The only thing worse than that crackling PA announcement informing that your flight is indefinitely delayed? Realizing that you have no idea what you’re going to do with yourself for the next however many hours. Banish boredom and say sayonara to endless games of solitaire – if you’re in one of these airports, you have access to a bevy of unique attractions, making that extra-long layover suddenly seem a lot more palatable.
Dubai International Airport (Dubai)
Avid shoppers can put their credit cards and cold hard cash to work in Dubai’s busy airport thanks to a humongous 58,000-square-foot duty-free store. While other passengers are waiting impatiently at the gate, you can happily browse the staggering stock of premium liquor, gourmet chocolates, luxury jewelry, cutting-edge technology, highly coveted beauty items, travel essentials, and locally sourced goods. Shopping not your bag? There’s also a fully equipped gym, a nap facility with full-sized beds for rent, and a 5-star hotel in case that layover lasts all night.
Changi International Airport (Singapore)
Changi’s four terminals each play host to attractions that are designed to calm, excite, amuse, and inspire. There’s a Cactus Garden with more than 100 species of cacti, a kinetic art installation containing 1,216 copper raindrops, an interactive art area, an “entertainment deck” with Xbox 360 and Kinect stations, an Enchanted Garden that moves and changes as you watch, a butterfly garden, and ergonomically soundproof napping areas. In other words, the fun and games at Changi might be worth deliberately missing your flight.
Nashville International Airport (Nashville, Tennessee)
Nashville is known as Music City and its airport pays homage to that legacy with an expansive live music schedule that encompasses some 700 performances per year spread out over six terminal-based stages. Though Nashville is most famous for its country and bluegrass acts, the airport showcases all genres. There are also rotating art exhibits throughout BNA that give fresh talents an opportunity to share their creations and weary travelers a much-needed dose of culture between flights.
Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)
In addition to the plethora of specialty eateries and retail shops that dot Hong Kong International Airport’s terminals, HKIA offers world-class putting at SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course, 4D films at the 350-seat IMAX theater, private resting areas and internet workstations in the always-open Plaza Premium Lounge, and an interactive Aviation Discovery Centre where you experience simulated flights from a virtual pilot’s seat.
Zurich Airport (Zurich, Switzerland)
While most airports work hard to keep passengers entertained indoors, Zurich thinks outside the terminal. Venture beyond the airport’s walls and there are more than 12-miles of lush, forested paths to explore. Stow your luggage (there’s an area designated just for that) and head to the service counter where you can rent Nordic walking poles or more traditional inline skates and bikes – helmets included. For those who would rather use their flight delay for practical purposes, Zurich Airport also has an eye clinic, dental and medical offices, and even a veterinarian on the premises.
Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, California)
Flying can be stressful. Soothe your soul at Los Angeles International Airport by visiting with the trained therapy dogs that make up LAX’s PUP (Pets Unstressing Passengers) program. The furry friends meander through the terminal leaving plenty of smiles and drool in their wake.
