Tips to Passing Time at the Airport

Long connection? Delayed flight? Arrived early for your flight? Here are some tips that will help you pass--and dare I say enjoy--your time at the airport:

Get the Lay of the Land Either before your trip or when you land, get a sense of the airport: what's there, what's not, what appeals to you, what doesn't. I can't tell you the amount of times I've settled on a place to eat, drink or lounge only to find out later there's a much better place 5 mins down the concourse.  Taking a few seconds to plan ahead could mean the different between an enjoyable vs unenjoyable airport layover.

There's an App for That If you're at an airport in the US, there's an iPhone app that can tell you everything you need to know about the airport. Download GateGuru to guide your way.

Sleep Many major domestic and international hubs have airport hotels attached. Replenishing lost sleep is a commodity when traveling, so don't rule out this option.  Most airport hotels have day,  hourly or overnight rates.

Lounge Around Many airline lounges offer day-passes for those not indulging in business or first class. If you've ever immersed yourself in the serenity and service offerings of an airline lounge, you know that paying a little extra for lounge access is worth it--in food and drink alone--not including everything else.

Take a Tour Earlier this year I had a layover at the İstanbul Atatürk Airport, excited at the prospect of being in Istanbul for a few hours, I found out about Turkish Airlines free tours of the city. Turns out I didn't have enough time to indulge, but the opportunity is there, regardless of whether it's organized/available via THY or self-directed. Check out your airport or airlines touring options before you go!

Relax Most major airports have mobile spas offering nail service, massage and hair dressing. Some airports (like Singapore's Changi) even offer the opportunity to don your bathing suit and sit poolside avec un bev. If you're feeling particularly energy-filled, many airport hotels even offer a workout/shower service.

People watch People watching at airports is like a global lesson in trends.  It's so underrated.  I love playing the "where is that person from" game and spotting 'styles du moment.'  This 'game' is even more fun with a specialty coffee or cocktail in-hand.

[photo by ocean yamaha]

The Airfare Dance

We've all danced with airline fares; two steps forward, one step back, not knowing when to purchase the flight we're eyeing. Don't fret my pet: with the explosion of DIY travel, we have access to hundreds of websites which can predict the best time to buy, help us find the best rate and even alert us of discounts after we purchase our fare. Here are some online tools and rules next time you purchase an airline ticket on the internet: 15-Day Rule According to Giorgos Zacharia, Ph.D., KAYAK's Chief Scientist, he observed that semi-advanced booking is advisable, but to avoid being a keener. Analyzing the data generated from KAYAK's millions of daily searches, his team found: - the date-range KAYAK users have been finding the best prices is between 4-weeks and 1-week in advance - the most reasonable price 15-days before departure with prices rising in the last two weeks - the same-day booking price was closer to the 15-day than 365-day mark - the most expensive fare was recorded 365 days before departure

Mid-Week Sale Wait to buy your airline fare until Tuesday or Wednesday. The majority of airlines launch fare sales on these days.

Be Flexible I know that flexibility is hard-to-come-by with the small windows of vacation time employers in North America afford (I think we could learn something--actually many things--from the Europeans), but even shifting your flights slightly (leaving a day or two early and/or coming home a day or two later) can seriously impact your fare. I've saved a bundle on multiple flights with a slight date adjustment. Just think, that's money saved or a nice dinner or two extra at your destination.

Email Set up a fare alert via email. Companies from KAYAK to Trip Advisor to airfarewatchdog have created tools that track fares by flight route, departure point and destination. All you need to do is go to one of these sites, enter the route you wish to track and you'll receive weekly emails updating you with the best dates and costs.

Not all is Lost Did you purchase a flight and now you're worried about the price dropping? If so, consider Yapta next time you fly. Here's how it works: enter your flight details, if refunds are available they email you, then you can claim the difference.

[photo by david jones]

Travel Trend :: Carry-On Changes Coming?

[trip style = packing light]

Recently, Spirit Airlines, a sizable US-based discount carrier announced plans to charge people up to $45 for carry-ons. Needless to say, a large public outcry ensued in similar proportions to RyanAir's announcement to charge for toilet use.  Channeling my inner grandma: what has our world come to?

The Future of Travel Based on the left pic, is this how Spirit wants us to travel, avec multiple accoutrements hanging from every limb and buried in every pocket?  [More pics below.]

Making Good on Bad Promise? Multiple US-lawmakers have jumped on the lobbying bandwagon trying to stop Spirit from making good on their bad promise to charge for carry-ons and set an unfortunate precedent.  I was almost convinced that the Government would overthrow the idea, yet yesterday morning Spirit Airlines's CEO was on the Today Show defending it, noting that the costs would be off-set by the airline lowering ticket prices.

Like a Fart in Church... Matt Lauer was kind and complimentary to Spirit's CEO, but noted "you had to know this idea would go over like a fart in church."  In response to Spirit's defense of their proposed carry-on bag fees, Senator Schumer discussed the bigger issue which he predicts will be all airlines following suit.  In support of his point, he referenced Spirit as the pioneers in charging for checked baggage--well, we all know how that turned out...$25, $30, $40, $50 dollars later.

Driving Home the Point Although I understand Spirit Airlines' faster-out-of-the-gate motivation in leading the fee-for-carry-on bags, I'm not a fan. Fees never go backwards and airlines will always seek new profit centres. To drive home this point, I've taken the liberty to personally illustrate how people might start showing up at the airport for Spirit flights. Items on my person: hat, comb (attached to hat), toothbrush (in my hair), lipstick (in my hair), undergarments, t-shirt, sweater, jacket, jeans, shorts, two belts, shoes, flip flops, iPod, clear toiletries case, bathing suit, book, umbrella, bracelet, watch & camera.

Travel Trends :: Airport Attractions

Aside from the people-watching, waiting around in an airport is tiring and lame (unless you're this girl). Thank goodness for Asian Airports who are at the forefront of entertaining travelers AND setting the bar higher for airports worldwide. Next time you're travelling internationally (or stuck in an airport due to icelandic volcanic ash), make the most of your layover by checking out these airport attractions:

Changi Airport Singapore Winner of the 2010 Skytrax World's Best Airport Award, Changi knows how to entertain its guests.  Get lost in the 300 retail and dining options at Shopping City--the self-proclaimed 'world's best' duty-free shopping. Once you're tired from purchasing perfumes and Fendi bags, relax at the airport's Balinese-themed, roof-top swimming pool. For approx $10USD get access to the pool, jacuzzi and shower facilities, plus a towel and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink from the bar.  Yes please.  Finally check out the 47 butterfly species fluttering about in the airport's Butterfly Garden.

Hong Kong Airport Golf aficionados might want to fandangle a stop at Hong Kong's international airport just to say they played nine holes enroute to Bangkok (although somewhere to currently avoid with the onset of political conflict). Located in Terminal 2, SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course is Hong Kong's first nine-hole golf course created to United States Golf Association standards. Don't miss: Island Green, the course's signature hole sitting on an island in the middle of an artificial lake.  When you're tired from hitting the green and want to relax, Terminal 2 is the place to be with a 4-D movie theatre featuring the largest 4-D screen in Asia, 7 multi-sensory special effects and 360 seats.

Vancouver International Airport Relaxation is where Vancouver's Airport sets itself apart. Between the nature sounds played in the background, the water features, the impressive fish tanks throughout, these calming cues take the edge off travel. Taking relaxation to the next level is where Absolute Spa comes in. With outlets throughout the domestic and US terminals (as well as in the Airport hotel: Fairmont YVR), Absolute Spa & Salon specializes in chair massage, jet lag treatments, manicures, pedicures and hair services. Finally, for a pick-me-up, head to the Fairmont YVR to use the hotel's health club, sauna and showers for $15.

Heathrow Airport Along with a Yotel, spa services and lounges, Heathrow's piece de resistance is its significant Harrod's presence in terminal 1, 3 & 4, including an 11,000sf space in Terminal 5.  And here's some additional trivia, apparently T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK.  Harrod's Heathrow retail spaces are devoted to fashion and accessories for the distinguished traveller, as well as those who want to pick up some last-min, classier-than-normal souvenirs.  Telephone booth tin with shortbread cookies anyone?

Palm Springs Airport I know, this selection seems weird.  Palm springs airport is undoubtedly small and uneventful, but these features add to its charm.  The airport's beauty mark is its outdoor waiting area with benches, grassy patches, palm trees and flowers overlooking a tall mountain.  So many airports spend money on serenity areas with water features, misting stations, butterfly sanctuaries and nature noises but this comes naturally to Palm Springs.

The Wild Web of Airline Affiliations

Go farther with free travel when you book with one or two airline alliances versus traveling with a hodge-podge of airlines and never amassing points.  Then, escape sooner and more often through loyalty to one program.

Australia - that's a lot of mileage... For example, I'd like to go to Australia later this year.  Even though I desperately want to fly there with VAustralia, I must hold back my index finger from buying the fare online since Virgin's mileage program "elevate" is only applicable for redemption with other Virgin carriers.  For a trip with such a huge distance or mileage earning potential (YVR to SYD), you better believe I'll book with my preferred airline alliance.  It would be stupid not to.  The mileage I'd collect from Vancouver to Sydney return, represents two-thirds the mileage needed to fly from Seattle to the Southern Caribbean return in off-season.

Knowing most of us are price-conscious flyers, start to think strategically about collecting points: - weigh the price difference between the flights in question - which option better aligns with your preferred airline alliance? - which alliance do you fly with more (consider your regular destinations & airlines serving your home airport)?

Start your free travel strategizing now!  Here's a list of global airline alliances and their carriers:

Star Alliance Air Canada Air New Zealand US Airways United Continental Adria Air China ANA Asiana Airlines Austria Blue1 bmi Brussels Airlines Croatia Airlines EgyptAir LOT Polish Airlines Lufthansa Scandinavian Airlines Shanghai Airlines South African Airways Spanair Swiss TAP Portugal Thai Turkish Airlines

One World American Airlines British Airways Cathay Pacific Finnair Iberia Japan Airlines LAN Malev Mexicana Quantas Royal Jordanian

Sky Team Aeroflot AeroMexico AirFrance KLM Alitalia China Southern Czech Airlines Delta Korean Air

Note - Most discount carriers aren't part of global airline alliances, yet some offer mileage-style programs like WestJet dollars, giving frequent flyers cash-back towards use of a WestJet flight or vacation package. - Alaska Airlines has a mileage program and partners with a host of airlines, yet is not part of a global airline alliance (except that most of their airline partners are part of One World...).

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