Can you top this baggage tale?

Flyer Shannon Tadel was informed by United: 'Your luggage has been set on fire,' click the link to read the story in it's entirety. Have you had similar or worse happen to your luggage?

AirTran Airways = Orlando Smiles!

Congratulations to Gerry S of Carlisle, PA on his winning of the Orlando Makes Me Smile Flyaway Giveaway sweepstakes. Gerry and his three guests will be enjoying free roundtrip tickets and a vacation package courtesy of AirTran Airways, the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau and HIA.

Thank you to those of you that entered to win the trip for four to Orlando, but didn't win. Please keep an eye on your e-mail inbox or your mailbox over the next several days as we're putting something together for you too!

AirTran Airways has a seat to Orlando waiting for you! The convenience of Harrisburg International Airport and the smiles of Orlando are connected with affordable, daily nonstop service on AirTran Airways! Book a flight today at http://www.airtran.com/! go. there's nothing stopping you.

Got an Orlando travel story?

Have you been a princess for a day? Have you adventured with underwater creatures? Or, had your stomach feel like it was doing flips as you anticipated the next big drop on that roller coaster?

Tell us about it! You can also enter to win the opportunity to experience those happy memories again, and take three guests with you! Enter to win a trip to Orlando at www.flyhia.com/Orlando!

Win a Trip to ORLANDO from HIA!

Visit www.flyHIA.com/Orlando and enter now for your chance to win a trip for four to Orlando and say YES to your very own family vacation. From spine-tingling thrills in world famous theme parks to a magical encounter with a fairy tale princess, you'll find countless unforgettable adventures for you and your family to enjoy in Orlando.

If you're the lucky winner, you and three guests will fly roundtrip to Orlando courtesy of AirTran Airways, stay four nights and visit your favorite Orlando theme parks! A lifetime of memories is waiting for you and your family in Orlando. Start planning your very own family vacation at VisitOrlando.com.

GRAND PRIZE:

-Roundtrip airfare for four to Orlando courtesy of AirTran Airways
-Hotel Stay for four nights
-Car Rental for five days
-Two days to visit your choice of Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando or Universal Orlando
-Free Parking at HIA

AirTran Airways has a seat to Orlando waiting for you! The convenience of Harrisburg International Airport and the smiles of Orlando are connected with affordable, daily nonstop service on AirTran Airways! Book a flight today at http://www.airtran.com/! go. there's nothing stopping you.

Contest brought to you by Harrisburg International Airport, AirTran Airways and Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Fun-Filled Announcement on the Horizon!

Stay-tuned for Monday's blog post for more information on what's happening at HIA....until then it's a surprise!

PSU Fans Pack the Terminal

Regional travel agencies booked seven chartered flights for eager Penn State fans heading to the Rose Bowl from HIA. On December 29 and 30, shuttles, tour buses and vehicles funneled into the airport dropping off approximately 1150 excited Penn State alumni and fans. Six of the seven chartered flights departed between 6:30 am and 9:00 am on Monday, the 29th. Lions supporters began lining up at the ticket counters for check-in beginning at 4:30 am, the occasional "We are Penn State" chant could be heard from the bleary-eyed passengers.

In spite of all of the additional passenger traffic from the chartered flights the security checkpoint lines and ticket counter check-in moved efficiently. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to those charter and regularly scheduled commercial service passengers who waited with a pleasant attitude and a smile in the early morning hours!

Once the charter passengers made their way through the check-in and checkpoint lines, they headed to their gates and waited to board their planes. The flights were charted with AirTran Airways, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and North American Airlines.

Here's to a successful Rose Bowl game for Penn State!

GO STATE!

For more pictures from the Rose Bowl charters, visit the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) Facebook Group.

How can you help HIA?

...by joining the HIA Travel Network!

The Harrisburg Patriot News' Midstate Traveler column featured the HIA Travel Network in the Sunday edition. Read more>>

Are you plugged into this group? Do you want more information on how you can get involved in HIA's air service development efforts?

Then look no further! Click here>>

US Airways Making Strides?

US Airways has been making huge strides in improving their operations, but are still plagued with numerous complaints. They're still experiencing high volumes of complaints regarding customer service and reservations, ticketing and boarding.

Read more:
USA Today
Charlotte Observer

Have your recent travel experiences with US Airways reflected the improvements they're making, or not? What are your thoughts on flying Harrisburg to Philly via US Airways?

Share your experiences here:

Quick Advertising Viewing & Reponse Habits Poll! Feedback Needed!

HIA is investigating ways to cost-effectively reach our target audiences this upcoming year. Therefore, we're curious about your advertisement viewing & response habits:

1) Do you pay attention to advertisements in the print publications that you read?

Y or N

2) How likely are you to take action based on the content in those print advertisements?

N/A, Not Likely, Somewhat Likely, Very Likely

3) Do you click-thru on online adverts to learn more if the content is relevant to you?

Y or N

4) How often would you estimate that you pay attention to online advertisements?

(open ended answer)

5) What would cause you to notice an online advertisement?

a) a brand that I normally buy

b) flash animation

c) brightly colored

d) "incentivized" call-to-action

e) other (please specify)

6) Are you more likely to pay attention to print or online advertising? Why?

(open ended answer)

7) Would you book a flight based on the content of an online advertisement?

Y or N

8) Would you book a flight based on the content of a print advertisement?

Y or N

Thank you for your participation! Your feedback is tremendously helpful!

Results will be posted on Monday 12/8/08.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy a few travel tips on us!

1) Know the security rules before you pack. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a 3-1-1 campaign to educate travelers on the carry-on baggage restrictions. For specific details, visit www.tsa.gov before you pack your bags.

2) Call your airline’s toll-free flight tracking phone number for an update on your flight before coming to the airport. Flight status information is also available on each airline’s website.

3) Arrive at an HIA parking lot about 90-minutes before your schedule departure.

4) Follow the signs and park in the Long Term/Economy lot ($5 per day, plus tax). Shuttle uses run every 8-10 minutes from the numbered shelters in the lot and bring you directly to the terminal building.

5) When picking up or dropping off a passenger, park on the second or third floor of the garage. The garage rate is just $1, plus tax for the first hour (additional rate information available here). Federal security mandates prohibit parking along the terminal curbside. Only the active loading and unloading of a vehicle is permitted in front of the terminal building.

More info online at HIA travel tips or HIA FAQ!

Holiday travelers should experience few delays...read more.

We wish you & yours a lovely holiday! Should you have any tips you wish to share for the benefit of others, feel free to comment!