The first steps toward improving Falcon Field Airport’s terminal building are underway with design of renovations to the terminal building.

Travelers accustomed to chain eateries like Chili’s and Paradise Bakery now have a chance to experience local offerings such as Cowboy Ciao, La Grande Orange and Barrio Cafe at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and D.L. Withers Construction agreed on a contract Monday to build two more gates and an additional outdoor courtyard at the airport’s Charles L. Williams Passenger Terminal at a cost of $4.8 million.

Let’s say it’s a Tuesday and you need to be in Idaho next Thursday. Allegiant Air’s website states that only three tickets remain and the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport terminal sells tickets ONLY on Sunday and Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Every workday for the past two years, Nora Hermon has ridden Metro light rail to the 44th Street and Washington station and boarded a shuttle bus to get to and from her job at a Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport gift shop.

The PHX Sky Train opens to the public Monday. Take a look at 10 fast facts about the newest transportation system in the Valley:

As of Monday, April 8, those traveling between Metro light rail and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can catch a free, air-conditioned ride aboard PHX Sky Train.

The importance of air travel to her community – and the state – is not lost on Lori Quan.

Airport’s ‘Sky Train’ to open April 8

LOS ANGELES — Flyers reacted with shrugs but largely agreed with a new policy announced by the Transportation Security Administration that airline passengers will be able to carry small knives and previously forbidden sports equipment on planes.

CHICAGO — A merged American Airlines and US Airways will carry more passengers around the world than any other, but even the biggest airline flying doesn't need eight hub airports on the ground.

At this exact moment, there’s a farmer somewhere in the world growing coffee beans in order to meet the demands of people hooked on the aromatic, often energy-enducing substance. It is up to those like Valley entrepreneur Jason Silberschlag to head out to exotic locales and find these farmers in order to obtain nothing short of the perfect coffee bean.

Mesa’s Falcon Field is undergoing more than $3 million in ramp and lighting upgrades to increase safety and functionality.

Imagine the cool orchid lei around your neck, the ukuleles strumming the "Hukilau Song," and your hair frizzing up all carefree in the ocean breeze. You could be getting off the plane in Honolulu soon.

Travel for humans during holidays is tough enough: Long lines, crowds everywhere, extra bags full of presents. Throw a pet in the mix, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hit king best known from the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” days and banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on baseball including the Reds when he managed them, was scheduled to sign autographs for $70 a pop for a sports memorabilia shop at the Paradise Valley mall on Saturday.

Frontier Airlines will land its first flight at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Thursday.

About 100 flight attendants with US Airways will form an informational picket line at Sky Harbor International Airport's Terminal 4 Wednesday. The move comes as thousands of employees hold a strike vote.

It won't happen in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but flying out of the Valley will get a littler easier.

LOS ANGELES — Traveling with a pet isn't easy, since there are more rules than destinations. Kelly E. Carter, president of thejetsetpets.com and AOL's resident pet travel expert, and Sheron Long, frequent international traveler and author of "Dog Trots Globe — To Paris and Provence," share their tips:

Thousands of flights to and from the Northeast region are canceled because of Hurricane Sandy. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was also affected Monday.