It’s 2am on a Thursday. My wife’s birthday is today and I’m flying across the US to be with her. I’ve now been at San Francisco International (SFO) for 5 hours because my red eye flight was delayed twice and now won’t leave until 5am (assuming things go smoothly). Typical Thursday morning shenanigans, am I right? 

What a way to start her birthday…

According to FlightAware, an average of 30,000 flights are delayed globally everyday, including 7,000 – 9,000 flights per day in the US. This number is significantly higher compared to Summer of 2022. Given that traveling was just starting to pick up last year due to recovery from COVID, the fraction of delays has still increased significantly more than the volume of flights.

There’s plenty of tips and tricks on what to do to avoid flight delays, or how to deal with your airlines when a major delay occurs. But what about if all you can do is wait it out? Here are my top 6 tips for toughing it out at the airport.

Take a Nap

Find yourself a secluded spot to camp out while you wait out your flight. Pick a padded bench or large chair with enough room to rest your head because let’s face it, the standard seats by the boarding gates are some of the most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever laid my butt on. If you’ve got no other option and you brought a neck pillow with you, take advantage and use what you got! Here are some of the chairs I encountered while stranded at SFO:

Finding it Hard to Nap? Move Around

Let’s face it, flight delays are just downright stressful. If you find yourself restless and can’t settle down into a nap (or if nothing is comfortable for you), go for a walk. If you’ll be in the airport for who-knows-how-long, you might as well take the time to move around and explore! Besides, moving around helps release stress and relax your system. 

While you’re at it, why not do a short workout? If you’re in for a long flight, you’re going to be sedentary for most of the day. Might as well take this chance to burn some calories. 

Side note: Don’t tell me that you’re too embarrassed to work out in front of other people. I’ve heard far too many travelers snoring 2 gates down from me to worry about people looking at me working out.

If you need some ideas for exercise to do in the airport, check out my previous blog on top 3 tips for long flights.

Head to an Airport Lounge

If you have lounge access, this is the perfect time to take advantage of it. Most airport lounges have complimentary food and drink, and some even have a place to shower and freshen up. Because airport lounges have limited access, they offer a place to get away from the crowds of travelers. Use your lounge access as a place to get level headed in the sea of anxiety… or to get your fill of unlimited beverages to drink your sorrows away. The choice is ultimately yours to make.

Meditate

Did you find a secluded spot to hang out but prefer not to grab some z’s? Meditation is a great way to deal with the stress of your delayed flight. Research has shown that mindfulness meditation among healthy individuals was especially effective for reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

Need a better space to meditate? Several airports in the US offer yoga rooms for those that need to get away. They include San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (CHI), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Burlington International Airport (BTV), and Miami International Airport (MIA). 

Need some guidance on how to meditate? Phone apps like Calm, Headspace, and The Mindfulness App are all great resources. You also can’t go wrong searching “guided meditation” or “mindfulness meditation” on YouTube.

Side Note: Mindfulness-based interventions also play a role in improving physical health. They can reduce pain, fatigue, and stress in people with chronic pain. It also can boost the immune system and help people recover more quickly from the cold or flu.

Be Prepared for Anything

My one mistake on this trip was not being prepared (serves me right – I never reached Boy Scout status). Don’t make the following mistakes I made:

I didn’t layer up to anticipate the cold air-conditioned rooms of the airport. My silly self was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, expecting to be in the Florida sun in a few hours. Make sure to wear a light jacket to keep your body operating at a comfortable temperature.

I forgot to bring earplugs or noise cancelling headphones. You never know which one of your neighbors is a loud snorer, or if a child starts crying at 3am (like me as I’m currently typing this). I highly recommend noise cancelling headphones over earphones as they block out sound much more effectively. This helps especially when you’re on your flight since it dampens the plane’s engine noise.

I also didn’t pay attention to my surroundings when airline workers started walking around my gate giving out snacks, water, and blankets (I definitely could have used one of those). You never know what opportunities may pop up.

Explore Your Airport’s Amenities

A quick Google search of “interesting airport amenities” includes airports with movie theaters, swimming pools, slides, nature trails, a golf course/driving range, an ice skating rink, an aquarium, a beer garden, and a distillery. You never know what unique things are at your airport until you explore!

So there you have it – my top 6 tips for toughing it out at the airport. If you like what you read, go ahead and like my post and share it with your friends. If you have any suggestions, comments, or ideas you would like me to blog about in the future, feel free to leave a comment down below!