With their hard plastic chairs, plastic food and service to match, airports are about as inviting as a root canal. Sure, elite members-only lounges are a wonderful perk if you have access. But thankfully, more and more airports, especially in Europe, are offering in-house options where even the economy-flier can relax, work and freshen up in civilized surroundings. Here are a few airport rest-stops worth checking out next time you’re passing through.
MUNICH AIRPORT photo by llinke via flickr (commons license)
MUNICH
As the five-star Kampinski Hotel Airport Müchen, designed by Helmut Jahn, passengers are welcome to use the indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and gym for 22 euros. Thus refreshed, head to Airbräu, the world’s first airport brewery with an outdoor beer garden, for a cold one brewed right on the premises.
HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT
At Helsinki’s award-winning airport, known for its Finnish cutting-edge design and first-class telecommunications capabilities, Finavia offers free unrestricted wireless Internet connection, but for a private microenvironment where you can watch a film or work online in peace and techy comfort, check out the “artpod” chairs at eService Bar near gate 20.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Is it possible to vacation with only a 16x14x12-inch bag? The answer from the experts at SmarterLiving.com 
answer: Yes! And in this era when even carry-on bags can incur a hefty fee, packing right can be a big money-saver. So get your ruler out, and prepare to dodge baggage fees. They’ll show you how to do it.
Find out how to fit it all in. Read more…
Or, for my own tips on traveling light, read What Not to Pack
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
You arrived. Your luggage didn’t. For all of us who’ve been there, done that, this laugh’s for you. See you at the baggage claim…
Bon Voyage,
Ellen
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
With Reduced Capacity and Extra Fees, Follow These Tips to Travel in Comfort
SeatGuru announced today its top ten tips for air travel during the holidays. Founder and air travel expert Matt Daimler, who logs more than 100,000 miles in the air each year, says, “With these tips, you’ll be able to stretch out your string bean legs, ensure your knees aren’t mashed like potatoes, and avoid overstuffing the luggage bin.”
1. Board early to avoid checked baggage fees. Boarding order may be just as important as your seat. Boarding early is crucial for passengers who need extra time to get settled, as well as for those in need of overhead bin space. Most domestic carriers have instituted checked-baggage fees, so passengers are carrying on more bags, making the overhead bin a hot commodity. Many airlines board back to front, so try reserving a seat toward the back. See: http://www.seatguru.com/articles/boarding_procedures.php.
2. Request a bulkhead if you have children. Bulkhead seats are often set aside for passengers traveling with infants and children. If you’re flying with the family, call the airline and request a bulkhead for some extra room. Read more: http://www.seatguru.com/articles/bulkheads.php.
3. Select seats at your time of booking. Especially if you’re traveling with family and you want the group seated together, select your seats as early as possible. Be aware that some airlines charge a fee for seat selection. Read more: http://www.seatguru.com/articles/booking_airline_seats.php.
4. Confirm your seat assignment the week of your flight. Airlines sometimes switch the aircraft close to the departure date due to load factors and maintenance. When this happens, pre-reserved seats are reassigned, so you could lose the seat you so carefully selected. Check back often!
5. Check in online. Many airlines only allow exit rows and bulkhead seats to be booked on the day of the flight. Check in as close to 24 hours before departure as possible in order to be one of the first passengers to select from these prime seats.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".