Play Tennis, Fly A Delta Simulator Or Visit Champagne On Your Next Layover

Forbes

2 days ago

Delta's refreshed Flight Museum
A long layover doesn't have to mean interminable hours in an airport, rather it can be an opportunity to explore something new while on your way to somewhere else. There are several airports that offer really exciting experiences that can be done and dusted over the course of a long layover. Budget an hour or less for travel time to and from each experience and you can squeeze in a chance to fly a 737 Delta simulator, dine at one of the newest restaurants in Champagne or take a tennis lesson from a coach to the champions. Read on for the details:
More than one flyer has been stranded with hours to kill at the world's busiest airport. Now, they can pop over (a short ten minute taxi ride) to the newly renovated and expanded Delta Flight Museum. It's an aviation geek's dream—but equally perfect for kids as well as fashionistas who will love the wall of flight attendant uniform styles. Guests can even book time in a Boeing 737-200 full motion flight simulator for a true thrill. Be sure to reserve simulator time in advance, it's a popular offering, and expect to pay $460 for a group of four or less people.
Delta also just unveiled a swanky new lounge on Concourse D—It's a sprawling setup (the largest lounge in Atlanta) with panoramic airfield views, several buffet stations and plenty of places to cozy up with your laptop and get work done or dream about your next trip.
Polychrome Restaurant at Champagne Taittinger in Reims
Reims is a short one-hour train ride from the airport station (no stops) and can take travelers into Champagne's beating heart, the small city of Reims. Here you can visit the newly minted Polychrome Restaurant at Champagne Taittinger. The brand recently revamped the visitor experience so be sure to book a tour and visit of their beautiful ancient chalk caves before making a final stop at the city's Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral to see the Marc Chagall stained glass mural. The train can get your back to CDG in time for your next flight.
Tennis lovers need just 20 minutes to get to the newly opened Patrick Mouratoglou Tennis Center at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. Open to anyone, tennis players can book lessons with coaches trained in Mouratoglou's legendary method (he has coached Serena Williams, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitsipas). Mouratoglou's Methodology is based on the idea that every individual is unique and uses customization to adapt to each player's needs. This hyper-personalized approach to teaching is a tennis geek's dream. On the return trip, swing by Norman Love Chocolatier (which is just down the road from the airport) and stock up on a selection of his amazing truffles.