If travelling is like reading a book, spending time at airports feels like flipping channels on a giant screen — you get to see fellow travellers from all corners of the world in one place. But let’s be honest, not all travel experiences are the same, and in the humdrum of our busy lives and delayed international flights, airport waits often last longer than we’d prefer.
However, it would be a shame to let a lengthy layover dampen the excitement of travelling to a new place using your British Airways reward seats. Luckily, we’ve developed a list of recommendations and suggestions so you’ll never dread layovers again.
What is a Layover?
A layover is when you have to change planes part-way through your journey. They usually happen when you’re travelling over a longer distance. There’s a waiting period as the other plane prepares to take you on the next leg of your journey.
Layovers are all about perspective. The first step you need to take in order to master the art of a long layover is to change the way you view layovers. Rather than consider them a nuisance, consider them an opportunity to enrich your travel experience. If you do this, each layover will become a chance to experience something new that will add to your journey.
Let's look at how you can turn that frown upside down whenever you face a layover.
Never a Bad Idea to Squeeze in a Power Nap
Have you ever noticed that things seem so much better after a nap? It’s true; our body’s battery goes into power-saving mode when we’ve been up and about for too long. Our patience and usual sunny outlook are affected, and things that would usually not bother us start getting to us. In such situations, it’s always to find a quiet spot or book an airport lounge where you can curl up for a quick nap.
Trust us, it’ll work wonders. If you have more than six hours to kill, renting a hotel room somewhere close to the airport is even better. Lying down on a proper bed, followed by a refreshing shower, will completely flip your perspective, and you’ll be the envy of fellow travellers.
Shut Out the Noise by Reading a Book
Layovers are the best time to catch up on your reading. There’s nothing quite like getting into a world of adventure, intrigue, romance, or whatever genre you’re into as you follow the adventures of your book’s protagonist while waiting for your flight.
Time will fly by; before you know it, you’ll have to return to the real world and jet off on your own adventure. Just make sure to keep an eye on the BA flight tracker on your smartphone so you don’t end up missing your connecting flight.
Swap Stories with Fellow Travellers
Simply face the person sitting next to you and strike up a conversation. You never know; they might offer great tips or advice to you and might even inform you about things that you didn’t know before. You won’t feel the minutes fly by as you share a love of sightseeing with a stranger and learn new things in the process.
Immerse Yourself in a World of Fantasy
If you’re into playing games, solving puzzles, or competing against fellow gamers, you can use the time spent waiting for the flight as your gaming period.
Be sure to be near a power source to juice up your tablet or phone without losing a step in your work. Watch out for any announcements for your flight on the BA flight tracker because that’s one adventure you don’t want to miss.
Read Up on Where You’re Travelling To
You’ve invested much time, effort and money in planning your trip. It would be a shame not to have a suitable answer when someone asks about a famous sight you missed. What better way to spend the extra time you’ve been granted via the layover than to research your destination? Check out all the fun spots, mark the local spots and note down the must-visit areas.
Not only will it pay off in terms of how much you’ll save by avoiding over-priced tourist-targeting rides, but you will also come back with amazing stories to make your friends and colleagues jealous. While researching, you can also spend some time figuring out how to spend Avios points at the destination to improve your trip.
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Get a Head Start on Work
We’ve all been there when the excitement of going off on a trip makes us short-sighted and we start putting off a lot of work for after the trip. Do your future self a favour and get some of that work that’s been piling up done during your layover.
Find a quiet spot with a comfy seat, reliable Wi-Fi, and a power outlet nearby and get productive. The excitement of your trip will make even the work seem like fun, and the relief at how much less you have to do once you come back will make it all worth it.
See a New City
If your layover lasts longer than 4-5 hours and it’s during the day, you can make the most of it by exploring the city you’re in. You can escape the airport buzz while experiencing the vibe of a brand-new place. Many airports have fast public transport options to get you to the city centre in almost no time.
Just keep track of your flight time and whether you need a visa or other travel documents to enter the country. Because once you step outside the airport, you will be entering a different country, so make sure you’re clear about the security measures. Another good idea is to know whether your airline or ticket type has rules or restrictions.
Grab a Meal from a Famous Food Chain
If you don’t have enough hours to go out, it’s too late at night, or there are other restrictions, having a meal instead is never a bad idea. Airports are the best place to sample some of the country’s most popular cuisines.
Plus, the world generally seems a better place on a full stomach. Not only will you have gotten a taster of the local dishes, but you will also feel more energetic and recharged.
Buy Gifts and Souvenirs for the Family
Instead of getting fleeced by buying over-priced items from shops that know how to target tourists, make the most of your layover by picking gifts from the Duty-Free section.
Whether it’s the latest cologne your aunt likes, chocolates themed around your niece’s favourite cartoon character, or apparel from the brand your dad loves, you’ll buy more stuff for less, which can be a win-win situation for you and your loved ones.
Nothing Like a Good Workout to Get You Fresh and Ready to Go
Most of us spend much time cramped in tiny cubicles or hunched over our laptops in uncomfortable chairs. There’s no reason to make our poor muscles and bones more miserable while we wait at the airport. If you’re a fitness buff looking for a quick workout, why not check if the airport has an on-site yoga studio or fitness centre?
Even if it’s been a while since you thought of going to the gym, perhaps the layover can be the start of the newer, fitter you. Rather than sitting in one place, you can get your blood circulation going. You get extra points for packing resistance bands and carry-on-friendly workout equipment for discreet strength training.
Binge-watch Your Favourite TV Shows and Movies
If you don’t feel like being too active and miss your spot on the couch back home, simply recreate the magic of home and binge-watch your favourite TV shows and movies while you wait. Many airports offer free Wi-Fi services throughout their terminals. Listening to your favourite podcast and an audiobook, reading a blog, watching a show, or getting some work done, just connect, sit back are both covered here: and watch those minutes fly by.
