Making Airports More Enjoyable

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When someone mentions the word “airport” one might get a little flutter in their stomach anticipating long lines and crowded terminals. I on the other hand love airports and have put together several tips in order to make them more enjoyable.

The key to a stress free start of your vacation is to arrive early. Arriving early allows you to do all the non-fun things first and without hassle. By planning to be at the airport two hours before departure you will sail through the check-in counter and get those pesky bags checked and out of your way. Another option is to check your bags at the curb. These counters are quick and efficient and they are conveniently placed outside the door of each airline’s entrance.

Now that you are luggage free it’s time to wander and enjoy. So the question is where to go first? Why not start by checking out the nearby coffee shops or bookstores. Grabbing a cup of brew is a great way to jump start your day and look over your travel documents. I find that this is a great time to pull out my travel books and find some last minute sights I might want to see on my vacation.

Next it’s time to go through the security checkpoint. Remember to pack light as you’ll be carting your carry-on around with you all day, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Also remember to adhere to the latest Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Safety Rules regarding what is and what is not acceptable to bring on board. A current list can be found at www.tsa.gov. I’ve found from personal experience that international flights are quite picky about following the correct container size for shampoos, gels, toothpaste and sunscreen.

It is advisable to dress in comfortable layers and to also wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off. Be sure to remove loose change from your pockets and do not wear a belt or jewelry that can set off the metal detector. It is also standard procedure to take off your jacket before passing through inspection. It is important to be organized when packing your carry-on because it is required that all liquids be in a plastic zip lock bag and that you hand that bag separately to the officer. You will also be asked to take out your laptop computer from your carry-on and place it on a tray on the conveyer belt. I have seen many travelers hold up the line as they fumble with these strict procedures so remember it’s always better to come prepared.

Some airports are more luxurious than others making it possible to arrange for special spa treatments while waiting for your flight. Bath rooms, sleeping rooms, baby changing rooms and meeting rooms are all available at Seoul’s International Airport (ICN) which was voted the world’s best airport in 2009. However, other airports offer barbershops, smoking rooms, chapels and shoe shine services as special added features. Most airports have complimentary Wi-Fi so feel free to whip out those laptops for business or pleasure.

A huge pastime in busy airports is to do some duty free shopping. I once sat on a flight with a woman from Seoul to Atlanta and the whole time she had a duty free shopping bag between her legs. Talk about uncomfortable! I hope she got some great deals. From fragrances and cosmetics to liquor and tobacco, duty free shopping is fun for anyone who is looking to save a few dollars.

After all that shopping why not sit down at one of the many restaurants found inside the terminal? By wandering into one of the attached airport hotels you will usually find a number of upscale restaurant options. My favorite choice, however, is the standard observation area where you can watch the planes taking off on the runway and a basic snack bar is usually nearby. Restaurant service is usually pretty quick, but if restaurant style isn’t your thing then I’m sure you’ll find something that appeals to your palate at the food court. For those of you who are always on the go be sure to try the food vending machines. These machines are found around the airport and with a quick press of a button a hot (or cold) meal is prepared for you in a matter of minutes.

Now we’re approaching the boarding time so it’s time to think of any last minute details you need to address. It would be wise to exchange some money since airport exchange rates happen to be fair and you don’t have to suspect a scam. Any forgotten toiletries can be found along the way to your gate and last minute airplane snacks should be picked up at this time. Bottled water can now be bought since you have officially made it through the airport security check.

Since you’ve arrived at the boarding gate a few minutes early this would be an opportune time to make any last minute phone calls, pull out that extra jacket for the freezing cold plane ride, and get all your travel documents out and ready. Now you have a few minutes to spare to people watch and before you know it, it’s time to board.

The last two hours of your life have been enjoyable and guess what? You spent them at the airport! Who knew that airports could be so fun. Now that you’ve gotten the most out of your airport experience you’ll be ready to settle into that page-turner that you brought with you or just take a nice long nap on your flight.

Written by: Robyn
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