AirTran Airways resumes nonstop service to nation’s capitol

AirTran Airways just made it easier to tour the White House, snap pictures of cherry blossoms and stand at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial by adding low-fare, nonstop flights from Mitchell Airport to Washington D.C. Twice-daily service to Reagan National Airport will begin June 11, 2009. With the additional service to Washington D.C., AirTran Airways will offer a total of 33 daily departures from Milwaukee to 19 nonstop destinations.

“AirTran Airways is happy to resume nonstop service to Washington D.C.,” said Kevin Healy, senior vice president of marketing and planning, AirTran Airways. “It seems to us that folks in Washington D.C. could use a little ‘stimulation’ so we’ve expanded our schedule, making it even easier and more affordable for business, as well as leisure travelers, to lend Washington a helping hand.”
 

Keep the money in your pocket, fly MKE

With today’s economic challenges, we are all looking for a deal, especially on travel. Mitchell Airport continues to offer lower airfares, on average, than the majority of the nation’s airports, including O’Hare. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation analysis of airfares through third quarter 2008 (the most recent available), not only are MKE’s average fares $45 less than O’Hare’s, they’re $25 less than the average airfare throughout the United States.

“MKE’s lower fares are just the beginning,” said Airport Director Barry Bateman. “Mitchell Airport offers an efficient and pleasant travel experience, lower-cost parking and is a breeze to get to. No wonder the number of Illinois travelers using Mitchell increased by 15 percent last year. We truly are Chicago’s third airport.”
 

Magnifico! Local Italian trattoria opens on Concourse D

Air travelers with an appetite can now enjoy sit-down dining or grab-and-go service at Nonna Bartolotta's, now open in Concourse D. Part of the Milwaukee-based Bartolotta family’s group of restaurants, Nonna Bartolotta’s serves fresh, Italian-style cuisine with a unique Milwaukee flair, in a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere.

Nonna Bartolotta’s menu includes paninis, meat, poultry and seafood entrees, pastas, pizzas and breakfast options.

Not traveling through Concourse D? Notta lotta worry about. Passengers on any flight in any concourse can enjoy Nonna Bartolotta’s simply by presenting their ID and boarding pass at the Concourse D security checkpoint.
 

Jonesin’ for a cup of Joe? Try Alterra’s new airport cafes

Long known for its strong coffee and creative spaces, Milwaukee-based Alterra Coffee has opened three new cafes at Mitchell Airport, in concourses C and D, and in the main terminal.

“We’re expanding the food and beverage offerings for MKE travelers,” said Airport Director Barry Bateman. “We are now beginning to reach our overall goal to bring local flavors into Mitchell Airport.”

Offering travelers fair trade, organic coffee and fresh menu ingredients, such as locally produced eggs and cheeses, Alterra will have air travelers longing for a layover at MKE. The local chain also aims to minimize its carbon footprint by using recycled building materials and practicing energy efficiency.

Alterra was voted one of the country’s “Ten Hottest Coffeehouses” by Forbes. Plus, the company employs one of the most talented baristas in the business – Scott Lucey, winner of the 2009 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition – who recently out-foamed baristas from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota for the prestigious title.