18 Fun-Filled Ways to Make Time Fly at the Airport
Flying can be a long and tedious process, whether waiting for your flight to begin or a delayed flight stretching out your layover. But more and more, airports are becoming destinations that offer things to do—even things that turn waiting into an adventure.
With passenger traffic globally increasing by 8.6% yearly, according to IATA, the need for an engaging airport experience is evident. Next time you’re grounded at the terminal, here are 18 exciting ways to make your time fly.
Capturing Life’s Stories
Airports are a unique opportunity to watch people from different walks of life. “The sky above you runs around large fields and large cities, and it carries men and women, men and women of all ages, colors and sizes. Millions of travelers travel through airports around the world each year,” says Jansen, an avid traveler, and it’s true.
Nearly 2.7 billion travelers pass through airports yearly, but everyone has their own story. If you sit near a busy gate, you can sit down and watch the variety of travelers come and go. Who are they? Where are they headed? Fill in the blanks and make for a thrilling, boring narrative experience.
A Cultural Melting Pot
By their nature, airports are a melting pot of cultures, providing the opportunity to glimpse the world at its microcosm. Global travel reflects each traveler’s culture and language.
So, use this opportunity to learn cultural nuances and about our global village; it will be an educational and fun experience.
Engaging with Fellow Travelers
Starting a conversation with someone you’ve never talked to or who you don’t know can lead to unexpected and enriching moments.
These conversations can be as trivial as swapping travel tips or even new friendships if you get to know people enough. Don’t forget that shared stories are part of what enriches traveling.
Streaming Your Favorites
Fortunately, most airports now offer free Wi-Fi so that you can catch up on past-due episodes of your favorite shows or movies.
A Nielsen report shows that streaming rose by 21% in 2023 and has become increasingly popular as a go-to form of entertainment. Log into Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime for good digital escapism.
Podcast Adventures
Another great way to be entertained and informed is to listen to podcasts. These podcasts cover everything from true crime to technology and everything in between.
Podcasts are also downloadable and offline listening friendly so you can listen uninterrupted, even on the vaguest of terminals.
Learning on the Go
Why not learn a new skill while passing the hours at the airport? Language apps such as Duolingo have increased users by 63% in recent years, providing a valuable way to use this free time.
Language apps are a great, easy way to learn Spanish again for a trip to Barcelona or Mandarin for a business meeting in Shanghai.
Savoring Global Flavors
Today’s airports are essentially smorgasbords of food. You can find fast food, gourmet dining, and everything in between.
Travelers choose airport dining as one of the ways to pass the time. Use this chance to take a local dish (or a culinary delight you wouldn’t usually eat).
The Joy of Craft Coffee
If you’re a coffee lover, most airports now have artisan coffee shops that offer more than the standard cup of joe.
Enjoy a specialty brew while watching the planes take off, or savor a perfectly crafted espresso. Transforming your airport venture into a memorable beat instead of a mundane experience is a moment of indulgence.
Exploring Duty-Free
We think of duty-free shops in airports, which are common and carry almost anything at a discounted price.
Hit the duty-free section for an entertaining, if slightly rewarding, shopping experience. It’s another great chance to pick up some last-minute souvenirs or gifts.
Walking the Terminal
Staying active while traveling can help reduce fatigue and keep your mind sharp. The Mayo Clinic says walking improves mood and gives you greater mental clarity.
Most airports have massive terminal paths that allow fast walks or strolls. This is a great way to see what your airport has to offer.
Engaging in Yoga
Now, even some airports have yoga rooms where people can relax and stretch before a flight. A quick yoga session can relieve tension and get you in the right place physically and mentally for your travels. It’s also a serene refuge escape from the hubbub of the terminal.
Discovering Unique Features
Regarding amenities, airports are famed for their fantastic facilities—gardens and art installations like Singapore’s Changi Airport or even the movie theaters of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
Check out some of your airport’s specific offerings; depending on what you discover, it could be interesting.
Organizing Your Digital Life
Waiting at the airport is an excellent opportunity to declutter your digital space. InfoTrends states that, on average, we have more than 1,000 photos stored on our phones at any given time.
Now is the time to delete unwanted pictures, move your apps where they should be, and delete the emails in your inbox.
Planning Ahead
Plan out your future trips or create an itinerary during your downtime. Many travel apps exist to make this possible. Planning keeps you productive and makes you look forward to the next adventure.
Mindful Relaxation
During this downtime, finally use it to practice mindfulness or meditation. Guided meditations, for example, are great stress reducers and relaxation enhancers, and they’re precisely what you’ll find in apps like Headspace and Calm.
Just a few minutes of mindfulness can change your perspective and help you start your adventures on the right foot.
Fun for Kids
Traveling with children? Airports usually have play areas or family-friendly activities to entertain the little ones.
The Family Travel Association has completed a study on this subject, proving that kids’ engagement during travel is necessary and that a bit of fun goes a long way.
Creative Challenges
Use the time you spend waiting to produce. Inspire your family to an airport scavenger hunt or a storytelling session with everyone sharing a travel tale. These activities engage everyone and make for lasting memories.
Connecting Through Games
Card games and portable board games are a few pieces of fun you can carry with you to make the wait time worthwhile for family bonding moments. They can transform the worst experience of all, airport time, into an enjoyable one for everyone involved.
The next time you have some time to spare in the airport, remember that travel is much more than what happens after boarding the plane. If you want to maximize your time at the airport and create the best travel experience possible, these are a few fun activities you can partake in to kill some time and elevate your overall experience.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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