Browse all

Kiratiana Freelon

Country of Residence

United States

Which Category are you primarily interested in

Services

Why would you like to qualityhunt for this category?

When I'm flying around the world, the services that I find or don't find on a plane and in an airport can make me happy... or quite disappointed. While I expect a couple of decent restaurants and shops in every airport, it's the special services that really set the incredible airports apart from the regular ones- the beauty shops, the spas, the unique shops. For example, It's difficult for me to accept the fact that I can't get a manicure at any airport in Chicago. Since I love to travel, I always make a pit stop at the travel and tourism booth in any airport. It's essential that it be located in a place that I can find it! And then there are those services that can make an airport REALLY stand out - like not just a shower for washing up, but an actual full service sauna (like the one in Incheon Airport)! Service is also important to me on the airline of my choice. I recently achieved Ruby Status on One World and I value the extra services that I receive as a result: Priority boarding, free checked baggage, upgrades and tons of kindness from all staff. All of this is important to someone who travels more than 30,000 miles a year. My next goal is to achieve emerald status.

Tell us your best flying or airport related experience.

Even though I have been traveling for the last 15 years, I just learned recently what makes a “perfect” airport. The Incheon airport near Seoul, South Korea is everything I could wish for in an airport. And at the beginning of a one month trip in east Asia last month, it was the perfect place to “sleep” in. Since I arrived at nearly 10pm the night before my bus trip to Daegu, South Korea, I decided not to get a hotel for the night. The airport had everything that I needed to survive in life: flat screen tvs, free wifi, a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), and my favorite--a Korean spa and sauna. Unfortunately, I arrived at the Korean spa too late to snag a spot on the floor of the sleeping room, so I had to wait til the morning to freshen up. This led me to make a little pallet on a very clean bench in the airport. A family of four was asleep on the floor behind me so I felt extremely safe. There must have been hundreds of people doing the same thing! I awoke at 6am to clacking heels of dozens of airport flight attendants - just in time for an early morning Korean spa experience (hot tub dip and shower included). After two hours at the spa, I left the airport by 9am, feeling like a washed baby, and quite happy. I left knowing that Incheon airport was one of the top airports in the world. Every airport should aim for this type of overnight comfort, even if they don't expect their fliers to sleep on benches. Check out the blog post here: http://kiratianatravels.com/?p=856.

What is that little something that you would be able to bring to us as Quality Hunter that the other applicants cannot offer?

I’m a social media junkie and addict who loves to tweet, facebook, instagram, tripadvisor (is that a verb?), blog and occasionally youtube. With more than 3,000 followers on twitter, a blog, a youtube channel, and a facebook page, (and even an email list!), I have the unique ability to connect with alot of people. I’m also a strategist at heart. If there is a social media goal that needs to be accomplished, then I want to develop a way to get it done.