Pooling resources during Atlanta flight delays

“Stuck” in Atlanta at busy Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport? Not to worry.

My last lengthy flight delay occurred the Monday after Mother’s Day weekend. Thankfully, my airline notified me hours in advance of the postponement. I debated whether to extend my hotel reservation or swim my way through the delay. I chose the latter.

Reduce the stress

Jump in airport pools in Atlanta, Ga; Bangkok, Thailand; Detroit, Mich; Fort Worth. Texas; Munich, Germany; Orlando, Fla; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Qatar (western Asia); Singapore (southeast Asia); and Vancouver, Canada. Soon, JFK Airport will debut its rooftop pool in the TWA Flight Center.

My tips:

1. Always travel with your swimsuit or fork over $$$s for hotel-bought swimwear.

2. Check whether hotel day rates are available at onsite or nearby airports if you rather nap instead of completing pool laps.

3. Confirm the pool rules. My hotel at the Atlanta airport did not have a pool. Yet, my airport folio accompanied by a note by the front desk staff to the across-the-street hotel, yielded me a cool pool afternoon before boarding a flight that evening to chilly Chicago.

Not a swimmer or want other entertainment or relaxation? Check with airports on your next destination just in case your flight is delayed. Up for shopping, videos, gyms and elaborate play areas? Get stuck in Chicago’s airports.

Ann L. Wead Kimbrough is an accomplished educator, award-winning financial journalist, author, special events leader, mentor and prolific contributor to select global and domestic non-profit causes. Her blog topics include travel, history, humor, education, career, family, journalism and ‘thought you should know’ subjects. https://www.linkedin.com/in/annlineve/