Good Ways to Pass the Time While Waiting to Board Your Plane

Waiting to board a plane
Photo by Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash

We all know the feeling of being stuck at the gate in an airport, waiting for boarding to start. Maybe you already bought a snack or a souvenir from an airport shop, or maybe your flight is delayed and you have to hang out at the gate. Either way, you need something to occupy you while you sit there. Here are some activities to do while sitting at your gate.

Sketching

If you’ve got an artistic streak, take a little sketchpad and pencil on your next trip and use the time at the gate to sketch. It’s the perfect time to flex your creative muscle or to work on your technique by sketching your surroundings. When they call boarding you just quickly stash the pad in your bag or pocket and you’re ready to go.

Making Friends

If you’re a social butterfly, you can always strike up a conversation with your fellow passengers. If you’re at the same gate then you have the same destination, so you already have the perfect icebreaker. This is a great way to expand your horizons and practice approaching new people in a low-stakes setting.

Stretching

Once you get on the plane, you’ll have to stay seated for a long stretch of time. That can make you stiff and uncomfortable, so use your time at the gate to stretch out in preparation. You’ll be doing your body a favor by taking this chance to stand and move around before you board.