How to Have Fun During Airport Layovers

This doesn't have to be you...

Almost everyone who flies will experience an airport layover or delay or two throughout their lives. You don't have to sit there staring at your terminal, however. You can actually have some fun.

Instructions

1. Observe the various restaurants, bookshops and other souvenir shops that are in your terminal and on the way to your gate.

2. Determine how much time you have before you need to be at your gate.

3. Browse through the selections of souvenirs that are unique to the airport's area. Pay special attention to any regional fare that the airport may sell, such as unique cakes or candy. Purchase any shot glasses, t-shirts, candy or mugs for friends and family.

4. Spend some time in the airport's bookstore. Find a corner and pick up a few books that have caught your attention. Purchase any books that truly engage you to read on your plane.

5. Find a cozy seat at one of the airport's bars and talk to any of your nearby patrons. This usually works best if you sit at the bar.

6. Do some people watching by scanning the list of departures and where they're headed. Then sit in the terminals of some of the more exotic departures to get a sense of the people from that area. This works best if you're in an international airport, but even if you're not you can still get a good sense of the various American cultures by sitting in the departures area of faraway cities.

7. Talk up any people at your gate or in your seating row once you need to report to your gate to board your flight.

Tips & Warnings

• All airports are different, so be sure to scope out your airport's amenities to establish what your options are.

• Be sure to spend some time checking out any duty-free shopping options that your city/country may offer, such as alcohol, makeup or cigars.

• Keeping track of your boarding time is essential; make sure that no matter what activities you take up you're at your gate on time!