Tips to Pass Time at the Airport

If you do a lot of travelling for work you will know all too well that one of the major downsides is the endless hours spent in airports. While your travel agent will always endeavour to ensure that long layovers are avoided, sometimes delays do occur. Whether it’s because you arrive early and have to wait to board your flight, because the flight has been delayed or simply because you have several hours between connecting flights, this can feel like wasted time. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Whether you fill the hours relaxing or being highly productive there are plenty to do that will make time fly.

1. ‘Book’ to Basics – Having something to read is essential. Whether you are a bookworm, magazine reader or one of those who reads the newspaper cover to cover, reading is a great way to pass the time and adds to your knowledge base. Whether it’s a biography, page-turning thriller or the latest industry related release, ALWAYS make sure you pack a book, or download some reading matter on your phone or tablet.
2. Get Connected – Connecting to the internet opens up a world of ways to make time pass quickly. Whether it’s catching up on correspondence, scrolling through your Facebook feed or just browsing the web, being online is a great way to distract you from the time you spend waiting around. Most international airports do offer free Wi-Fi, but if you are travelling locally it is a good idea to invest in a mobile internet dongle, or utilise your phone’s mobile connectivity, so that no matter where you are, you can connect.
3. Work Away – Waiting for your flight is the perfect opportunity to get ahead with your work. If you are on your way to somewhere, what better way to get ready and prepped for your trip. And if you are on the way home, you can compile all the information you have gathered while away so that when you get back to work you can hit the ground running.
4. Catch-up on Sleep – Business travel can really take its toll, particularly if you are crossing time zones. A few hours at the airport provides the perfect opportunity for a power nap. Just make sure you don’t sleep through your boarding call.
5. Lounge Around –Being able to relax in the lounge, away from the hubbub of the rest of the airport, allows you to have a little quiet time for peaceful reflection before your flight. Check with your travel consultant about access to business lounges. Many banks also offer this as a value added service.
6. Shop ‘Til You Drop – Whether you are on a domestic or international flight, browsing through the shops is a great way to kill some time. Who knows, you might even find the perfect present for someone special in your life.
7. See the Sights – For extremely long stretches of time at the airport it is highly recommended that you get out and see the sights. Many airports, or airlines, offer day trips into the city centres in which they operate, so ask your travel agent about this.
8. People Watch – Airports bring together people of all walks of life. It is fascinating to see how many diverse individuals there are. The constant comings and goings can be truly mesmerising. You’d be surprised how much time you can pass just watching people.
9. Food for Thought – Why not grab a bite to eat? All too often, the plane food is not great, so instead of filling yourself on it, opt for a delicious meal at the airport.
10. Stretch Your Mind – Soduko, crosswords, online Scrabble. These are all ways to pass the time, and exercise your mind.

However you choose to pass the time while waiting at the airport, remember to keep an eye on the departure board. Or hop over to TravelManor’s Blog and catch up on some corporate travel reading!