among both outbound northern Illinois residents, as well as inbound passengers traveling to Chicagoland from other cities.

“In 2008, 18,000 more cars with Illinois license plates used MKE’s parking lots than in 2007,” Bateman said. “Our goal is to keep Milwaukee’s airport top of mind among northern Illinois travelers as Chicago’s third airport.”

MKE launches mobile site

MKE knows good things come in small packages. And MKE’s new mobile Web site – mobile.mitchellaiport.com – packs a punch for passengers on the go.

From a mobile device or smart phone, the new site offers the at-a-glance information most important to busy travelers, including arrivals and departures status, real-time parking information, airport directions and an airport guide. The site also includes a listing of airlines serving MKE, complete with Web links and contact phone numbers that can be dialed with a click.

“With today’s busy schedules, more and more people are turning to their phones to get up to the minute information on the airport,” said Airport Director Barry Bateman. “This new enhancement makes it easy for travelers on-the-go to check on their flight, get real-time parking information and much more.”

Get a taste of MKE

The only “fare” increasing at MKE is that in the concessions! Air travelers can now enjoy two new palate-pleasing options.

For a delizioso dining experience, Concourse D debuts Nonna Bartolotta’s. This casual spaghetteria and pizzeria, owned and operated by acclaimed Milwaukee restaurateur Joe Bartolotta, serves paninis, entrees, pastas, pizzas, grab-and-go items and breakfast options.

And, to satisfy caffeine cravings that may strike at any hour, local specialty roaster Alterra Coffee has added three coffee shops throughout the airport: in Concourses C and D, and the main terminal. Now, that’s a latte!

Special Note – Passengers on any airline may enjoy a meal at a different concourse simply by presenting their boarding pass and ID at any security checkpoint.

Recombobulation: Try that for your next Scrabble game

By now it’s quite possible that you have heard or read about MKE’s unique “Recombobulation Area,” where passengers can collect their belongings and themselves following a security screening.

Call it well-timed comedic humor, or luck. These self-deprecating signs have struck a funny bone (and scored smiles) in many an awkward situation.

Besides media attention ranging from the Boston Globe to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the American Dialect Society recently bestowed the honor of “most creative phrase of 2008” on MKE for its contemporary word creation.