5 Fun Yet Useful Ways to Pass Time at the Airport
Passing time at the airport is never fun because we think so. In reality, you can have lots of fun while waiting for your flight. I’m a frequent flyer and I often have to deal with flight layovers, especially now during the winter season. But it’s not the reason to feel stressed or bored. I met one of my best friends at the airport when my (and her) flight was canceled and then delayed for two days. I didn’t even notice that since I had a nice conversation with a friendly and interesting woman. The point is, time flies when you are having fun. So take a look at the list of 5 fun yet useful things to do at the airport and pick the most wonderful ones.
1 Accomplish the most important tasks
Okay, you’ve just learnt that your flight is delayed, don’t panic! Make a list of the things you can accomplish while waiting for your flight. Take advantage of your laptop and the airport’s Wi-Fi service to check your emails, accomplish your project or start a new one. Maybe you should make some important calls or send texts. Accomplishing the most important tasks before you board your plane will help make your trip more enjoyable.
2 Train your brain
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you trained your brain? The brain needs regular training, but we usually don’t have time to play some brain training games. Think about traditional games like crossword puzzles and Sudoku. What about quizzes? Or, why not ask other travelers to play card games? Do anything to focus your brain on something other than your cancelled or delayed flight. You can also start writing a blog, if you have a laptop or tablet, and if the airport has free Wi-Fi access.
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3 Strike up a conversation
If you are a shy person, this may be the most difficult way to pass time at the airport, but it’s so rewarding. As I mentioned above I met a friend at the airport and I’m thankful for that delayed flight. You can also make lots of friends at the airport. Instead of looking at your clock every minute, strike up a conversation with someone who looks bored but friendly. Even if you won’t see them again, it’s still interesting to get to know someone. Chance are, they will tell you some interesting facts about their country and city, their culture and traditions, their family and job, or their travel experiences. Start with the classic weather topic or ask them about their flight. Enjoy a nice conversation and you won’t notice you are waiting for your flight.
4 Learn a new language
When you travel frequently, you should always be ready to kill the time at the airport. One of the best ways to do it is to start learning a new language. Not only will you train your mind and spend your time productively, you will also boost your career. Reading a book is also a useful way to pass the time at the airport, but it’s a little bit boring activity that will quickly make you feel sleepy. Learn a few words and phrases, listen to audio podcast or watch a movie in the foreign language, if possible.
5 People-watch
If you are too shy to strike up a conversation or you just don’t want to talk to anyone, try people-watching. The airport is a good place to see different people from different countries, and to watch what they are wearing, how they speak, and what they do to kill the time before their flights. I love to choose people and create some stories about their lives, where they are traveling to and why. It’s incredibly interesting and fun to observe a family with children. People-watching is one of the easiest ways to distract yourself, fight stress and boost your creativity.
Although flying is a great experience, there’s something most of us hate about it – flight layovers. If you have to spend a lot of time at the airport, instead of sitting for hours doing nothing, try out one of these ideas. It will help brighten your day and boost your mood. Avoid sleeping and drinking too much alcohol. What are your favorite ways to pass time at the airport? Do you have any other ideas?
