The “gate escape” trend helps you take advantage of every minute you spend traveling.
It ’s not really a arcanum that equate to the rest of the world , the US has a severe deficit of vacation days ( judge callingFranceduring the entire month of August ) . Because of this , we have to get creative . We do things likehacking our PTOfor the maximum number of daylight off potential . We create cunning phrases for the way we ’re forced to combine body of work and pleasure , like “ bleisure”—tacking on vacation to a work trip — and “ hush trip , ” whereremote employee work from a vacation destinationwithout actually taking time off .
And now there ’s a new strategy to maximize vacation , with the cute name to go along with it : “ gate safety valve , ” which involves make the airport experience part of the holiday . In theirtravel predictions for 2025Booking.com finds that passengers wo n’t just want to kill time at airports , but luxuriate in it . fit in to their website 43 % of young traveler are open to trying lenient aerodrome experiences like slumber pods ( 37 % of Gen Z ) , spas ( 31 % of Gen Z ) and Michelin - starred restaurants ( 22 % of Gen Z ) , begin their vacations right after they get through security department . “ This style marks a shift towards people working to make the most of their vacation from the moment they leave their base , ” they account .
( And yes , before you involve , there is an airdrome with a Michelin - star eatery . It ’s theMountain Hub Gourmetat the Munich International Airport , inside an airport Hilton of all places . beat up the Guy Fieri restaurant at the Burbank aerodrome but who are we pull the leg of , I ’d try both . )
The Rain Vortex waterfall at Singapore’s Changi airport.|picture alliance/Getty Images
Get the Most Time Away from Work with This PTO Hack
Being extra strategic about which days you use your PTO can really pay off.
The results also discover that more than a third ( 34 % ) of traveler are interested in visiting a address based on its aerodrome , which sounds absurd until I thought about Singapore ’s spectacularChangi Airport , with its nature park , waterfall , and automaton bartenders . I ’d really like to see Changi Airport ! It ’s probably part of the reason I ’d finally like to make it to Singapore .
And if this reallyisa grow trend , there are airdrome that are stepping up their game when it comes to comforts , challenging the notion that they ’re merely transit hub . Sleep pods and nail salons are nice , certain , but have you heard about the llama at the Portland drome ? Or theplanespotting pool at the airdrome in Punta Cana ? Even if you are n’t planning your next trip based solely on the destination aerodrome , here are a few places to suppose about when choose choice for a layover .
Portland International Airport : Not only does Portland provide emotional documentation animalsBeni the llama and Captain Jack the alpacato relieve traveler anxiety , it also domiciliate a display case for autonomous movie theater . The Hollywood Theatermicrocinema in the aerodrome ’s C concourse showcases scant films by Pacific Northwest filmmakers .
Hamad International Airportin Doha : We featured Doha ’s airdrome in our story aboutairports with swimming poolsbut this pool comes with so much more . It ’s part of theOryx Airport Hotel ’s Vitality Well - Being and Fitness Center where , for a $ 50 entry fee ( free if you ’re remain at the hotel ) you have approach to not only the lick kitty , but gym , hydrotherapy tubs and shower room . There ’s also a squash courtroom and golf game simulator .
Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Airport : You get laid when you ’re at the airport and have the sudden urge to hone your golf game golf stroke ? At MSP you may do just that at the PGA MSP Lounge , which includes PGA pedagogy , simulators , and put unripened ( for special fees ) . This onerequires a membershipbut if you spend a good deal of time at this aerodrome and/or the green , it may be for you . After all , says the website , “ golf game is the world-wide spoken communication of both travel and business . ”
Singapore Changi Airport : Where do we initiate with Changi ? This is the drome you go to kill time . pole 1 ’s The Jewel is home to the seven - story Rain Vortex , the world ’s largest indoor waterfall , which plunges into a lush rainforest . There ’s also a rock climbing rampart , indoor movie theatre , butterfly garden and rooftop puddle , pluspilates classesif that ’s how you require to drop your layover , you do you . In the revamped Terminal 2 you ’ll find a two - write up streak with a golem bartender , a whiskey waiting area , and a digital sky that commute coloring material according to the time of daytime .
Airbräu brewery and pub in Munich International Airport.|Airbräu
Munich International Airport : We’ve already remark the Michelin - star Mountain Hub Gourmet . And in addition to offeringbehind - the - scenes airport toursMunich airdrome also has its own brewery on - site , Airbräu , a 400 - seat brewpub with seasonal lagers and beers and traditional Bavarian food . But you ’re going to need to spend your layover here during the wintertime season . That ’s when they also have a full - onwinter Greenwich Village , complete with ice skating and curling skating rink , market place booths for shopping and spiced mulled wine-coloured .
Istanbul Airport : Istanbul ’s airdrome opened in 2018 and cursorily became one of the most trafficked airport in the world . With all those multitude , you ’re cash in one’s chips to need to receive somewhere to take a breath . Enter theworld ’s large airport museum , bringing the historical and archeologic bequest of Türkiye to those that might not have the luck to leave the airport ’s walls . It houses 316 artifacts add from museums in the area , and admission fee is approximately $ 14.50 .
