Rodenback

Is it just me or is there a big lack in things you are offered to do while waiting on a connecting flight?

Have made a few trips from Canada to Thailand or different places in the States. Every time I wind up walking around trying to find stuff to do. Yes I can go to the bar and get hammered in the 5 hour wait time but I hate feeling like crap in an airplane.

I can go shopping but how many watches does one person need? I bought enough books to read for the next two lives. What else is there to do?

The best activity I found was in the Narita airport: automatic massage chairs I popped yens in the chair but after the first massage I had enough. After sitting more then 15 hours in a plane I feel like moving not sitting again no matter how nice the massage is.

There is also a limit on the amount of web browsing my eyes and brain can take. And yes web browsing means I'm sitting again.

Any of you saw cool stuff to do waiting on connecting flights in your travels?

I wish there was a place where I could shower too. I know frequent flyers often have access to private lounges where showers can be available. Unfortunately I'm not one of them.

Cheers!

coachrowsey

What do I do ?
Watch all the beautiful women

travelmad478

Uh, read them?

N965VJ

Post on FT!

tucsnaz

Workout - Some airports have them (LAS), airline lounges may have a place to workout or on airport hotels may allow you to pay a daily fee. At least it gives you a chance to move.

Some airports have museums - not my favorite, but it gives you something to do.

Explore the airport - some can be quite interesting.

glob99

At NRT you can get a shower. At LAX you could go to IN 'n Out. You could learn Thai.

MarqFlyer

You mention a 5-hour layover. In many places, that would give you enough time to get out of the airport for a while. I have an upcoming trip with a layover at NRT, and after some research plan to take the train to explore the town of Narita for a while.

peachfront

I read the books and leave any I finish for the next traveler.

I set the alarm on my watch or cell phone and take a nap if I get sleepy.

Some airports are good for walking and you can even find out how far it is to speed walk around the terminal. I think it's 1.2 miles around DTW. Walk briskly for 45 minutes to an hour, and there's your exercise. Don't get in people's way, though, some people actually have to be somewhere.

TMOliver

Decades ago, long before airport security and the opening of DFW, there was a Dallas-based "Escort Service" which would pick you up out side the terminal at Love Field, deliver you to a motel on aptly named and nearby "Lovers Lane" for the then pricey services of a professional entertainer. I had a client who traveled from NYC to Texas a couple of times a year carefully arranging his connecting flights to my hometown to allow for a "Rest Stop" in BigD. I'm sure in retrospect that all charges were borne by his employer.

Certainly, there must have been other airports offering such "mod cons". One would suspect that even the well known treatments with ice cubes or strings of pearls might have been available "on call" in such notorious cities as Bangkok....

sipes23

I generally try to avoid layovers, but I suppose I'd try to get out of the airport and explore on a longer layover. Instead I'll tell you what I do to spend the time before flights (which could be done as a long layover).

For instance at DCA and ORD the train goes right to the airport. I've explored Georgetown on foot (while stashing my carryon at a hotel--but I could've kept it with me if neccesary) while waiting for the hour to become right to head to DCA. I suppose the Mall would've been good too. Maybe 20 mins on the DC Metro. Same with ORD, and I would check out the Jefferson Park area (a large Polish neighborhood) were I not already living here.

I can't wait for the light rail at SEA to get into service. I've never had reason to go to MSP, but the Mall of America is on the light rail there. Not much to shop for, but the people watching is phenomenal. LHR could be fun. AMS looks like it could be good for a long layover too.

I don't quite trust busses enough to pull that trick at airports that don't have rail service.

Otherwise, I hang tight and play the airport game. I sit and see if I can figure out who is headed out from home or going home as passengers board other flights.

Kiwi Flyer

I have more connecting flights than most. Some of the things I spend my transfer time doing

relaxing in airline lounge
drinking
eating (depending on what is/isn't on offer during the flights, choice of sleeping, etc)
meeting friends (or FTer strangers)
drinking
reading
walking laps of the terminal
checking out artwork/exhibits/etc on display in the terminal
wander around the neighbourhood (not practical or safe at some airports)
taking a shower (makes me feel better and smell better)
drinking
catching up on email/phone messages
checking out FT
working
head into city/surrounds for longer transits
sleeping
people watching
thinking time
etc

I very rarely manage to get bored - there is always something to do.

thebat

So this is where we got the term "layover?"

fabulousflygirl

Depending on how long my connection is, I usually just relax in the lounges or go sit down and have a couple cocktails and a bite to eat at a restaurant. You can always purchase a day pass for a lot of lounges if you do not already have access to them.

Sanosuke

If I have status and I'm waiting for a connecting flight, I go to the lounge and "pig out" at their food bar or stock up on drinks while in there!

Failing that, theres always my trusty Priority Pass card.

Sanosuke!

airportdrunk

I guess if you don't like using the computer or reading and don't have access to vip lounges, there's not much else to help you.

Personally I like loading up my laptop with movies and tv shows, as well as doing a bit of work on the layover. Then again, getting plastered at airports is a hobby of mine as well.