Friday, April 24, 2015
10 Surprisingly Cool Airport Attractions October 18, 2012 by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel Staff
10 Surprisingly Cool Airport Attractions
(Photo: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)
Airports can be boring. At many, the most exciting thing to do is wait in line for a coffee. But a few airports buck the trend and offer fascinating, fun, or relaxing options. So why not careen down a four-story indoor slide or take a brewery tour? Admire some of the world's most famous art or hit the golf course? Whether you are waiting out a long layover or have simply arrived at the airport with time to spare, these picks beat a large latte to-go any day.
Four-Story Indoor Slide, Changi International Airport, Singapore
(Photo: Changi Airport Group)
You hear stories about people who get stuck in airports for weeks or months, and if it ever happens to us, we're hoping it's at Changi Airport in Singapore. Among its offerings is a four-story indoor slide suitable for kids and adults. There's also a butterfly garden, a rooftop pool (and rooftop bar), more than 300 shops, and free movie theaters.
Brewery, Munich International Airport, Germany
(Photo: Munich Airport)
At airports, brewpubs are a dime a dozen. But Munich International Airport takes that extra step and actually makes beer on premises. The Airbrau brewery crafts its beers in compliance with the Purity Decree of 1516 and makes beers ranging from Jetstream, a new pilsner, to Aviator, a double bock. If sipping is not enough, you can take a brewery tour. Now that's not a bad way to spend a layover.
Golf Course, Hong Kong International Airport, China
(Photo: Hong Kong International Airport)
Golf at the airport? Yes, at Hong Kong International. SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course, located near Terminal 2, gives passengers a perfect excuse to get outside between flights. The nine-hole course even has a signature hole: Island Green, situated on an island in the middle of an artificial lake. Nine Eagles has its own golf instructors, equipment rentals, and a pro shop. And nighttime floodlighting allows passengers to swing and putt after dark.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Zurich International Airport, Switzerland
(Photo: Zurich Airport)
Next time you're passing through Zurich Airport, you're invited to take a peek behind the curtain. Airport tours offer a memorable way to see what it takes to move more than 2 million passengers a month. Hop a bus on a sightseeing tour to see the runways, hangars, cargo areas, and even a nature conservation area between runways. You'll also get a close-up of airplanes landing and taking off. Additional guided tours take visitors through the check-in process and on a tour of the aircraft parking areas.
Concerts, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
(Photo: Courtesy of JetBlue)
Since its debut in 2009, JetBlue's free Live From T5 concert series has welcomed acts including Taylor Swift, Sarah McLachlan, and The Wanted. Performances take place post-security at JetBlue's terminal at JFK Airport and are exclusively for JetBlue passengers and contest winners. A concert before takeoff? There's a good reason to hope for a flight delay.
Museum, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands
(Photo: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)
Schiphol brings the best of Amsterdam to the airport with its outpost of the Rijksmuseum. The museum is the first in the world to have an annex at an airport, and the airport is the first to have a major museum in its terminal. The museum is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and admission is free. In addition to the permanent collection of Dutch masters, temporary exhibits rotate regularly.
Yoga Room, San Francisco International Airport, California
(Photo: SFO)
Airports are stressful, but San Francisco International has just the fix: a yoga room. As far as we know, it's the world's first airport yoga studio, and since its January 2012 debut, it has proven to be very popular with passengers. Located post-security in Terminal 2, the relaxing room is quiet and dark, with wooden floors and mirrors along one wall. Yoga mats are available, and there's space for five or six people to get their asanas on.
Cultural Experience Zone, Incheon International Airport, South Korea
(Photo: zionorbi via flickr/CC Attribution)
Travel is a cultural experience, so why shouldn't the airport be as well? At Incheon International Airport in Seoul, passengers get an introduction to local customs at theTraditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone. Visitors can learn how to make crafts such as fans and "lucky bags." There are also performances, including masque dances and twelve-string Korean harp recitals. Admission is free.
Aquarium, Vancouver International Airport, Canada
(Photo: Larry Goldstein)
Missed the aquarium on your visit to Vancouver? Never fear, because Vancouver International Airport is home to two massive satellite Vancouver Aquarium exhibits: a 30,000-gallon aquarium housing more than 5,000 creatures and a separate aquarium devoted entirely to jellyfish. Check out the larger tank, located on level three in the International Terminal, to spot wolf eels, sea stars, rockfish, and giant kelp.
Nap Rooms, Heathrow Airport, England
(Photo: Yotel)
Airports are not nap-friendly places. Unless you're excellent at sleeping upright, you're usually out of luck. But at London Heathrow, a nap means never having to settle for a stiff neck. Located before the security checkpoint in Terminal 4, Yotel offers "cabins" complete with en suite bathrooms and comfy beds from £25 (about $40) for four hours of blissful sleep. Post-security in Terminal 3, you'll find twin and single en suite napping rooms with showers. Suddenly, an LHR layover doesn't seem so bad.
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Your Ultimate Stuck-at-the-Airport Toolkit February 6, 2015 3:20 pm by Christine Sarkis
Your Ultimate Stuck-at-the-Airport Toolkit
You're stuck. Maybe it's a long layover, maybe it's a flight cancellation, or a blizzard.
However it happened, you're stranded—for a few hours or longer—along with thousands of other people. Resources are limited, and you've got to act fast. Here's what to do.
Plan Your Escape
Contact the Airline: For the best chance of success, you'll want to multi-task. Stand in line at the airport while simultaneously calling your airline's customer service line (program the number into your phone before leaving on your trip). And if you're having trouble speaking to someone in person or over the phone, try the social media route. Many airlines use Twitter to address customer service issues.
Get a Room: If you and thousands of other people suddenly find yourself stranded, you'll need to book a room quickly unless you want to wait out an overnight delay in an airport chair. There are a number of last-minute booking apps, but when we travel, most of us use Hotel Tonight. Its discounted last-minute rates are great, and its app is user friendly.
Find a Day Trip: If you're stuck at an airport during the day, but can fly out before an overnight hotel stay becomes necessary, consider a day trip. A number of airports offer a list of day-trip itineraries for people with long layovers, trips that are easy to get to from the airport via public transportation. For instance, one of Japan's most popular temples is a short train ride from Tokyo Narita Airport. And from Frankfurt Airport, beer tasting in Bavaria is a quick trip. Many airports have bag checks (though some still haven't reinstituted them since 9/11), which allows you to stash your suitcase and travel light on a day out.
Make the Most of Being Stuck
Hunker Down: Airports are notoriously uncomfortable places to grab some shut eye, but when you've been awake for 20 or more hours, even a vinyl chair can look like bed. I've had success using the Guide to Sleeping at Airports to help me find the least uncomfortable options when I need to overnight at an airport.
Know Your Airport Amenities: As airlines cut down on basic amenities, many airports are increasing theirs, offering stranded passengers nearly pleasant ways to pass the time. Airports offer everything from yoga rooms to exercise bikes, and from napping pods to showers and spas.
Find a Fun Activity: Giant slides, butterfly gardens, movie theaters, behind-the-scenes tours—airports around the world offer unexpected, and totally fun, ways to pass the time. Download your airport's app or check its website to see if it has any quirky offerings.
(Photo: Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images)
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