Few people will argue against the efficiency of a direct flight. But depending on your destination, avoiding a stop isn’t always feasible. As a business traveler, you want to maximize your time on the road. So, the next time your itinerary includes a long layover, use our tips for making the most of your (wheels) down time.
Look up a lounge
As business travelers, we often count on uninterrupted airtime to get work done. On a long layover, your next best option for staying productive is to head to an airport lounge. For elite status members, you likely already know where to go. TripIt Pro members—you have a $25 LoungeBuddy credit with your membership. With access to over 2,500 airport lounges around the world, here’s your chance to cash in on the Pro perk you’ve been itching to try.
Not a Pro member? For those travel credit card-toting flyers, this is the time to pull up the Priority Pass app on your phone and find a lounge you may already have access to. For those travelers without any of the above memberships, fear not. You can usually buy a day pass (or even a membership) at a lounge’s entrance.
Catch up with a local client
If you prefer facetime to FaceTime, a long layover presents the perfect opportunity to meet with a local client in-person. Hint: this works especially well in airports that offer rapid transit to the city center. Take London, for example—both Heathrow and Gatwick airports offer express trains to Central London that run every thirty minutes. With ample time, you can have a proper catch up over a cuppa. Your client will feel the love, and you’ll make the most of your down time.
Namaste in the airport
With all that sitting you do on planes, why not loosen your muscles and clear your mind in an airport yoga room? After the successful launch of San Francisco International Airport’s yoga room in 2012, other airports have followed suit in offering travelers a space to unwind before they fly. In addition to SFO, you can find yoga rooms in domestic airports such as Dallas/Fort Worth; Chicago O’Hare; Chicago Midway; and Burlington International. Heading abroad? London Gatwick offers a 20 minute video class in its Southern Terminal. Meanwhile, both London Heathrow and Hong Kong International Airport offer yoga rooms—but only in their SkyTeam lounges.
Need help finding the nearby yoga room? Use TripIt’s interactive airport maps, located right in the app. You’ll also have everything you need to navigate your way with estimated walk times and step-by-step directions.
Squeeze in a little self-care
Looking for stress relief that’s a bit more hands-on? Get a massage. Fortunately, most major airports offer this treat yo’self service right in their terminals. Not up for a massage? Many airport spas also offer facials, manicures, pedicures, and even haircare services.
Prioritize your personal development
You know that book you pack for every business trip that never seems to get read? A long layover is a great time to finally pick up where you left off reading. Whether it’s Emma Gannon’s The Multi-Hyphen Method or Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crushing It!, dedicate your layover to bolstering your skills and focusing on your development. Not much of a reader these days? Perhaps a podcast like The Tony Robbins Podcast or Alexis Ohanian’s Business Schooled is more your speed. Pop your earbuds in, tune the airport world out, and listen your way to a new and improved you.
Note: TripIt Pro’s LoungeBuddy perk will end on April 15, 2019. If you have redeemed your $25 credit, you will need to use it through the LoungeBuddy app. For information about when the credit expires and how to use it, please contact LoungeBuddy customer support.
