DESTINATIONS AVIATION |HUB AIRPORTS
ABOVE: Waterfall in the Jewel complex at Singapore’s Changi Airport; Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam PICTURE: Shutterstock/
NataliaCatalina.com Hub airports are designed to
offer favourable flight connections, with landing and take-off slots for key route pairings synchronised to allow passengers time to move through the airport before boarding their next flight. Plus, if the two flights are booked on the same PNR, clients are protected in the case of delays or missed connections.
REST UP
Even if clients have only a couple of hours, agents can position it as a way to break up the journey and stretch the legs – particularly valuable for those travelling with children. Families can use quiet zones to chill out, while play areas encourage kids to burn off excess energy: Boston’s Logan International Airport even features Kidports, a fun-sized version of the airport environment, complete with foam play areas and slides. To add extra value to your pitch, brush up on entertainment and comfort facilities in the airports
44 20 NOVEMBER 2025
33Even if clients have only a couple of hours, agents can position it as a way to break up the journey and stretch the legs
you book most frequently. Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai entice with shopping and in-airport spas, while Singapore’s Changi excels with a rooftop pool, cinema and nature- themed Jewel complex. Mohamed Rafi Mar, UK and Ireland general manager of Singapore Airlines, says: “In Changi, indoor gardens, a butterfly sanctuary and the Rain Vortex – the world’s largest indoor waterfall – await.”
Adding lounge access can also
be a great upselling opportunity and a chance for clients to freshen up between long-haul legs. Matt Rushbrooke, commercial and product director at Inspiring Travel, says: “Lounges offer a peaceful escape from airport crowds, and can range from basic comfort to premium lounges that offer showers, nap rooms and daybeds. Find out guest requirements, such as how long a client wants to spend in the lounge, what type of drinks and food they are looking for and if they need access to a business room.”
Airside hotels and sleep pods
are also an option for longer connections. Frequently available by the hour, they provide a peaceful place to nap between flights without having to go through airport security or passport control.
Booking.com’s 2025 Travel Predictions research revealed that Gen Z and millennial travellers were particularly keen to spend on airport luxuries such as sleep pods, with more than a third expressing interest in the concept.
TWO FOR ONE
Connecting flights can help you add a bonus destination to your client’s trip, with airline stopover tours and accommodation programmes enabling those with more time to get out and explore the city. Here, agents are at an advantage, as booking stopovers independently can be confusing: customers need to search for eligible flights and, in some cases, apply for their hotel bookings via the airline. For agents, visiting an airline’s trade portal or signing
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travelweekly.co.uk
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