Post #38 In-Transit Relax: Stopovers & (Premium) Airport Lounges

I am not a professional travel agent. My own travels have been many & varied. Following are some of my personal thoughts after research; your own research, thinking & conclusions are also necessary.

Q. Is any  *r e l a x a t i o n*  to be had along a long-haul (or inter-continental) flying trip? A. Possibly. With extra itinerary time &/or pre-planning, here are 2 options. Stopovers (1 night or more). & (Premium) airport lounges, for several hrs. stay in an airport.

I am not often flying in first class. I like to break up a (multi-flight) itinerary with several hrs. in between. Spent in the airport, sometimes in a (premium) airport lounge. So far, by purchasing a lounge “day pass”. Research indicates health benefits via such stops. Instead of taking one very long flight. The stop can help re-acclimate the body to ground level atmosphere. Stretching out & walking around the airport… maybe sleeping overnight somewhere; benefits. Or: relax for hours in a lounge. Access to lounge may depend on your airline, class of service, or membership status. & Sometimes (during less busy airport times) one can walk around & enquire. It may be quiet & lounge can make a few extra $ selling a day pass. There are many info articles about premium lounges, & they are not​ all restricted to first class passengers.

3 – 4 hrs. break in a premium airport lounge has benefits which can justify the moderate cost of a day pass, to me. Comfortable roomy seats & spaces. Showers sometimes. Free (hot & cold) food & beverages often included (a glass or 2 of house wine might be on offer). Access to the news in business newspapers & television, & WiFi. I am recently curious whether the included WiFi (which seems to often be @ higher speed) has good online security. Don’t know yet. If particular lounge amenities are important to you, check details before booking in. At the least, ask the lounge receptionist what is included.

Some airlines allow a longer (1 or more nights) stopover stay in the transit city. Sometimes with negotiated (lower price) hotel choices. I have enjoyed a restful, subsidized 1 night stay. It was a positive travel experience. At a luxurious hotel considering the very low price I paid. Again, if particular details are important to your travel experience, pre-check the rules, & what might be on offer. A few of the airlines said to currently offer such travel perks (yes, there are eligibility rules):

1. Turkish Airlines – Offers a free night of hotel accommodation in Istanbul if your layover between 2 of their flights is longer than 20 hours. Business class passengers might stay in a 5-star hotel up to 2 nights. Economy class passengers might stay in a 4-star hotel for 1 night. Airline is said to have some 2023 titles of best airline in Europe & 6^th best airline in the world. With over 300 destinations in 121 countries. Rated 3.5/5 overall by passengers on Tripadvisor website, though there are varying reviews. A frequent traveler who flew with them recently (including with a stopover in Istanbul) thought their onboard food tasty, enjoyed their in-flight entertainment on big screens, & found the plane’s bathrooms pretty nice.

2. Finnair – We might enjoy a Finland stopover for up to five days with Finnair *at no additional cost* (* = your air ticket​ shouldn’t cost more from booking a stopover. Per their website, the airline has info./suggestions for “6, 12 & 24 hour [Helsinki] layover adventures”.

3. Copa Airlines – “Through [a newer] Panama stopover option” this airline’s passengers might make a (24 hrs.- 7 days) stopover in Panama City. No extra charge on the air ticket, booking such a stopover. Still need to cover your own extra expenses, e.g. overnight hotel cost. The stopoverinpanama website notes hotel choices, & some tour itineraries. Apparently hotels on offer are reasonably discounted. Hotel price sometimes includes daily breakfast or daily dinner at the hotel.

Here’s to mindfully building some relaxation into the flying travel part of a trip. I am all for such possibilities.