‘We regret to inform you that your flight has been delayed by three hours’….
We’ve all been there. We’ve all slumped back in our chair and engaged in a choral groan of disappointment with the other passengers. We’ve all paced up and down the departure lounge, telling ourselves it’s in the name of exercise when really, we just feel incredibly impatient.
Well, here’s the thing; instead of wasting time waiting for the next flight, train or bus, why not reframe things and maximise the potential of those extra hours you’ve been gifted. Always looking on the bright side, us; here are 5 tips for making the most of your time waiting for a flight.
REPLY, REPLY, REPLY
Have you ever thought you should check in with a friend but were too busy to send that message or make that call? Has your Whatsapp new message icon hit quadruple figures? Is your Gmail full to bursting with career opportunities?
Now is the time to get productive and reply to those messages. Because, let’s face it, once your holiday has begun, you’re not going anywhere near those notifications until it’s over.
INDULGE IN A LITTLE SELF CARE
Sure, you could close your eyes and get some rest during the downtime, but how about you engage in some proactive self care, instead? Put on your headphones and get reflective to some relaxing music or enjoy a pre-downloaded guided meditation…lovely stuff.
Practice positive thinking, do a body scan, indulge in some deep breathing exercises…hey, this time is yours, so use it how you please! If you feel like it, you can even give yourself a hand or neck massage. Or, a super relaxing, self-massage of the face, whilst less discreet, is the perfect way to put the disappointment of the delayed flight behind you.
Re-learn to take time, pause your brain and allow yourself to do nothing.
RELISH IN THE DOWNTIME & PLAY SOME GAMES
Another form of self indulgence, in the best possible way, and a great distraction from the boredom of waiting is to take the opportunity to play some games on your phone or laptop during the downtime. Should you be keen to use the time wisely, then there are a whole host of fantastic brain training apps out there that might even make you smarter; or at least, feel smarter.
Or, should you prefer to unleash the King’s Gambit or lean more heavily on the Sicilian Defence Dragon’s Variation, then you could move your chessboard online for the next few hours, playing opponents from across the globe (or friends, if you can persuade them to sign up to the same app and dedicate the next few hours to a game). We’ve found our preferred app in a pretty crowded field is Chess With Friends, as the chat feature offers easy interaction with your competitor, if that’s your thing.
For something a little less taxing on the mind, Angry Birds 2 is nearly as compelling as its now-defunct predecessor, and Candy Crush Friends Saga is a particularly fine version of this ubiquitous phone game.
While it’s not technically a game, consider downloading a flight tracker app like Flightradar24. The app lets you play the part of an air traffic controller, showing you the exact flights that are passing overhead. You can even play pilot via the Cockpit View feature! The app also shows you arrival and departure times, flight status, and any delay information – handy since you’re waiting at the airport for your flight. Or maybe you don’t need reminding?
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
You don’t want to finish those holiday books that you so painstakingly selected before the trip has even begun, so why not instead take to the internet to brush up on some knowledge and perhaps learn a new skill?
To learn new things, you could sign up for a Massive Open Online Course (a MOOC) and work on it while waiting for something more exciting to happen. You can also watch Youtube videos on topics that interest you, listen to podcasts, or check out some TEDx talks.
Alternatively, you could brush up on some phrases in a new language, perhaps of the country that you’re heading to? The apps Duolingo and Rosetta Stone have revolutionised the way we learn languages and both offer free versions which, although limited in scope and reach, provide an opportunity to get some beginner words under your belt.
DELVE INTO THE HISTORY OF YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
All too often a place of great historical intrigue or significance is seen simply in 3D, without the necessary stories which truly enrich the experience. But with context and background, a deeper and more appreciative cultural understanding can be achieved.
A great way to spend these few hours waiting in the departure lounge is to research the past and present of your current or next destination so everything has substance and meaning. You could carry a book with you, and pass it on to other curious travellers when you’re done, or download informative pieces on a kindle. Or simply use the airport wifi to get informed. Whichever way you want to do it, it’s up to you.