How to Make the Most of Your Time in the Airport When Traveling for Business

Airports. Are we right?

For some, the hustle and bustle of airports is as comfortable as sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and the latest Netflix hit on the tv. For others, airports are the pits.

For most – the time we spend in the airport could be better spent. Whether we’re scrolling through our social feeds waiting to board, rushing to put our bags back together after security hoping to catch our flight before they close the doors, or shoving snacks down our face so fast to avoid commentary during the flight – the airport experience could be a whole lot better.

While airports are looking more and more like regular malls complete with retailers galore, coffee shops, restaurants and even cupcake ATMs (yes, that’s a thing) – there’s probably a better way for us to pass the time before catching our flights.

Typically, for business travelers, it’s all about timing. How long will it take you to get to the airport, how much time do you really need to check in, what’s the shortest security line, and can you board in the priority lane?

And while business travel can look like a blood sport, much akin to a trip to Disney, it doesn’t have to be.

Instead, your airport time can be used productively. We know, crazy. For most business travelers, we tend to time our trips to be as efficient as possible – cutting our time at the airport down to the shortest duration that we can manage without missing the flight. But often, we end up sitting at the hotel watching the minutes tick by or aimlessly walking around an unfamiliar city trying to “soak in the atmosphere.”

By planning your travel days a bit more strategically, you can use your time in the airport a myriad of different ways.

With access to Executive Lounges, you can get to the airport early – and set some time to catch up on email, make a few necessary calls, and even kick back and relax before the flight. That could free up mental space for you to be able to work on the plane – when the space around you is a little quieter and less frazzled.

For those who are opting out of the exclusive experience, budget your time to mindfully meditate, get a new book, or listen to some killer podcasts. Maybe you even hit the stores to find a souvenir for your kid(s) as you head back to town.

Being productive doesn’t always have to mean making the most out of your time for business. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for your business is take a beat.

Airports always have this vibe and unspoken notion of ‘go, go, go.’ Instead, it should be more ‘go with the flow,’ – which is especially helpful for anyone who isn’t the best flyer. Anxieties creep up on us when we don’t take a moment to slow down. And for better or worse, as humans, we tend to absorb the emotional state of those around us – which is why airports are just gluttons for stress.

However you choose to re-write your travel days, the main thing to keep in mind is to create a plan that not only works for you but one that actually works. It’s up to you to identify what that is.