With their hard plastic chairs, plastic food and service to match, airports are about as inviting as a root canal. Sure, elite members-only lounges are a wonderful perk if you have access. But thankfully, more and more airports, especially in Europe, are offering in-house options where even the economy-flier can relax, work and freshen up in civilized surroundings. Here are a few airport rest-stops worth checking out next time you’re passing through.
MUNICH AIRPORT photo by llinke via flickr (commons license)
MUNICH
As the five-star Kampinski Hotel Airport Müchen, designed by Helmut Jahn, passengers are welcome to use the indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and gym for 22 euros. Thus refreshed, head to Airbräu, the world’s first airport brewery with an outdoor beer garden, for a cold one brewed right on the premises.
HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT
At Helsinki’s award-winning airport, known for its Finnish cutting-edge design and first-class telecommunications capabilities, Finavia offers free unrestricted wireless Internet connection, but for a private microenvironment where you can watch a film or work online in peace and techy comfort, check out the “artpod” chairs at eService Bar near gate 20.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Is it possible to vacation with only a 16x14x12-inch bag? The answer from the experts at SmarterLiving.com 
answer: Yes! And in this era when even carry-on bags can incur a hefty fee, packing right can be a big money-saver. So get your ruler out, and prepare to dodge baggage fees. They’ll show you how to do it.
Find out how to fit it all in. Read more…
Or, for my own tips on traveling light, read What Not to Pack
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Southwest announced its newest product this week, EarlyBird Check-in, which gives Customers the option to score an early boarding position by adding an additional $10 to the price of a one-way fare.
The low-cost service automatically reserves a boarding position for Customers prior to general check-in, allowing EarlyBird Customers to begin boarding the plane after Southwest’s Business Select and Rapid Rewards A-List Customers. EarlyBird Check-in is available for purchase beginning, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, for travel beginning Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009.
For additional information on EarlyBird Check-in, visit http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html or the Company Blog at www.nutsaboutsouthwest.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Pets will now have the “Freedom to Fly” on Southwest Airlines. Southwest will soon allow Customers to bring along small cats and dogs in the aircraft cabin for a special low “pet fare” of $75 each way. All pets must be in a carrier that fits under the airplane seat, and the carrier will count as the Customer’s carryon bag. Customers can begin purchasing tickets for their small cats and dogs on June 1, 2009, for travel beginning June 17, 2009. Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".