June 18, 2012

14 Airport Amenities That Will Make You Long for a Layover 

(CNN) -- It's inevitable these days. If you fly, you're going to have to spend a good amount of time at the airport, either waiting to take off or between flights. Thankfully, more and more airports are sympathetic to your situation and are adding unique amenities to help keep you entertained. Of course, you can always whip out your laptop and check your e-mail or stop into the nearest newsstand and pick up the latest James Patterson thriller, but we think you'll find these options a lot more exciting.

Visit Casey's Webpage

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Miami, Florida: Need some snuggle time? Casey, a 69-pound golden retriever, strolls though Miami International Airport two days a week with owner Liz Miller, an airport volunteer. The trained therapy dog is outfitted with a "Pet Me" uniform and her own business cards (e-mail her at casey@miami-airport.com). Casey and Liz give passengers directions and generally try to ease the travel experience.

And if you're flying with a pet in tow, you'll want to make note of the growing number of animal relief areas, like those at the Miami airport that feature patches of real grass and a bright yellow fire hydrant. www.miami-airport.com.   Continue  

January 18, 2011

Fodor's 10 Best Airports for Layovers 

Airport layovers have always been the most-dreaded part of airline travel. But recent years have seen a slew of airport-management firms transform their facilities into mega-entertainment complexes featuring everything from golf courses and spas to aquariums and butterfly gardens, making a well-chosen stopover a rare win-win in the world of travel. Here's a list of ten airports that give you reason to slow down during transit—or even hope for a delay.

Airport Code: MIA
Chance of Delay: 39.63%
What to Do: As a gateway for routes south, it’s no surprise that Miami is stocked with amazing Latino site-specific art projects like the massive and colorful Carybé Murals, while the mobile Andan Volando by Emilio Adan Martinez dangles from the ceiling of the North Terminal. But the Latino food refuses to be upstaged: guava pastelitos from Café La Carreta and café cortaditos and ham and cheese empanadas from Café Versailles are as good as anything you’ll find below the equator.
Insider Tip: At this writing, a massive renovation is scheduled to be complete in October 2011, but the brand new skytrain is already transporting passengers throughout Concourse D. Continue