Flight delays aren’t fun. Everyone can attest to this. Whether you’re on the first leg of your journey to your destination or you are delayed on your way home, hearing those dreaded words that your flight won’t be taking off on time can be really disheartening.
However, airports can be places of fun and exploration, and there are countless ways you can kill time instead of sitting there bored as the world goes by, waiting for the call until it’s finally time to board.
Let’s delve into the plethora of activities you can engage in while waiting for your flight. The seemingly endless wait can be transformed into a time of discovery and enjoyment, with a range of options to keep you entertained.
Check Out Facilities
Now is a perfect time to take a walk around the airport and check out everything that is on offer. You can explore the range of amenities and see if there is anything you can take advantage of. Some airports have a sleeping section available, so you can book a space, get your head down, and get some sleep.
There might be spas you can book into, get a massage, or even use a gym if they have one. Many of these will come with an additional fee or be available as perks to certain cardholders or with memberships. But take a look to see what is available at your airport and book yourself in to use one of the facilities you might not have otherwise gotten to use.
Download Games
Why not turn the wait into a gaming session? Download some engaging games on your device, from the addictive Candy Crush Saga to the more challenging Wordle, Sudoku, and Mahjong. These games can help you pass the time with fun and excitement until your flight is ready for boarding.
Alternatively, you can play your gaming device if you have one on you. Of course, you are not carrying an X-Box, but if you have a portal remote, you can save on the go or a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. For example, turn it on and get playing.
Read a Book
Books have the magical ability to transport you to a different world, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Whether you purchase a book from the airport shop or download one to your device, reading can be a delightful way to lose track of time while waiting for your flight.
The beauty of a good book is that it can take you anywhere else rather than the airport and help you lose time while you wait. Before you know it, it’ll be time to get on with your journey, and you’ve not even noticed the hours-long delay.
Enjoy A Meal
Typically, most people end up being stuck buying convenience or fast food at the airport as they rush through. If this sounds familiar, this delay could be exactly what you need to experience a more delicious, nutritionally balanced meal at a restaurant or even lounge.
With no rush to catch your flight, why not treat yourself to a delicious, leisurely meal at a restaurant or lounge? Take in the ambiance, savor each bite, and let the experience of enjoying a good meal uplift your spirits during the delay.
People Watch
People can be strange creatures and even more so in an airport environment. You can take them out from everything to simply sit and watch the comings and goings of people. This can be more fun if you are with others who you can rope into people-watching, too, so you make a game of it.
Guessing why people are there at the airport, where they’re going, and who they are can provide hours of entertainment and allow you to keep boredom at bay. While it’s not as funny on your own, you can still partake in people-watching and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the airport and get a glimpse into the lives of other people.
Go Shopping
If you have cash to spare and time to kill, then it might be time for a shopping spree. Hitting duty-free can often afford you a unique shopping experience by purchasing goods that aren’t usually available in general retail stores.
Whether you’re looking for a new outfit, pair of sneakers, perfume, chocolates, or alcohol, duty-free can be a gold mine for novelty and useful purchases, especially if you remember or have forgotten your suncream, sunglasses, or even underwear because everyone has done this at some point!
Book Into a Lounge
It could be worth your money to go to one of the airport lounges to see if you can book one. Sometimes, these lounges are reserved for certain passengers or members, i.e., part of a rewards scheme or first-class fliers, but its worth checking out the options available; typically, there will be an app or website you use to book or check for space. But spending time prior to takeoff watching the world go by from the exclusivity of a lounge away from the hustle and bustle of airport coming and going can be a relaxing way to wait for your delayed flight.
Make Friends
Flight delays can be a shared experience that brings people together. If you’re feeling sociable, strike up a conversation with fellow passengers. Whether they’re on the same delayed flight or waiting for a different one, sharing stories and experiences can make the time pass more pleasantly and help you feel less isolated in the bustling airport.
Striking up a conversation with others around you in the airport bar, for example, can be a great boost for you and others as you share stories and converse while you are both stuck in the same place. And if you don’t know how to break the ice, try a smile or a comment about the goings on around you or the delayed flight. These can be a great way to open up the floor for a conversation to start.
Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook.
Pop those headphones in (or buy them if you need to) and download an audiobook or listen to a podcast to let you relax and remove yourself from the business of the airport.
Audiobooks can be hours long, and whether you wait at your gate or you find a quiet spot to chill in, pop your headphones on and immerse yourself in one of the many amazing audiobooks or podcasts available.
Work
For freelancers or those who work trips, a flight delay can be the perfect opportunity to get ahead with work. If you have a few hours to spare, find yourself a spot with good wifi and a plug socket and get to work. This can remove the need to work on the plane or when you arrive at your destination and allows you to get ahead of yourself without wasting time. If you are on your holidays, this might not be a preferable option, but for those who need to work or have work they can do, use this unexpected gap in your schedule to get ahead.
When it comes to flight delays, it’s important to check for regular updates to ensure that you don’t miss your flight in case it boards earlier than expected or you don’t miss announcements sharing the delay will be longer than originally anticipated.
These tips can help you eradicate the boredom often associated with flight delays. There are many things you can do to fill up your time while you have nowhere else to go. From shopping to indulging in some good food to relaxing, making friends, and more, there are multiple ways you can stay busy, have fun, and stop counting the minutes until you take off.
