Put That Time to Good Use
Any frequent traveler knows that feeling of burning frustration welling up inside, threatening to burst into full-blown anger as you read that innocent little word: delayed. Flight delays are unfortunately fairly common and definitely top the list of worst flight experiences.
Factors such as weather, late incoming aircraft, mechanical faults or a whole raft of other things can push your scheduled flight time back anywhere from a few minutes to many hours (although you will be extremely unlucky if that turns into days).
The key to keeping a grip on your sanity during a flight delay is to use your time wisely. The hours you are stuck in the airport waiting for your delayed flight don’t have to be wasted.
Instead of using this time to stomp around complaining to anyone who will listen, try turning the delay into an opportunity to achieve something productive.
Be creative, active or practical, and give one of the following things to do during a flight delay a go.
1. Write a Letter to Someone
Everyone loves getting mail, and in a world where staying in touch means sending emojis over Facebook, a handwritten letter is uniquely personal.
Reconnect with someone you care about by writing them a letter (you can always send it later).
2. Write to People Digitally
If you don’t have a pen and paper handy, use your delay to catch up on all of your Facebook messages and emails that you have neglected.
Take the chance to reply to everyone you have been ignoring, or reach out to people you haven’t spoken to in a while.
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3. Give a Stranger a Compliment
In keeping with the theme of connecting with people, make someone’s day and give them a genuine compliment and a smile.
Bonus points if it is one of the harried airline staff dealing with angry delayed passengers.
4. Write a List of Goals
Take this time to think about your life, and nominate some goals you would like to achieve.
5. Exercise
Who said you had to just sit and glower for the hours you have been delayed? Get up and move.
You can walk up and down the length of the airport, poking your nose into the different shops, or you can kick it up a notch and do some light exercise. Find a corner and practice doing lunges, stretches, jumping jacks, push-ups or anything else you can get away with without hitting someone in the face.
Getting your blood flowing is especially beneficial if you are about to board a long haul flight, and the activity might help you burn off some of your frustration.
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6. Draw a Picture
You don’t have to have great artistic talent to draw. All you need is a pencil (or pen) and some scrap paper. Try to tackle a portrait of a grumpy traveler.
7. Catch up on Your Journal
Keeping a journal is something most travelers aspire to, but few actually do. Take the time you are waiting at the airport to catch up on documenting your travels, recording your thoughts, impressions and the details of your trip for your future self to look back on one day.
Instead of rushing through recording your experiences, take the time to improve your travel writing and really capture the essence of your travels. Your future self will thank you for it.
8. Shop for Souvenirs
If you left all your shopping until the last minute and then couldn’t find any souvenirs you liked, this is a good chance to take your time browsing through the souvenir shops, picking up a few bits and pieces to take home with you.
No one needs to know that their gifts were bought last-minute at the airport.
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9. Read a Book
If you don’t have a book with you, buy one: there are always book stores in airports. Disconnect from all of the screens and technology around you and go on a paper journey.
Since you can’t be off having adventures at present, escape into a travel novel that will whisk you away on an adventure of another sort.
10. Strike up a Conversation
You won’t be the only one delayed. There will be a whole aircraft of people stuck in exactly the same situation, so why not try to connect with one of them?
You will be alleviating their boredom as well as your own, and you might learn something new, or make a new friend. Fellow travelers are some of the most interesting people you will ever meet, so don’t let the opportunity to chat with them pass you by.
11. Practice a Language
Use an app like Duolingo to learn a few words in another language. Most airports have free WiFi, so it’s not too late to download an app if you don’t already have one.
This is an especially helpful activity if you are on your way to a non-English speaking country.
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12. Meditate
Delays cause stress, and meditation is a great way to mitigate any tension.
Meditation isn’t as esoteric and bizarre as you might think: if you just sit comfortably and focus on your breathing, trying to clear your mind and relax, you are meditating.
13. Eat a Local Food
Challenge yourself to find a dish or local delicacy you haven’t tried yet and put it to the taste test. Even better: invite a stranger to go and dine with you.
14. Test out Perfumes in Duty Free
Being delayed might mean you go unwashed for a little longer than you are comfortable with, but it doesn’t mean you can’t smell good.
Spritz yourself with all of the expensive perfumes that you will never buy and float around in a cloud of pure indulgence.
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15. Start a Card Game
See if you can track down a deck of cards and start playing cards near your gate. Invite your fellow delayed travelers to join in.
16. Buy a Newspaper
Get up to date on all the local news. Then complete the crossword, and any other word games you can find.
Once you have exhausted the newspaper, fold it into origami, or a pirate’s hat, and gift your creation to a small child.
17. Take a Nap
Airports are one of the few public places where it is acceptable to just lie down on the ground and sleep (well, most of the time. Keep an eye out for security).
Try it! Just make sure to set an alarm so you don’t end up missing your flight.
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18. Try and Talk Your Way into a Premium Lounge
Chances are you won’t get in, but you can definitely give it a shot. Just think of all the comfortable seating and free food on the other side of the doors.