What To Do At The Airport When You’ve Got Time To Kill Before A Flight

If you’re a good, punctual human who values the cost of an airfare, you’ll likely be at the airport with plenty of time to kill before your flight.

Should you sleep your way through the time? Should you scroll through the feeds of people who have popped out babies, somehow making you feel weird about your own life’s progress? Should you re-read the decade-old message chain from your ex to try and make a new discovery about what the hell went wrong?

Whether you’re leaving home or enduring a stopover, there are things you can do to chew up the time instead, which I will now impart.

1. TREAT YO’SELF

If you’re about to go on a vacation of sorts, you should be in holiday mode the minute you walk into the airport because, ideally, you’ve left the routine and responsibility of your everyday life at the sliding doors. Besides, have you seen airports lately?

There’s so much indulgent stuff to get amongst. At Brisbane International Terminal, for example, you could treat yourself to a massage at the Wellness Spa, get your holiday brow game on point at Benefit or people watch with a feed at Burger Urge, Brisbane River Grill or Tuk Chop. At Brisbane Domestic Terminal you can indulge in a Krispy Kreme donut, Carl’s Jr burger (one of the very few in Australia, mind you) and top up your face at Mecca. Whatever suits you, your highness.

2. SQUEEZE IN SOME EXERCISE

You’re about to sit down for a hell of a long time, literally, so why wouldn’t you utilise the time beforehand to move around? You probably won’t feel like it at the time but you’ll thank yourself for it later when you’re stationary.

Chances are you checked in your luggage, so that excuse is invalid here. If you’ve got carry-on that’s big? Use it as a weight. Even if you just briskly walk around, it’s a great way to get the blood pumping and there are plenty of amazing shops and restaurants you’ll come across, that you may not have otherwise discovered.

3. FIND YOUR INNER-ZEN

You know why a lot of people don’t meditate? Of course you do, as you’re probably one of them (as am I). It’s because we don’t think we have the time. There are a bunch of free mindfulness apps in the App Store – just search for them, pop in the headphones, shut the eyes and cop some you time. In fact, you might want to meditate on the plane too – it could help you catch some shut-eye.

4. CATCH UP ON SOME A+ READING

There are so many newsagents at the airport (NewsTravels is where it’s at), so stock up and have a good old time comparing goss between two competing celeb magazines. There’s nothing like one front cover saying Matty J has called it quits with Laura while the other says his pregnant with Tara’s baby. It’s a true rollercoaster.

While you’re at it, catch up on all the other goss that will make you feel more confused than informed. Got to love that readable trash. If that’s not your vibe, grab a novel and kickstart the reading you’re about to do on the plane. If you start at the airport, chances are you’ll continue on the plane instead of watching movies you’ve already seen.

5. CALL YOUR MUM

You probably don’t call her enough, so squeeze in a quick dial. It’s the least you could do if you’re about to leave / return home – woman’s probably worried about you.


6. WRAP UP ANY WORK STUFF

You don’t want to get on the plane (that, more often than not, doesn’t have wifi) and realise you forgot to put your OOO on. Hit up one of the airport’s The Coffee Clubs, buy a latte, utilise the airport’s unlimited internet wifi connection and sort out all those loose ends. You’ll be far more likely to really relax once that’s looked after.

Remember, it’s always worth allowing plenty of time before a flight. Book parking to make sure of that here.

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