If you are a frequent traveler or someone embarking on your first adventure, you'll likely end up at some point at an airport. If you must make flight connections, time can drag as you wait, but it needn't be like that.
Airports are now quickly catching up with travellers seeking a better sleepover experience than stretching out on the floor with hand luggage used as a pillow. Here are some of the most proactive airports enabling travellers to get their beauty sleep:
Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
Rated by travellers as one of the best in the world for a sleepover experience, Singapore Changi has everything to meet the needs of the most weariest traveller. There are free snooze lounges in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, but these chairs are incredibly popular, probably because they are super comfy. If you're looking to move up in the comfort stakes, the Plaza Premium Lounge offers sleeping pods and hotel-style rooms.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkey
One of the latest airports to seize on the 'snooze' trend is Sabiha Gökçen International. It recently installed sleeping pods with a TV, wifi, and free hot drinks. There are ten pods for women, 18 for men and one for families. Belongings can be stored in reserved encrypted storage units. The cost to rent a pod is 7 euros per hour.
Mexico City Airport, Mexico
Mexico City's airport is another airport to join the sleeper list. Here, it offers a pod-style capsule but with a bathroom and locker for luggage. The cost is $30 a night.
Istanbul Airport, Turkey
The IGA Sleepod service is said to be located at the calmest point at Istanbul Airport. Travelers can rent a pod for 9 euros per hour, with single-use blankets included. Additional services, including extra blankets and pillows, cost an additional 2 euros. The cabins come with a USB port and an outlet, allowing passengers to operate or charge their mobile phones. Luggage can be stored at the bottom of the pod.
Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea
Many passengers facing a sleepover at Seoul Incheon often speak of the sleep factor as one of the best on the airport landscape. Travellers can benefit from large padded recliners available in a few dedicated rest areas and ample rows of armrest-free seats located near boarding gates. There is a capsule hotel where small rooms cost $57 per capsule.
Hanoi Airport, Vietnam
Vietnam continues to surprise and delight for all the right reasons, especially with the availability of VATC Sleep Pods at Hanoi Airport. There are 14 bedrooms, including three single and 11 twins rooms at Terminal 1, while there are two single and 12 twin rooms in Terminal 2. They offer free wifi, blankets, satellite channels and air conditioning. Prices vary.
Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong
Hong Kong is another example of how to keep the passengers engaged and offer a relaxing experience away from the stress of travelling. While there are many charging docks for electronic devices, the airport has a lounge near gate 60 dedicated to sleeping rooms.
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, Netherlands
There are dedicated rest zones and various seating options throughout Amsterdam Schiphol to get your head down overnight. While the hot spots are around Piers E and F, there are comfy rest zones at Gates D, Gates E upstairs and Gates C and D.
Sleeping Is Now Big Business
Now, companies are getting their $$$ out of people's ZZZs on a global scale. The likes of NapCabs, YotelAir, Minute Suites and Snooze Cube offer different types of accommodation at different rates.
NapCabs has opened units in Munich, Berlin and, latterly, in Frankfurt. They offer a small bed with internet access and a TV. Frankfurt Airport FRA - Terminal 1A Plus level 02 near Gates A58 offers six new Napcabs sleeping cabins. These are located inside the security area of Terminal 2 and are accessible for passengers travelling to a destination inside the Schengen area.
Frankfurt's new NapCabs are also equipped with a comfortable bed, individually adjustable air conditioning, alarm clock, USB charging station, Internet access and other features - ideally tailored to the needs of travellers who want to retreat from the airport hustle and bustle for a few hours.
YotelAir capsule hotels also exist at airports in Amsterdam, London Gatwick, Singapore Changi, Istanbul and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Go Sleep Pods, offering an average price range from 10-15 USD per hour, can be found at numerous airports, including Helsink-Vanita, Amsterdam Schiphol, Perth, Istanbul and Warsaw.
As well as other companies offering similar relaxing experiences, Kepler Club is set to be the next one on the block. Opening its offering at Sabiha Gökçen International, it aims to be the next-generation passenger experience.
Each sleeping cabin also has a personal tablet computer, where guests can check their flight status, engage in duty-free shopping or order items they may have left in their luggage, such as a toothbrush or charging cable. Kepler Club even has a robot that moves around inside the area, delivering the items. The next openings for Kepler are at Riga International Airport and Kuala Lumpa Airport.
It makes you wonder whether sleeping is the next Big Easy in business.
