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PASSENGERS ARE NOW EMBRACING THE IDEA OF ‘SLOW TRAVEL’ WITH MANY OPTING TO GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLIER THAN EVER BEFORE TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT AS MUCH STRESS 07:00, 17 May

2025Updated 09:11, 19 May 2025 With many Brits now planning one big holiday per year instead of multiple smaller ones, long-haul travel is back—and with it comes renewed interest in how to

make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Recent findings from ABTA show that almost half of British people are opting for longer-haul trips this year. Airport transfer company SCS

Chauffeurs reports a growing trend in travellers booking earlier pickup times, not just to avoid stress, but to make the most of airports with genuinely great experiences. Hadleigh Diamond,

Commercial Director of SCS Chauffeurs, explains: “Rushing through an airport might have worked when all you wanted was to get in and out, but more passengers are now embracing the idea of

‘slow travel’—and that starts at the terminal. "Some airports are genuinely worth arriving early for, and can feel like an extension of your holiday, not just the start of it. Article

continues below "Slow travel also means embracing and trying to enjoy every aspec,t be it pre-flight or post-flight in a vip airport transfer” Some of the best airports you need to

arrive early at: MUNICH AIRPORT (MUC), GERMANY “If you’re flying from Munich, don’t skip Airbräu—it’s the only full-scale brewery inside an airport anywhere in the world. You can have a

proper Bavarian beer brewed on-site, and there’s even a beer garden if the weather’s good. It’s one of the few places where arriving early really means something.” TOKYO HANEDA AIRPORT

(HND), JAPAN “Haneda is one of the best examples of modern meets traditional. The Edo Market area airside looks like a Japanese village, and the food is fantastic—ramen, yakitori, and sushi

that’s better than you’d expect at most city restaurants, let alone an airport.” SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT (SIN), SINGAPORE “Changi’s food courts are a dream for anyone chasing real Southeast

Asian street food. You can get laksa, chicken rice, kaya toast—all the local favourites, in a clean, easy-to-navigate setting. It’s also open 24/7, which is a huge bonus for layovers.” KOH

SAMUI AIRPORT (USM), THAILAND “Koh Samui is in a league of its own. The airport feels like a tropical resort—with thatched roofs, open-air terminals, and palm trees instead of concrete. It’s

the only airport I know where travellers actively want to spend time before flying. Even the check-in feels like part of the holiday.” DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DEN), USA “Denver might

surprise you. It’s one of the biggest airports in the U.S., but it’s also got real personality—think talking gargoyles, Western-themed art installations, and a huge outdoor plaza with

regular events. There’s even an indoor walking route if you want to stretch your legs before a long-haul.” INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ICN), SOUTH KOREA “Incheon doesn’t just tick

boxes—it adds entirely new ones. There’s a seasonal ice rink, regular cultural shows with traditional music and dance, and even craft workshops. If you’ve got a long layover or an early

check-in, it’s one of the few airports where you’ll genuinely be entertained.” BARRA AIRPORT (BRR), SCOTLAND “Barra is completely unique. It’s the only place in the world with scheduled

flights that land directly on the beach. There’s no rush, no crowds—just sand, sea, and a tiny terminal with a charm all of its own. It’s an experience you can’t really replicate anywhere

else.” WHY IT PAYS TO ARRIVE EARLY Smart travellers are planning ahead not just for flight delays—but for added experiences. SCS Chauffeurs recommends giving yourself an extra 60 to 90

minutes for airports with standout attractions, especially if you're flying long-haul or during peak times. Article continues below “People think early check-ins are about beating the

queues,” Hadleigh adds, “but they’re also about maximising your journey. When the airport becomes part of the trip, that time is well spent.” _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND STORIES FROM

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