Kill time at an Australian airport with a coffee while people watching

I do prefer leaving an Australian airport after my flight over arriving at one for a flight. Mainly because when I arrive at the airport I never know how long I might be there for. My flight might be delayed, or worse, cancelled. Or I might have a long layover between flights. Whether it is your first ever flight or your one hundredth flight, It can be so annoying having to kill time at an Australian airport waiting to board your plane.

Good news is, Australian airports are becoming more than just a place where aircraft take off and land. They are hubs offering services to the passengers passing through them. So whether it be for an hour or 10 hours (hopefully not), turn what could be hours of boredom into some fun with my suggestions on how to kill time at the airport. They will definitely help to make time go faster at the airport no matter if you are flying solo, in a couple, with a group of friends or flying with kids.

What is an Airport?

I was actually asked what is an airport by one of my kids when they were young. They had only seen planes flying in the sky and now we were going to an airport to get on one as we were flying from Melbourne to the Gold Coast for a holiday. Oh the excitement of discovering a new place! 

An airport is basically a place where aircraft take off and land. Plus, has buildings for maintenance of aircraft, a place for cargo and facilities for passengers to use while waiting for flights. Some are big, and some are small. Overall, I enjoy leaving one as I don’t always enjoy hanging around trying to fill in time at the airport – particularly when feeling anxious about flying.

What are the Different Types of Airports?

Yes, there are different types of airports. Military, Reliever (small airports that take the overflow from big airports) and Commercial Airports. In Australia, passengers mostly fly in and out of commercial airports after buying an airfare.

What are the Functions of an Airport?

An airport has a number of functions which are provided at different areas. 

• There will be a runway for aircraft to take off and land on. Some have more than one runway to allow multiple planes take off and land at the same time.
• Maintenance buildings to maintain the aircraft.
• A terminal with facilities for passengers including check-in facilities, baggage drop-off, security clearance, Passport control, waiting areas with restaurants and bathrooms, and gates leading to the aircraft. There are also private areas for those wishing to pay a little more to enjoy a shower, a bed and food.

What Services Do Aussie Airports Offer?

The size of the airport will determine what services it offers passengers. Small regional Australian airports may be one room – a tin shed perhaps – offering somewhere to sit, a bathroom and maybe a coffee trolley! Some of the larger airports like Sydney and Melbourne have many things on offer because of their size and the large number of people flying into and out of these cities. Services can include bars, restaurants, retail shops, private lounges, sleeping pods, luggage lockers and places to sit and plane watch.

How to Kill Time at Airports in Australia

We all experience different lengths of time at an airport. From waiting for your flight, a layover and those frustrating waits when your aircraft has a mechanical issue or your flight is cancelled. Depending on the time you have at the airport will determine what you will probably do while waiting at the airport. And you don’t have to be bored at the airport. If you find an activity or two to occupy your time, particularly if you happen to be travelling with kids and need to keep them entertained the wait can go very fast. Here are some of the best activities and things to do at the airport to help you pass the time away while waiting for an Australian domestic flight.

1. Grab a Bite to Eat

Top of my list of ways to pass time at the airport is grabbing a bite to eat. I don’t know what it is but I often feel hungry when I get to the airport. Maybe it is because I have been stressed or nervous about the flight beforehand and haven’t eaten. And when I actually get to the airport and have checked in, I get hungry because I’m not so nervous anymore. Lucky for me, most big airports have a variety of food options available from fast food chains to sit down restaurants. So you can enjoy a coffee or meal. I’ve even enjoyed more gourmet foods in some private areas allocated for those willing to pay more via a priority pass or because they are travelling business or first class. Yeah, I collect points too to get upgrades. So grabbing a bite to eat or drink at the airport is a great way to break up the hours spent waiting for your flight at the airport. It’s probably my favourite airport killing time activity.

2. Go to a Bar

Unless you are flying from a very small airport with hardly any facilities, there will be a bar at the airport. I do suggest not drinking before your flight in my post how to get sleep on your plane. But one or two may not hurt too much to help you while away the time while killing time at the airport.

3. Walk Around

When I know I am hopping on a plane for a long-haul flight I like to walk around a lot before I get on the plane. Walking around takes my mind off the flight and I often get on the flight less stressed. It is also helps to keep things moving before sitting on a plane without much movement. It is also good if travelling with kids to use up some of their energy so they may sleep or sit still on the flight.

4. Have a Look at the Shops

All major airports will have shops. Depending on the size of the airport, there could be one variety shop to 20 or so shops – I’m talking Sydney and Melbourne airports only here. I enjoy walking around an airport’s shops as they are a great way to kill time while waiting for my flight. I have purchased last minute items to wear on the plane so I am comfortable to gifts in these stores. Most of all, exploring airport stores can be a fun and FREE way to pass the time.

5. Plane Watch

Plane watching is a great way to kill time at the airport

Yeah, I’m a bit of a plane nerd. I like watching them take off and land. Most airports have a viewing deck where you can watch the plane’s land and take off. It is quite mesmerising. Or set yourself up near a window that has a view of the runway so you can see the planes landing and taking off. And a good game can be guessing what airline will land next and what size the plane will be! 

6. People Watch

As well as watching the planes land and take off, people watch. You will be amazed at how quickly time will fly by when you people watch at an airport. Let your mind wonder about different people and in your head, make guesses about a person. Why do you think they are travelling? Are they giving any clues away to make you think they are flying to see their family, friends or a lover! Have fun with it – but keep it in your head.

7. Charge Your Devices and Use the Free Wifi

With so many people traveling with electronic items, airports offer power points so you can charge your devices including your own power bank. Most airports offer free wifi throughout their terminals so you can work or scroll social media! Some airports may want you to sign up or register for access. Be careful using free wifi as you can expose your devices to viruses and scammers. Perhaps indulge your favourite Netflix show while you have access to wifi! I’ve always found this a great way to kill time at the airport.

8. Read a Book or Magazine or catch up on your favourite Netflix Show

If you love reading, find a spot at the airport and read to your heart’s content! Maybe read up on your destination.

9. Sleep or Rest

Depending on how long you have to wait for your flight, you may want to catch some zzzz’s. Catching up on sleep is one of the best ways to recharge yourself before your next flight. You have probably seen those people curled up on the floor with their luggage as their pillow! Some airports have comfy chairs while some are offering sleeping pods so you can get some sleep. It can help if you come prepared with a travel pillow and a blanket so you can rest in a nice spot. But sometimes I might keep myself up if I am catching a ‘red-eye’ from say Sydney to Perth and vice versa. Or flying to a major city for an international flight. Don’t forget to set your alarm so you don’t miss your flight!

10. Enjoy the Lounge

If you are lucky enough to be travelling in business or first-class or have purchased a membership to an airport lounge, you could be enjoying the services of the lounge. These lounges, which I like to use sometimes when I am travelling, provide comfy seats, bathrooms to freshen up, free food and dink and some have sleeping areas. Spending time enjoying a lounge can help you recharge away from the usual hustle and bustle of the main terminal.

11. Play a Game

One of the best ways to pass the time while waiting for a flight is to play a game. Whether you enjoy solving puzzles, finding words or playing card games, it can help keep your mind occupied and make the wait feel shorter. A great example is Sudoku, a challenging number puzzle game that you can play offline or online. It’s perfect for giving your brain a workout while waiting at the gate.

Are You Ready to Kill Time at the Airport?

When you think about it, there are a number of great things you can do and see at an Australian airport. Whether you choose to rest or explore the airport, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time at the airport. You just need to give it a little thought of how you can turn a boring experience waiting for a flight into a pleasant and fun one. And with a little pre-planning you will be killing time at the airport in no time. I’d love to hear how you kill time at the airport in the comments following. Do you have any to add to my list?