Getting Stuck at the Airport Turned Into a Pleasant Bit of Downtime

Plus, the peace of mind you need in your travel budget.

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Illustration by: Bashel Lubarsky Flying these days: it can be complicated. If you, like me, got caught up in the CrowdStrike outage, you probably had to deal with a delay or cancellation, maybe a rebooking and the stress of Will my hard earned vacation go according to plan? Our mid-afternoon flight to Vancouver was delayed by nearly four hours, but the experience felt somewhat manageable for two reasons. One, I had purchased travel insurance in advance of our trip, mainly for the medical benefits because we were staying at a remote wilderness lodge in Canada. But the baggage and travel delay coverage ($200 and $1,000 per person, respectively) certainly didn't hurt and it gave me added peace of mind. Travel insurance, in the year 2024, is moving from nice-to-have to need-to-have. Budget for it like you would a fancy dinner out. Also: having a little extra downtime at the newly renovated Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport turned out to be not such a bad thing. Part of a $2.7 billion dollar renovation by the Port Authority, the sleek and streamlined space features works by New Jersey-based artists; a kids play area; and restaurants like Kitchen Step Neighborhood Bistro (the original is in Jersey City). To me, the shift to emphasize all things local at an airport is something long overdue, but I'm seeing it happen globally; check out our list of reader favorite airports around the world in our recent World's Best Awards, and you'll notice a common thread, from the excellent design to the innovative restaurants. This recent delay taught me that getting stuck at an airport can move from being a headache-inducing inconvenience to a pleasant bit of downtime, if you play your cards right. Jacqui Recommends This Is the Secret to Scoring Last-Minute Tickets to the 2024 Summer Olympics for Less READ MORE Jacqui's Pick 9 Best TikTok-Loved Matching Sets for Travel These one-and-done, comfy travel outfits deserve a spot in your closet. SHOP NOW Grenada Is One of My Favorite Caribbean Islands — and It Just Got an Incredible New Resort READ MORE Can You Lose Your Passport If You Don't Pay Taxes? READ MORE What It's Really Like to Travel With the 'Today' Anchors, According to the Morning Crew Themselves READ MORE An Iconic Food Festival Is Coming to Charleston — and You Can Get a Special Offer on Tickets READ MORE Check out our podcast 'Lost Cultures: Living Legacies' Unsubscribe from Membership Updates Manage My Subscriptions We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. This email was sent to jokesbyemail@gmail.com Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe Here Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Help Center Dotdash Meredith, 225 Liberty St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10281 ©2024. All Rights Reserved. Travel + Leisure is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.