There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a cancelled or delayed flight, especially when it throws your travel plans into disarray. Being stranded at the airport for a few hours or an entire day will always be stressful, and often, you have a lot of time on your hands with no real way to use it.
Yet, an airport mishap doesn’t have to ruin your mood, even if it ruins your plans.
With some creativity and resourcefulness, you can turn this unexpected downtime into a productive and enjoyable experience.
1. Catch Up on Sleep or Relax
If we have to be completely honest, work is busy and life is even busier, so chances are you rarely get time to yourself to relax guilt-free. It’s a good idea to use this time to rest. The situation is out of your hands, you’re required to wait, so why not make the most of it?
- Find a quiet spot: Many airports provide rest zones with reclining chairs and some even offer sleeping pods for the stranded traveller. Get yourself acquainted with these areas and sleep guilt-free. Don’t forget to set an alarm in case you oversleep!
- Try to relax: Try something new like mobile gaming, watching tutorials, or trying your hand at online gambling. For example, the top-paying online casinos have mobile-optimized sites and apps that offer several different games like slots, Plinko, and poker. You can win some real money or even place wagers with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin while you wait for your next flight.
2. Explore the Airport Like a Tourist
When most people go to an airport, they usually aim to get through the gate as quickly as possible and head to their destination without much ado. Yet airports are filled with more than just gates and terminals.
- Shopping at duty-free stores: When you’re stressed, there’s nothing like buying yourself something completely senseless to lift your spirits. Browsing through airport shops might help you find some rare gems.
- Fine dining: Instead of feeling worse by indulging in fast food, try one of the many sit-down restaurants available in the airport. You might be surprised to find the numerous international cuisine options available at an airport.
3. Catch Up on Work or Personal Projects
For those who just can’t resist the appeal of work, a flight cancellation is the perfect opportunity to catch up on work projects you never seem to have time for.
- Work on your to-do list: If you have pending tasks, this is a great time to tackle them. Most airports offer free Wi-Fi or paid services, allowing you to respond to emails, work on reports, or attend virtual meetings.
- Personal projects: If you’re working on a passion project, this could be the perfect moment to make progress and let creativity flow while you wait.
4. Take a Mini Adventure in the City
If you have a longer waiting time and find yourself in a city that you’ve never been to before, why not seize the opportunity to explore instead of wasting away on an airport bench?
- Find nearby landmarks: Visit local attractions like museums, parks, or historic sites. Even a few hours outside the airport can make a big difference in how you feel about your travel delay.
5. Make New Friends or Network with Fellow Travelers
If you’re a social butterfly, why not take the opportunity to make some new friends? You just might forge valuable work or personal relationships.
- Start a conversation: To lighten the mood, share fun stories with your neighbours or engage with their kids, which can help break the ice with the adults. However, be mindful not to be too pushy though, it may not end well.
- Networking: You never know who might be stuck in the air with you. Networking in an unexpected setting can lead to surprising opportunities with fellow travellers who might be in your very line of work.
