This holiday season, keeping in touch with the loved ones, seeing and talking to them seems to be as important as sharing gifts and cards. But a lot people are out of home these days, so they may be missing out on something essential. Skype is addressing this problem by offering travelers in airports across the U.S. a great opportunity to connect with their family and friends for free. The Internet phone service, which was acquired by Microsoft in May, is now offering a free hour of Internet access to third-party wireless hotspots within the Skype WiFi hotspot area in 50 airports in the U.S., so that travelers could see and hear their loved ones between flights.

Photo: The map with airports which participate in the new Skype promotion, www.blogs.skype.com

From December 21 through December 27, travelers at select airports across the country (see the full list of participating airports on the interactive map here) can use free Wi-Fi from Skype to connect with people on their friend list. The Skype to Skype calls are free, but a PC to landline or mobile phone calls costs a little (this sum can be paid using Skype Credit or a Skype Subscription). To start a conversation, one has to get the latest version of Skype for Windows or Skype for Mac on laptop or install the Skype WiFi app on his or her iOS device, and then sign in the program or app as usual. To spread the world about the promotion, Skype is asking its users to share their impressions on how Skype WiFi has made “travels a little more enjoyable” using hashtag #freeskypewifi.

“The holidays are all about connecting with those you love. Skype is excited to help you maintain these meaningful connections wherever you may be this holiday season. A voice or video call via Skype when you can’t be together for the holidays is the next best thing to being there,” says Skype in the note.