by James Mackness

Created on: February 02, 2009   Last Updated: February 13, 2009

Your plane lands. You collect your carry on bag and join the press of bodies exiting the aircraft. The crowd peters out and you check your watch six and one half hours until your connecting flight boards. Fortunately, you planned your trip well, saw this coming, and are prepared. There are many ways to keep occupied and productive during a long layover.

Some airports offer many entertainments, activities and distractions. As soon as you realize you will have a long layover, research the airport and explore your options. Singapore's Changi Airport, for example, includes a swimming pool, napping areas, six gardens (including a butterfly garden and two koi ponds), music lounges, a movie theater, a gaming room, children's playgrounds, beauty salons and spas, supermarkets and free tours of the city. Your layover can be a mini-vacation in the middle of your flight, but even a layover in a more sparsely-equipped airport can be enjoyable.

Your first priority should be to attend to practical matters. Use the restroom. Adjust your clothing. Have a snack. Due to the recycling of air in aircraft cabins, air travel can be very dehydrating, so have a drink - water and tea are best. If you are a regular traveler, or even someone who takes an annual vacation, it is well worth your time to make notes of any ideas that will improve future travelling experiences. A few notes, such as "Tape loose backpack straps", and "Babies scream on airplanes bring ear plugs!" can really help next time around.

While you are being so forward-looking, you should visit your airline's desk and see if you can get bumped to first class. If space is available, airlines will often allow you to change your seating arrangements for connecting flights and you won't have to pay full price!

Layovers can also be a good time to look back, towards home. Did you forget to call Mom last night? Did you promise to send your best friend a post card to add to her collection? Your stay at the airport is the perfect time for these tasks. If you've brought your wireless-enabled laptop, or if your airport has an Internet cafe, you can also read and send emails, or do research on your next port of call. The layover is also a good chance to make sure that all of your electronic devices, from your cell phone and laptop to your mp3 player and your razor are all fully charged.

With all of the personal maintenance and functional tasks taken care of, it's time to have fun. Learn to enjoy the layover. Listen to music on your mp3

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