20 Ways People Entertained Themselves In Airports Before Phones Were A Thing
Airports were once vibrant playgrounds of raw, unfiltered humanity, brimming with activity and unpredictability. Before the era of smartphones and constant connectivity, passengers had to rely on their wits and the environment around them to pass the time during layovers.
People-watching became an art form as travelers observed the diverse range of characters, from hurried business professionals to wide-eyed tourists. Without digital distractions, window shopping was an enjoyable pursuit, as travelers wandered through duty-free stores, examining everything from perfumes to gadgets they couldn’t afford.
Conversations with fellow passengers often led to unexpected friendships, with shared stories and recommendations. For those with a bit of creativity, impromptu games like “I Spy” or guessing the final destination of different travelers provided entertainment.
Lacking Wi-Fi or endless media to consume, airports were an unfiltered social hub, allowing people to engage in simple pleasures, observe life in its rawest form, and connect with the world in ways we often miss today.
1. People Watching Like It Was a Sport
Ever tried to guess a stranger’s life story just from their carry-on? Airports are a live-action play where everyone’s a character. The drama unfolds in real-time: the rushed business traveler in a suit, the family with matching backpacks, or the backpacker with a world map peeking out of their pocket. Judging outfits becomes a silent sport, as you rate everything from sweatpants to stilettos, wondering who these people really are when they’re not rushing to Gate 42.
Then there are the goodbyes — awkward, tearful, or delightfully dramatic. You make snap judgments and spin entire narratives from a single wave. Maybe you even catch a romantic reunion. Whatever the scene, people-watching is the ultimate spectator sport with no admission ticket required.
It’s a beautiful chaos, this bustling tapestry of humanity, where every expression tells a story. Next time you’re in an airport, try it. You might just find that people-watching is the best show in town, and every act is unpredictable.
2. Reading a Real, Actual Book
In the days before screens dominated our attention, books were passports to other worlds. You’d spot someone deeply engrossed in a paperback, a novel that could be Clive Cussler or John Grisham — the airport’s unofficial authors. These books had dog-eared corners and that well-loved look, having journeyed as much as their readers.
The airport bookstore was a treasure trove of last-minute literary escapes. Whether it was a thriller, a romance, or a mystery, a good book was a travel essential. Every page turn was a mile closer to your destination, making waiting times feel like a breeze.
Reading turned terminals into reading rooms, where the rustle of pages was the soundtrack of choice. There’s something magical about getting lost in a story as you wait to embark on your own. So next layover, consider trading your screen for a novel. The adventure might just surprise you.
3. Browsing the Gift Shop for No Reason
Airports are where you contemplate buying a $14 keychain for someone you vaguely remember from that office party last Christmas. Gift shops, with their aisles of shiny, seemingly unnecessary items, become a hub of curiosity and impulse.
You touch everything — mugs with cityscapes, snow globes with miniature landmarks, and quirky magnets that scream “souvenir.” Trying on oversized sunglasses or considering a plush toy becomes an adventure in itself. It’s retail therapy without the commitment.
Even if you leave empty-handed, the act of browsing is an activity, filling the time between security checks and boarding announcements. So, should you ever find yourself mindlessly wandering an airport gift shop, know that you’re participating in a time-honored tradition. The thrill, after all, is in the browsing.
4. Talking to Strangers
Before our noses were buried in screens, striking up a conversation with a stranger was the norm. Airports were melting pots of chatter, where sharing travel tales and tips with the person in the next seat was almost obligatory.
Sometimes these encounters were magical, leading to lifelong friendships or at least a good story to tell. Other times, they were just plain weird, like the time a grandmother shared her secret lasagna recipe unsolicited. But that was the charm.
Talking to strangers could turn mundane layovers into memorable moments. It was about human connection, fueled by shared experiences and the mutual anticipation of what’s to come. The next time you’re tempted to scroll, try turning to the person next to you instead. Who knows what stories you might uncover?
5. Flipping Through a Magazine You’d Never Buy Anywhere Else
Airports have a unique effect: suddenly, every magazine on the rack looks like a Pulitzer contender. Reader’s Digest, Cosmopolitan, or Field & Stream — titles you’d never pick up anywhere else become strangely alluring.
You find yourself leafing through pages of celebrity gossip or outdoor adventures, absorbed in articles that range from how to bake the perfect soufflé to the latest in tractor technology. It’s a temporary escape, a guilty pleasure indulged without judgement.
Magazines offer a tactile experience, a contrast to the digital world. They give you something to do, a way to kill time with glossy pages and colorful ads. Next time you’re in a terminal, grab a magazine. You might find yourself enjoying the unexpected enlightenment.
6. Playing with the Payphone
Before smartphones, payphones were the original communication devices, even if just for fun. Calling home collect or leaving a cryptic message was a common way to amuse oneself.
Imagine pretending to be a spy, dialing numbers as if passing secret codes. The tactile satisfaction of pressing those buttons, hearing the dial tone, was all part of the allure.
While payphones have mostly vanished, their legacy as a source of airport entertainment remains. They were our link to the outside world — a relic of a time when conversations weren’t just texts on a screen.
7. Drinking Terrible Coffee Just to Pass Time
Ah, the quintessentially questionable airport coffee. You’d sit at that sad little airport diner, sipping coffee that tasted vaguely of battery acid, just to pass the time. The bitter brew was a rite of passage for travelers.
Even as the taste made you cringe, the familiarity of the ritual brought comfort. It was a reason to sit still, to watch the world go by, cup in hand, and maybe indulge in a second refill — bravery or desperation?
Coffee in airports wasn’t about flavor; it was about the experience. Sometimes, a bad cup of coffee is the best way to waste an hour. Next time you find yourself yearning for a familiar ritual, seek out that airport café and embrace the legacy.
8. Walking Laps Around the Terminal Like It Was a Track Meet
In airports, pacing was the exercise du jour. Without a destination, you counted gates like laps at a track meet, just to fill the hours before boarding.
The terminal became an improvised gym, where fitness enthusiasts and anxious travelers alike strutted their stuff. You might even make a game of it, seeing how many escalators you could ride or duty-free stores you could pass.
Walking was a way to shake off the cabin fever of sitting still. It put purpose in your stride and time in your hand, all without a treadmill in sight. Next time you’re waiting, lace up those sneakers and embrace the airport walkabout.
9. Window Shopping at the Duty-Free Store
Duty-free stores: the grown-up candy lands of airports. Here, window shopping was an art form. Spraying all the perfumes, trying on sunglasses — these were the little indulgences that made time fly.
You’d eye the oversized Toblerones and fancy liquors with a mix of temptation and restraint. Your senses were your guide, leading you through aisles of luxury, even if only in spirit.
Duty-free shopping was about the experience, not the purchase. It was a chance to indulge in the fantasy of impulsive luxury. So, the next time you’re in transit, take a detour through the duty-free and savor the make-believe.
10. Filling Out Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles were the original brain teasers for layover survivors. Armed with a pencil and determination, you’d tackle clues with gusto, cursing that elusive answer in the bottom left corner.
The satisfaction of filling in each box was its own reward. Mistakes were erased and retried, a testament to persistence. It was a mental workout disguised as leisure.
In the analog world of airports, crosswords provided the perfect blend of challenge and relaxation. So, next time you wait, grab a puzzle. It’s a timeless test of wit and wisdom.
11. Writing Postcards You’d Never Actually Send
There’s something nostalgically quaint about writing postcards in an airport. Even if you didn’t mean it, you’d scribble “Wish you were here!” with a wink and a smirk.
These cards were often destined for the bottom of your carry-on, never to see a postbox. Yet, the act of writing was a charming diversion, a connection to the world left behind.
Postcards were souvenirs of thought, little messages to no one in particular but yourself. Next time, why not pen a note? You might just enjoy the simple pleasure of putting pen to paper.
12. Staring Out the Window Like a Thoughtful Movie Protagonist
Windows offered a portal to contemplation, a stage where you could play the thoughtful protagonist of your own 90-minute drama. Watching planes take off and land, or luggage carts zigzag around, was mesmerizing.
You’d imagine adventures in faraway places or reflect on the journey so far. The horizon was filled with possibilities, framed by the terminal’s glass.
Staring out the window was a silent meditation, an escape without leaving your seat. So, next layover, find your window on the world and let your thoughts soar.
13. Playing Cards With a Travel Buddy or a Friendly Stranger
Cards were the original portable entertainment. Whether it was Uno, Go Fish, or an intense game of Spades, a deck of cards brought people together like nothing else in the airport.
Games could be quick diversions or last the entire layover, with laughter and lighthearted competition filling the air. Cards were the social glue that turned strangers into friends.
With cards in hand, time flew by as skill and luck decided the victor. They were simple, engaging, and always a good bet for entertainment. Next flight, pack a deck and deal yourself in on the fun.
14. Doing Absolutely Nothing and Being Fine With It
Sometimes, doing nothing is the best form of entertainment. No distractions, no urgency — just sitting with your thoughts and embracing the art of idleness.
Airports became a haven for introspection, where you could let your mind wander free, unanchored by schedules or alarms. It was a rare opportunity to be present, to simply exist.
Being content with doing nothing was a skill worth mastering. Next layover, give it a try. You might find it’s the most rewarding activity of all.
15. Buying Snacks You Didn’t Even Want
Airports are where diets go away. You’d find yourself buying trail mix, stale pretzels, or a $4 Snickers bar — not out of hunger, but sheer boredom.
The act of buying snacks was a ritual, a way to pass the time without much thought. It was a distraction, one that often left you with a handful of unnecessary calories.
Sometimes, the snacks weren’t the point; the purchase itself was the entertainment. Next time, indulge in a treat — but remember, it’s the thought that counts.
16. Trying to Decipher the Flight Information Boards
Before digital screens, those clacking flight information boards were mesmerizing. You’d stand before them, trying to decipher the ever-changing puzzle of destinations and gates.
The rhythmic clatter of updates was both soothing and mysterious, a symphony of travel. Each change brought a new piece to the puzzle, challenging you to keep up.
Deciphering these boards was an art form, one that required patience and a keen eye. Next time, step back and appreciate the choreography of travel information.
17. Watching Kids Run in Circles and Hoping They’d Tire Out
Children in airports are like sugar-fueled tornadoes. Watching them run in circles, hoping they’d tire out before the flight, was both amusing and exhausting.
Their energy was contagious, a reminder of the restless excitement of travel. As they played tag or invented games, you couldn’t help but smile — especially if you weren’t the parent.
Kids provided ambient entertainment, a whirlwind of motion and laughter that filled the terminal. Next time, sit back and enjoy the show.
18. Making Up Songs About the Intercom Announcements
Airport intercom announcements were the secret soundtrack to your layover. You’d find yourself making up songs, turning “Flight 327 to Dallas is now boarding” into a dramatic ballad.
These musical interludes were spontaneous and silly, bringing a touch of humor to the mundane. They were a creative outlet, a way to pass the time with a smile.
Next layover, let your imagination run wild. Who knows? You might discover your inner rock star amid the airport chaos.
19. Sketching or Journaling Like a Low-Key Beat Poet
With a notebook in hand, you’d become a low-key beat poet, capturing the existential vibe of Gate 12B. Sketching luggage carts or jotting down thoughts gave structure to time.
The world became your canvas, a place where every line or word held a story. You’d find inspiration in the hustle and bustle, a muse in every announcement.
Next time you’re waiting, pull out that pen and paper. You might just uncover a hidden world of creativity.
20. Wondering If You Were Going to Make It to Your Gate on Time
Before apps tracked your every move, traveling required instincts. You’d wonder if you’d make it to your gate on time, a thrilling race against the clock.
Armed with only a crumpled boarding pass and gut feeling, you navigated the terminal’s twists and turns. The adrenaline rush was real, a test of timing and endurance.
Next trip, embrace the uncertainty. After all, isn’t travel about the journey more than the destination?