Photo by: mindgutter

Written by Maak 

In a series of articles, I am looking at different aspects of airport boredom, and more importantly, ways to survive that long layover, or cancelled or delayed flight.

In my previous article 7 airports to get stuck in I highlighted seven airports that were worth being stuck in. Airports where you can take a round of gold, a dip in the pool, walk around museums, see art, go the cinema or even take flying lessons – in a simulator. Unfortunately, we are not always lucky enough to be stuck in an airport with plenty of things to do, but to kill the wait.

In this article I will highlight seven activities you can occupy yourself at almost any airport around the world.

1. Work or browse

Photo by: silverturtle

More and more people I see around airports nowadays have laptops with them, and not only business people. My husband would never dream of going anywhere without his notebook, and to be honest it has served us well, enabling us to kill time seeing a film, or, if luck would have it and you can find an internet connection, browsing, catching up or just answering mail.

Luckily, more and more airports are offering free internet connections. You can check out whether your airport offers free internet at http://www.wififreespot.com/airport.html

2. Educate yourself


Photo by: coba

Although flights aren’t usually delayed long enough to master a new language, an unexpected airport delay could be just the time to get started on that language you always wanted to learn. Most, if not all, airports have bookstores, which are usually packed with language courses, either in the form of book or, even better, mp3 language courses.

So why settle down with your headphones on and start practicing – don’t repeat the sentences too loudly, or you may not be popular with fellow travellers.

3. Exercise


Photo by: aiisuki

If you are about to embark on a longer trip, or just got off a plane, and are waiting for your connection, exercise is great preparation. Take a brisk walk along the concourse or a few “touch your toes”.

Even better, a number of airports actually have gyms that give you the chance to shred a few kilograms and kill time. In addition, it’s a great alternative to raiding the magazine store or snoozing.

At www.airportgyms.com you can find a list of airport with gyms. If your gym clothes are checked in with the luggage, or at home in the drawer, most airport gyms can even rent you sanitized clothes and shoes as well. With prices as low as 10USD per day, there’s no excuse not to work out during a lengthy layover. 

Still predominantly in the US, this is bound to catch on in Europe and Asia as well.

4. Wine and Dine


Photo by: Julie, Dave & Family

Airports aren’t just junk food and high prices. More and more restaurant chains are realizing that there is a captive audience at airports and many have the time to enjoy a good meal.

Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food at London Heathrow’s new terminal 5 is a great example of this. Enjoy a meal inspired by the renowned TV celebrity chef. Brioche French toast with treacle-cured bacon and fried oysters for breakfast; braised pork cheeks with honey and cloves for later, and even special picnics to go.

Celebrity chef, author, TV personality and more, Todd English’s South American inspired restaurant, Bonfire, at Boston’s Logan Airport is another great example. Grilled chicharrones (crispy pork in chimichurri sauce) and skirt steak topped with chipotle aioli and avocado crema are standouts.

5. Shop


Photo by: NewbieRunner

There are plenty of shops at most airports – and not just convenience stores, duty-free and book and magazine stores. A lay-over is a good time to window shop (and get some exercise at the same time). My husband always takes in the CD and electronic shops, whilst I browse the perfumes and clothes – where else are you encouraged to try any number of different perfumes. Most airports guarantee that prices aren’t more expensive than the equivalent prices in the city – so now that you have the time, you may just find that blouse or gadget you never knew you wanted.

6. Read


Photo by: prettywar-stl

A no-brainer, but now’s the time to buy the latest Grisham book, lifestyle magazine or travel book and get in some quality reading – if you aren’t doing one of the other things in this list, what else is there left to do?

7. Sleep


Photo by: guan_wang 

Travelling is tiring, waiting even more so. So now’s your chance to catch up on some of the sleep you’ve missed, not least if you’re connecting from an overnight flight or have been up early to catch the first flight out of the airport. Find a comfortable chair, somewhere quiet and take a nap. Be sure to set the alarm on your mobile phone and sleep close to the departure gate – if you don’t wake up and you are the only guy sitting in the departure area, the flight attendants may put two and two together and check whether you are the guy they are waiting for. 

If you are really stuck at an airport  www.sleepinginairports.net is a great site with plenty of information about sleeping at airports.