Your first stop should be at the departure and arrival airport sign boards to determine the true length of your airport layover. Flights change regularly, so it is important to check this board often for updates. If your layover is at least a couple of hours long, you should familiarize your self with the airport, location of your terminal, food and restroom sources and types of tourist shops. Many flights do not provide food service without a charge, or unless you are in the First Class section. As such, you may want to get something to eat when you first arrive to allow your food the layover time to begin digestion. This will help with any nauseousness you may experience upon take off.
Next, if you have not brought a book or magazine with you in your carry on luggage, you may want to buy something to read. Keep in mind how much you are already carrying with you when you select your purchase. Newspapers as well as magazines can be disposed of once you have read them, thereby lessening your load to carry on the plane. Note that you will probably be paying full price for any books or magazines purchased. If you are a frugal shopper, you may want purchase reading material from a place like Costco or other wholesale or retail source where prices are lower. Select a location to sit down, whether it is at a restaurant within the airport or at your departing terminal so that you are able to read. Make sure you are comfortable and not too crowded so that you can enjoy the space around you. Sometimes having an extra open seat next to you will allow you to keep a better eye on your belongings as well as make it easier for you to search for items you have brought to occupy yourself on your layover.
In addition to reading, you may also want to use the time during your airport layover to write a letter, begin a story, keep a travel journal, or write bills you may not have had a chance to take care of prior to your departure. Also, if you are traveling with young children, they often like to draw or doodle, or play games such as "Hangman" or "Tic Tac Toe," so paper comes in handy during their restless moments as well.
If you have a cell phone with you, a variety of options are available to you as you pass the time between flights. Depending on your calling plan, you may text message, search for songs, play games or even gain access to the Internet on your cell phone. You may also call friends or loved ones and have an uninterrupted conversation as you wait for your flight. Further, if you have brought a laptop computer with you, you may accomplish work, play games, watch a movie or check your email and instant message if you are in an area of an airport that you are able to pick up a hot spot to be able to connect to the Internet. If you are unable to establish a connection, your laptop can double as a table surface and you can play cards, either solitaire or a game requiring two or more people, depending on if you are traveling alone or with other people.If you have brought an Ipod with you, this is a good opportunity to relax and listen to music. Also, taking a walk with your iPod is good exercise in the airport, especially if your layover is of any measurable time. Not only will this improve your circulation and provide you with a means of exercise, but, it will help decrease the risk for swollen ankles and circulation problems while in flight as well.
You may also use any wall out of the path of foot and internal airport carrier traffic to do stretching exercises. These will help to prevent stiffness from your flight and help to provide some energy if you are feeling sluggish. If however, you are tired, you may want to use some of your airport time to take a nap. If you are traveling with one or more people, make sure that they keep an eye on your personal belongings. If you are alone and have any items that run the risk of being stolen you may not want to exercise this option of taking a nap.
