Destinations

Ground Control

5 Airport Amenities You Never Saw Coming

Delayed flights. They’re the worst. Maybe. Unless you can kill time in a sauna. Or playing squash. Or swimming up to a handsome pool bar. In which case, they’re maybe the best. Here then, five totally extravagant new airport amenities that you never knew you needed. Until now.

HELSINKI AIRPORT

Saunas. In Finland. Go Figure.

You Require: A toasty steam, a hot shower and some forest-berry-scented bath gels. If we’re being specific. Which we always are.
You’ll Receive: An all-white Nordic temple of Zen-centering delights at the Finnair lounges. Take a private shower. Nap in the sauna. Let loose on the platters of lingonberry-filled pastries.

HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Exit the Plane. Enter the Squash Court.

You Require: Something to hit (after all, you just got off a transatlantic flight). You’d also like to make sure you can still move your limbs.
You’ll Receive: Two full-size squash courts inside the airport’s sprawling, four-star hotel. And in case you need a refresher, personal instructors will be on standby. To help you perfect your serve. Or learn how to actually play squash.

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

Poolside Cocktails in a Tiered Temple

You Require: A palatable cocktail not served in a plastic cup and some non-fluorescent rays of light.
You’ll Receive: A garden-ringed pool underneath a temple-style awning at Suvarnabhumi Airport, built with a fully stocked, swim-up bar. It’s like a mini tropical vacation. From your vacation.

ATATÜRK AIRPORT

Virtual Golf and Slot Car Racing

You Require: Games. Sportsmanship. A tiny model of Istanbul.
You’ll Receive: An impressively stacked arcade, complete with virtual golf simulator and slot car track set up around a mini Istanbul. The catch: it’s members-only, but they’re allowed a plus-one. So find a friendly-looking person and do the secret Turkish handshake.

DÜSSELDORF AIRPORT

A Robot Will Valet Your Car Now

You Require: The future.
You’ll Receive: A car-parking robot named Ray. Now, Ray can’t help you out with your layover. But he can scan your car’s dimensions and park it for you or have it ready for you when you land. So he’s going to go ahead and do that.