What do you do to kill some time at the airport?

I like to collect some things to do without lounge-access. Where you'll get the best food, internet-access..... What's the best place to see some people and their funny habits?

Let's start in Germany:

TXL:- in summertime spending some time at the Restaurant "Take - off" terrace with a cold "hefeweizen"-beer, watching the planes..... (main hall, 3rd level, beer with great view for just 4�)
- wintertime: sorry, one of the most boring airports worldwide

FRA: visit the "beate uhse" adult-store , take a look at their products and their customers (terminal 1 A+B, 2nd level)

In the vein of the FRA thing only more so, AMS supposedly has servicing available, though I only have heard of it through Jay Leno jokes.

More commonly, though, I tend to bring along PC and other magazines with subscriptions I've bought with miles (or $3-4 a year on the subscription sites) and never get around to reading otherwise. PC ones are useful because you can rip pages with anything useful and toss/recycle or leave the rest.

Anything financial that relates to trip cost is ideal for airport time. I always do a cost sheet for personal trips (total air, hotel, car, other "base" expenses, then personal discretionaries), and it's perfect for airport wait times on the return.

As for specific locations, MSP is really excellent for getting on the train to the Mall of America and back (do-able in the 4-hour layover window). In BOS I always try to get a meal at Legal's Seafood. CO's island hopper through Micronesia used to be good for walking around before they got really bad about security, post-9/11 (though I'd think Pohnpei would be near the bottom of any terrorist target list).

A number of other airports are playable for longer layovers (4-12 hours, say) if they have train access or are close enough to other things so that the bus service is a chip shot.

Hello. I'm new here, so bare with me.

Usually, to waste layover time, I take a walk around the ternimal simply to see what's new. Take a look at the flights and where they're going-it always amazes me how so many people can go to so many places, all starting from an airport. If it's a long layover, I'll grab a bite (or more) to eat. Mattering on where I am, that'll determine what I do during the layover.

Thanks.

Bon Voyage!

Since I rarely get lounge access, I spend my layover time roving the airport looking for the cheapest (no, scratch that, the best value for money) beer I can find. That's my spot till it's time to head for the gate.

If the bar has a view of the tarmac or even the runways, that's a major plus.

However, since you're asking for specific examples, there are two that come to mind, both of them in Singapore:

Changi Airport has both a pool and a rooftop garden which make for a novel way to kill some time. They've also got good city tours, but you need a layover of 6 hours plus for that, I think.

That's it!

Once, I've done it "downtown-style", just bought a six-pack of beer from the duty-free, enjoying it at the gate! nothing special in munich.

Berlin_Style, I'm supposing you live in/near Berlin, so I was wondering if you possibly have ever visited AMS? I love Amsterdam, but haven't gone to their airport for quite some time. I'm about to send a family there and am wondering if you can give me any hints on the condition of the airport, so if there's anything they need to know they'll know. Thanks very much :-: Mr. Style. :-:

Have a good day.

Canada Flyer

[QUOTE=Canada Flyer]Berlin_Style, I'm supposing you live in/near Berlin, so I was wondering if you possibly have ever visited AMS? I love Amsterdam, but haven't gone to their airport for quite some time. I'm about to send a family there and am wondering if you can give me any hints on the condition of the airport, so if there's anything they need to know they'll know. Thanks very much :-: Mr. Style. :-:

sent answer via pm....

AMS: don't miss to visit the Rijksmuseum just in the terminal, culture and arts during a travel-break. GREAT!
http://www.schiphol.com/

Thank-you very much for the reply! It was very helpful.

CANADAflyer

Bravo Air used to offer helicopter tours of Southern Calif. at LAX. Their website looks like they now fly tours out of San Pedro.

http://bravoair.com/

Curious as to whats so good about "Lounge Access" ?

I have heard you can buy access if you talk to them about it. Anyone heard anything about that and how to buy access?

Overall, is it worth it?

as for me, I have a upcoming 4 hour Layover in Dallas and a 3 hour layover in Osaka, Japan on the way there and the same amount approximately on the way back.

I don't get to layover at SEA much since its my home airport, but if I did I could kill hours sitting at the large windows in the newly refurbished pacific marketplace area. There's a great view of the ramp and runways with plenty of action.

Nowadays I always get to the airport at least an hour earlier than normal just to sit there for a bit and watch planes take off, land, park, and all the ramp action (I have yet to see a Menizes mistake though).

- VxG

Welcome to FlyerTalk

Many airports have pay-per-use lounges, prominently signposted as such. Charges tend to be a little steep, but just might be worth it if you're in desperate need of a shower, a quiet place for a nap, some chow and an Internet connection (to cite some common facilities).

LAX: A classic... a run to In n Out!!!

And before anyone asks and then someone else responds with a "SEARCH," just take, what was it, the Parking Spot Shuttle to Sepulveda and walk the rest of the way? On the way back, you'll probably have to "tip" the driver.

Also, if you go to TBIT and sit in the Daily Grill, you can leech free wifi from some of the clubs (I used CX's).

SNA: Go gawk at the statue of John Wayne, in between Terminals A and B. Then step out onto MacArthur Blvd... there are a few restaurants out there, including Gullivers (steakhouse) and El Torito (Mexican + "Cantina").

SAN: Take a walk along that road in front of the airport, heading towards Downtown. Great view of sea vessels, especially the US Navy carriers FYI - for taking off/landing, most of the time seats on the left side (ABC) are the best view of the harbor, coast, and Downtown SD. Bonus: see if you can spot the submarine base.

Varies from lounge to lounge, no consistency. You can get a pass to AA Admirals Club for $50, good in any number of airports for 24 hours and credited to your membership fee if you decide to join within 30 days. Add one or two guests for $25 each. Some credit cards give you lounge access: Diner's, AA Platinum/Centurion. (That's "real Platinum," not Platinum-colored Optimas co-branded with Delta, Hilton, etc., etc.)

Very personal decision. If you travel a lot and don't have access any other way, I'd say yes, but that's just me.

One thing to do at DFW is check out the store next to C2. Lots of AA logowear and some other items useful in travel. The sign says "employee store," but it's open to the public.

Meal with friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, etc.
Movie theater or other show.
Book store.
Shopping (other than at bookstores).
FT.

.... not necessarily in order.