Stop over for some airport fun

Looks at the best in-transit timewasters to shake off the stress of long-haul travel

Josh Martin

Singapore’s Changi has a swimming pool, a butterfly garden, a koi pond and a slide between levels, while the Emirates’ Dubai hub is basically a small city with some planes on the side. But these rival hubs still offer distractions that could make you late for your next flight.

Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland:

At your gateway to the Nordics,get into Scandinavian life with a go in the airport’s sauna If you’d rather be contemplative than sedative, the airport has modern art, fashion photography, and a sculpture gallery too.

Denver, US:

American airports don’t have the best reputation but if you stop in at Denver, there is something for canine lovers and tense travellers. The Colorado airport is pioneering ‘‘dog therapy’’ for those with flight phobias, the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (so, CATS?). Pooch-pat your problems away.

Hamad International airport, hub for Qatar Airlines will grow in popularity when the carrier begins its direct service to Auckland shortly. Shake off that jet lag and stretch your muscles with a few laps in the airport’s swimming pool suspended over the concourse.

Flying into this British Columbia airport is a feast for the eyes, with snow-capped mountains and forests. Inside the terminal the

Doha, Qatar: Vancouver, Canada:

ISTOCK PHOTO: Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s busiest airports and has plenty to offer travellers in transit.