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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Mark Spivak is an avid traveler who has been on the road since his teenage years. He is the author of two non-fiction books, one novel, and countless newspaper stories, magazine articles and blog posts. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Men's Journal, the Ritz-Carlton magazine and Arizona Highways.
July 10, 2021 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Airports worldwide now offer unique amenities such as in-lounge spas, yoga rooms, and even wedding chapels to enhance the travel experience.
Travelers can access health clinics, movie theaters, swimming pools, golf courses, nature trails, and ice skating rinks at select airports.
Some terminals feature exclusive attractions like rooftop gardens, aquariums, beer gardens, and distilleries, providing entertainment and relaxation during layovers.
Certain amenities may require a fee, specific memberships, or are only available to eligible travelers or during particular seasons.
What to consider
Many amenities are temporarily closed or have restricted access due to health and safety protocols or membership requirements.
Some features, such as pools or lounges, may require payment or proof of eligibility, and not all travelers will qualify for access.
Several highlighted amenities are only available at specific airports or during limited times, so advance research is recommended.
What you'll miss from the article
A comprehensive guide to the most unusual and entertaining airport amenities around the world, including tips on access and seasonal availability.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Just a few years ago, amenities such as in-lounge spas and yoga rooms would have amazed airport passengers; today, they are becoming commonplace. Just as airports are competing for traffic, they're also looking for ways to separate themselves from the competition by offering diversions that take the boredom out of travel.
And now that travel is back with a vengeance, you may find yourself spending more time in airports. Whether you're looking to kill time during a layover or delay, or you're just looking for fun amusements and distractions for the entire family, these are some of the world's most unusual airport amenities.
Health care
(Photo by Cecilie_Arcurs/Getty Images)
There's nothing worse than getting sick or injured while traveling. But these airports have you covered.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP): When you need an adjustment before or after your flight, go to Terminal 1, Concourse C near Gate C12. Chiroport offers chiropractic services including trigger point massage, stretching and adjustments.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): The SFO Medical Clinic, located at the International Terminal Main Hall, pre-security, provides travel medicine, urgent care, immigration physicals and occupational health services, along with COVD-19 testing and vaccines.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR): The Vancouver Airport Clinic offers primary, family and specialized care for passengers and the airport community. Services include travel medicine, physiotherapy, podiatry, acute injury management and specialized aviation and corporate health services. You can also get PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 testing. A full-service pharmacy is located next door.
Movie Theaters
While more and more people have digital devices, the iPad-and-earplug experience still pales next to the big-screen environment. You can burn up several hours of a long layover here:
Singapore Changi (SIN): Two 24-hour theaters (Terminal 2, Level 3, near the Sunflower Garden; Terminal 3, Level 3, near the Ambassador Transit Lounge) show blockbuster films free of charge; however, they are temporarily closed due to the pandemic.
Seoul Incheon International (ICN): Two CGV Theaters, located at Gate 1B, are open 9 am to 11 pm daily (temporarily closed due to the pandemic).
Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP): The See 18 Film Screening Room (Concourse C, near Gate C18) operates 24/7 and shows short films and documentaries by filmmakers from the Upper Midwest.
Movie theater in PDX (Photo by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy)
Swimming Pools
All facilities, except for the one in Punta Cana, are located in airport terminal hotels, and are available to transit passengers for a small fee:
Singapore Changi: Situated in the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, this rooftop pool includes a Jacuzzi, poolside bar and showers. It costs $17 to use.
Hamad International in Doha (DOH): For a $50 fee, the Vitality Well-Being and Fitness Center in the transit hotel features a temperature-controlled 25-meter (82 foot) lap pool, a fully equipped gym, hydrotherapy tub and two squash courts.
Punta Cana International in the Dominican Republic (PUJ): The VIP lounge has an infinity pool overlooking the runways, though access is limited to homeowners of the Puntacana Resort and Club; Priority, Dragon and Lounge Pass cardholders; First and Business Class passengers, and those who purchase the airport's VIP services. Priority Pass membership comes with cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and others.
Punta Cana pool at the Priority Pass lounge. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz / The Points Guy)
Slides
Singapore's airport has multiple really cool slides to help you pass the time. There's Singapore's tallest slide, located in Terminal 3, that allows for a free ride with a receipt for every $8 (approximately) spent at the airport. However, the slide closed on May 10, 2021, and will remain closed until further notice.
Golf Course
Sadly, the Nine Eagles course at HKG has closed, but there are others:
Seoul Incheon: The Sky 72 Golf Club, located five minutes from the airport on a free shuttle ride, gives visitors the opportunity to play either nine or 18 holes on a putting course. If you're pressed for time, you can practice your swing at the driving range.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport: The PGA MSP Lounge isn't a full golf course, but you can practice your swing or putting much closer to home -- and potentially for free — if you have a Priority Pass membership, as that gives you a credit to use as you wish inside the lounge (this benefit isn't available for those who have The Platinum Card® from American Express). (enrollment required)
Airports are all about tarmac, but here's one place that celebrates the great outdoors with carefully planned pockets of greenery:
The elaborate Nature Trail at Singapore Changi includes the Cactus Garden in Terminal 1 (a rooftop garden with over 100 species of cactus from Africa and the Americas), and the Sunflower and Orchid Gardens in Terminal 2. There's also the spectacular Canopy Park.
Yes, this is inside an airport. (Photo by Ethan Steinberg / The Points Guy)
Wedding Chapels
If you get so wrapped up in planning the details of the honeymoon that you forget about the ceremony, these airports combine the romance of travel with romance, period:
Frankfurt International (FRA): Book an all-inclusive wedding package for 1,500 euros and get access to a wedding planner, professional photographer, wedding cake, reception for 15 guests in one of the airport's five-star hotels and a one-night stay in a suite.
St. Louis Lambert International (STL): With 26,000 square feet of event space featuring panoramic views of the runways, you can host a reception of virtually any size.
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): There's an elaborate collection of VIP wedding services at Stockholm Arlanda that includes catering, Champagne, photographers, private lounges and priests from the Church of Sweden. You can even get married in the control tower here.
Manchester International (MAN): Hold your ceremony under the wings of a British Airways Concorde and enjoy a three-course meal on board.
Lace up your skates, cut some figure eights and unwind from your flight:
Munich Airport (MUC): In addition to two seasonal ice skating rinks, travelers passing through Munich Airport can peruse an entire Christmas Market.
Denver International Airport (DEN): Book a flight out of here during the holiday season for access to a free ice skating rink.
Denver ice skating rink (Summer Hull / The Points Guy)
Aquarium
There's a collection of sea creatures in a place where you'd least expect to find it:
Vancouver International (YVR): This engineering marvel begins with a manmade stream running through the International Terminal and culminates in a 30,000-gallon aquarium filled with British Columbia sea life. Highlights include 20 species of fish and a nearly 500-gallon jellyfish tank.
Car Wash
Spokane International (GEG): There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but Spokane International offers a free car wash to anyone parking in the two garages or the outside parking lot. The automated wash covers the outside of the vehicle only, but given the price, it's hard to complain.
Prunier Caviar Bar
You don't have to forgo the good life simply because you're flying:
The legendary Parisian restaurant operates a Caviar and Seafood bar at Hong Kong International, London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW), New York-JFK, Copenhagen International (CPH), Dubai International and both Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly International (ORY) in Paris. Dine on specialties such as Balik smoked salmon, king crab, lobster and fish eggs accompanied by glasses of Champagne.
(Photo courtesy of Dubai Airports)
Beer Garden
If you only have a few hours in transit but want an authentic German experience:
Munich International: Airbräu is a traditional Bavarian beer garden with seating for 600, a mix of salads and hearty German specialties such as sausages and pig's knuckles, and eight beers crafted by master brewer René Jacobsen. Airbräu also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and tours of the microbrewery are available for a modest fee.
Distilleries
Given the current popularity of craft cocktails, it was inevitable that distillers would set up shop in airports:
Portland International (PDX): If you have a Priority Pass membership (see the theme) you can enjoy a $28 credit to visit a whiskey tasting room and learn about the entire grain-to-glass process at the Westward Experience near Gate C6.
London's Gatwick: Home to The Nicholas Culpeper, which was named for the 17th-century physician and herbalist. While the pub and restaurant are open 24 hours, the landside location means you can't carry any of their small-batch gin through security. It is temporarily closed due to the pandemic.
Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
