Airports can be a place where it feels like time stands still. As somebody who is not too fond of flying, occupying your mind and staying entertained before boarding a flight can be invaluable. In the digital age, there are many options to consider.
We now have devices in the palm of our hands that can perform all sorts of tasks, whether we are downloading our favorite films and TV shows or looking to find new games to keep our brains focused. While these are just some of the ways that we stay entertained, it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how much potential there is to stay entertained as we twiddle our thumbs in the airport.
Exploring new gaming ideas and promotions
Millions of people enjoy playing games in the airport, but straying away from genres we like can sound less than appealing. It doesn’t matter if we are playing on our smartphone or our tablet as there’s a growing demand for niche genres and themes, and more gaming companies are looking to use promotions to bring new customers on board.
It’s an approach we have seen in casino gaming, where companies have been spending millions of dollars looking to expand their reach and develop a global gaming base. It’s become such a competitive market that brands like AskGamblers have developed an experienced review team to evaluate and detail the sites and promotions that they most like the look of.
They use several factors to determine each site’s rating. However, promotions are a cost-effective way to see what a site has to offer. There are also several mobile apps which offer free-to-play games, where you use on-site currencies rather than using your real money. This can be ideal for games like poker, so you can learn the rules and experience a gaming environment without having to worry about monetary loss.
If you do seek out a gambling site, you must stay within your limits, do not gamble with money you can’t afford to lose, and do not chase your losses. If you exhibit signs of problem gambling, reach out to a charity or a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which can provide help and support.
Sticking to gaming options you enjoy
For some people, the idea of firing up a new game is not something they’re interested in, not in the airport, anyway. Technology is now the bedrock of all gaming innovations, and personally, when I am in the airport, I play games that I am used to playing in physical forms. Chess, Scrabble and even 8-ball pool are all easy to find online.
More contemporary options that people opt for include Clash of Clans and Call of Duty: Mobile. Although it is a gaming franchise that has been criticised for lazy franchise additions rather than worthwhile instalments, the mobile version of Call of Duty is a well-made game.
To find other games you enjoy, it can be worth searching around on YouTube and online gaming communities for similar titles that you haven’t checked out yet. Where better to do it than when you are sitting around in the airport looking to make the time go by faster?
Taking it back to more traditional ideas
If you are about to jump on a plane, especially for a long-haul flight off to a big travel adventure, you’ll have a screen at your disposal for the entirety of the trip. For many travellers, if they have a daunting 14- or 15-hour flight ahead of them, then moving around the airport and getting some exercise and steps in can be a great way to burn off some energy and prepare for the long trip ahead.
Another approach is to pack a few paperback books rather than relying solely on technology. The rising popularity of dumb phones signals that more of us are rejecting the idea of impending digital dominance, and sitting down with a good paperback has been the choice of entertainment for airport travellers for the best part of 70 years.
Reading is a good option that helps us put our phone away, reduce our screen time, and it can really pass the hours, especially if the book is an enjoyable read.
See what the airport has to offer
Some international airports are like cities, and that’s not hyperbole; some airports see tens of thousands of people travelling through on any given day. Singapore, for instance, is one of the premier travel destinations in Asia, but it is also one of the most intriguing airports on the planet.
Changi Airport features a huge waterfall and a nature-themed retail complex. So, in some cases, the airport can keep you more entertained than most things you’ve packed in your carry-on luggage. Walk about, stretch your legs, and check out the restaurants and the gyms.
Final boarding reminder
Staying entertained at the airport is something that can take on different forms depending on how often you travel and the length of your journey. If you are constantly transiting and knows an airport like the back of your hand, then going for a stroll might not be the most appealing. However, if you rarely get to the airport, and you are exploring a new terminal you’ve never visited before, then the movies on the iPad and the paperbacks in the carry-on can wait. Save them for the plane, we say.
