It’s that time of year where many of us will be jetting off on holiday with family and friends to a sunny destination. When the countdown is over and the day of the holiday has finally arrived, the excitement kicks in. Stepping foot into the airport is where it all begins and you can start to relax and unwind. If you’re a regular flyer you’ll likely have picked up a pre-flight routine that makes your journey stress-free while also keeping entertained before boarding the plane. If you find yourself stressing at the airport while awaiting your flight, try to relax, unwind and follow our list of things to do at the airport to keep yourself busy.
Locate your gate
If your gate isn’t listed on your boarding pass, the first thing you should do to avoid stress is find out which gate you need to head to by checking the flight information display. Once you know which gate it is, you can either head there and wait in that area or perhaps explore the airport a little.
Do some shopping
Whether you’re picking up some last minute purchases for your holiday or if you just want to see what’s available in duty-free, airport shopping is a good way to relax and pass the time. There’s usually a good variety of shops at the airport and you can pick up some holiday souvenirs for family and friends.
Have some food and drink
If you’re feeling peckish before the flight, grab a bite to eat at one of the airport restaurants or stop by the airport bar for a pre-flight drink. Quickrooms have put together a really interesting infographic that looks at 10 of the best airport bars in Europe from quirky to cool. Some of the UK airports that make the list include Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester so check out the bars if you’re heading to one of these airports.
Stretch your legs
When you’re going to be sat on a plane for a few hours, whether its long haul flight or not, the last thing you want to be doing is spending even more time sitting around in the airport. If you have enough time before you’re due to board, go for a stroll around the terminal and see what else is around. Not only will this help with the boredom but it’s good to give your legs a stretch and get some extra steps in.
Catch up
Life can be hectic from time to time and you can start to fall behind on things, from keeping in touch with friends or finishing that book you started months ago. Take advantage of the spare time you have at the airport to catch up on something you’ve not got around to yet and enjoy some quality “me” time.
