Don’t think of extra time spent in the airport as a layover or delay.

Instead, embrace it as a golden opportunity to spend a little time on… you. Yes, you!

You don’t need to spend free time at the airport staring at the flight monitors. And while the terminal bar can offer refreshments, there are many ways to spend your time that can leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and recharged. So, we’ve done the research for you and shared some expertly curated ideas, from self-care to art criticism.

Let’s get started…

Enjoy Some Unexpected Self-Care Time

Fast food. Stiff chairs. And bottled water that costs 3X what it does anywhere else.

Taking care of yourself during long layovers has been a tall task for air travelers in the past. (Although Allianz Travel Insurance makes it significantly easier.)

And while there are still challenges depending on your location and your budget, it’s easier to refresh and recharge than it has been before.

Here are some tips for staying on top of your wellness during downtime from the air — and some examples of airports that are doing this best.

Pamper yourself

For years, it was tough enough to find a travel pillow that worked better than rolling your coat into a ball.

Things have come a long way. Take XpresSpa, which you can find in Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Miami International Airport, and other U.S. and international locations. Here you can enjoy a massage, get a pedicure, and even lie down on a heated Chakra bed, where 16 lbs. of gemstones work their magic on your body’s core.¹

Sometimes a relaxing view can clear the mind and release the tension just as easily. If you’re flying through Singapore’s Changi Airport, be sure to stop by the indoor waterfall and butterfly garden. Similarly, South Korea’s Incheon Airport boasts seven themed gardens. And Sydney International Airport’s Qantas First Lounge features a flourishing 30-meter vertical garden with 8,000-plus plants.²

None of these new additions mean you won’t be sitting on the floor of Terminal C for 3 hours waiting for your flight’s crew to arrive. But with showers, napping rooms, and other amenities becoming more widely available, taking care of yourself during a long layover or delay has never been easier.

Get a little help from a friend

It wasn’t long ago that it seemed any animal could be classified as an emotional support animal on a plane. We saw peacocks, snakes, and even kangaroos climb aboard.³

But in 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation closed the door on Noah’s Flying Ark, passing the buck to the airlines to say “yay” or “nay” — and you can guess what they did. Dogs and cats can still come on board under certain conditions, especially if your pet is under 20 lbs. and your airline is OK with it.⁴

Even if your four-legged (or 2- or no-legged) can’t make the trip, some airports are filling the void with what’s akin concourse petting zoos. Take San Francisco International Airport, where LiLou the pig greets and calms visitors from all over the world. Part of San Francisco’s Animal Assisted Therapy program, LiLou even has her own Instagram page so you can keep up with her travels.⁵

But if you’re waiting for the day all airlines allow pigs on board, then you may need to wait until — you know what’s coming — when pigs fly.

Get Pumped About Free Time

There’s a time for rest and relaxation. And there’s a time to get the blood flowing and adrenaline pumping.

Traditionally, the only ones sweating at the airport are running to make a tight connection or nervous to board their first flight. But that’s changing, too. And ROAM Fitness is one of the forward-thinking companies helping you to pack your work-out and take it with you. The airport gym and wellness center are currently located in BWI Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, but it’s coming to new airports soon, including San Francisco international Airport. At ROAM, you can pick up a day pass to hit the treadmill, lift some weights, or step into the sauna. With private showers, and even clothes and sneakers available, you didn’t even need to plan to work out ahead of time.⁶

Other airports with workout options include Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Zurich Airport, which is also known to lay down a couple of tennis courts in its covered, outdoor event space.^{7, 8}

If you’re not a gym person, but you still want to burn some calories and get invigorated, you can again look to Incheon Airport, which includes a 72-hole golf club and synthetic ice-skating room.²

Take an Artful Detour

We see them all the time as we bring up boarding passes on our smartphone and eye the monitors for our flight status: sculptures and paintings dotting the airport concourse. But how often do we stop, soak it all in, and maybe even read a placard or two?

Some airports are working harder to make sure their art collections receive first-class attention. And if you’re a traveler who’s stuck there for a few hours, then you should know that art provides stress relief, a boost to your confidence, and enhances your problem-solving ability (which can be a big help if you’re doing the math to determine if getting a rental car and just driving is the more cost-effective option).⁹

San Diego International Airport has been showing its artistic flare for years. As part of its Airport Art Programme, new contemporary exhibitions and even performing arts are constantly rotating through the facility. And then there’s Denver International Airport, which stakes a claim to the most impressive collection among domestic airports. This, of course, is headlined by the unforgettable 9,000-lb. “Blue Mustang” horse sculpture that greets travelers with piercing red eyes.¹⁰ (We won’t dig into the tragic story of its creator here.)

Many airports provide some local flavor in their collections. At Athens International Airport, you pretty much know what you’re going to get: antiquities. And the airport doesn’t disappoint, showing off 172 artifacts in a museum that’s open daily to the public.¹¹

And because art comes in so many forms, we shouldn’t just focus on static canvases and sculptures. Vancouver International Airport and Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia are among the handful of airports with massive aquariums inviting passersby to stop and stare.^{2, 12}

The next time you book a connecting flight that gives you 3 hours of downtime, or your flight is delayed because of weather, seize the opportunity. Taking control and being proactive about your travel life is the same reason so many travelers purchase travel insurance. So, take time for yourself and have your best day ever — even if it’s where you never expected it to happen.

Related Articles

• Flight Cancellation Insurance: Your Questions Answered
• 10 Tips to Help Make Your Flight More Comfortable
• 5 Scenarios When You Need Trip Interruption Insurance