How to Make the Most of Flight Delays? These 7 Tips Turn Waiting into Enjoyment

▲Airport (Photo / Darzi / Illustration)

By Rita

Many people opt for flights with more layovers in order to get cheaper tickets, but in reality, once you're at the airport, you realize that waiting during layovers can be really tough. You've already browsed the duty-free shops, yet still have several hours to kill, and have no idea how to get through the long wait. HuffPost has compiled 8 ways to turn your wait into an enjoyable experience, for travelers’ reference:

1. Do some leg stretches
If you’ve just gotten off a long-haul flight, take the opportunity during your layover to stretch your leg muscles. There are several ways to do this — besides walking between terminals, you can also ask the passenger service desk if there’s a gym or yoga center available for use. Use this time to get your blood circulation back to normal.

2. Take a short nap
Even though many people manage to sleep on the plane, they often still feel very tired. Travelers can use the layover time to look for sleep pod (sleeping capsule) facilities at the airport to catch a bit of rest. Some airports offer hourly rental sleep spaces.

3. Catch up on emails
Many airports now offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use the time to reply to emails. Make good use of this time, and you’ll find you have fewer things to deal with when you get back home.

4. Enjoy a nice meal
Many airports offer a wide variety of meals, and some of the food is actually quite good. Use this time to enjoy a cappuccino, latte, or a cup of tea to refresh your mood.

5. Use the airport gym
As in point 1. In fact, many airports now have gyms, and some even offer massages and other treatments. You can check online in advance.

6. Enjoy the airport’s unique facilities
Many airports have one-of-a-kind amenities that can turn a layover into another part of your journey. For example, Singapore’s Changi Airport has a butterfly garden, sunflower garden, and travelers can even catch a movie there. Seoul’s Incheon Airport even has a golf driving range.

7. Join an airport lounge membership
This is a great option — airport lounge clubs are usually quieter.

8. Read a book
Most airports have bookstores where you can buy a book. Reading helps the time fly by.