While you wait

Last weekend, British Airways announced it was to increase its minimum connection times at Heathrow because of the increase in security measures. It is the latest in a long line of changes that has seen more and more business travellers spending more and more of their valuable time sitting and standing around at the world’s busiest international airport. We look at some of the best things to do to relieve your boredom.

The lounge

This is a bit obvious really. If you’re travelling up the front on the plane on a BA flight, you’ll be able to use the Terraces Lounges at terminals one and four. To soothe away the stress of the waiting, book in for a shiatswe massage at the lounge’s Molton Brown travel spa. If you can’t get in there, pay £20 to get into the Holideck lounge by gate 17 and work your frustrations off with a Playstation session.

Go gastro

This terminal 1 gastropub marked the start of a new direction in airport food and drink when it was opened by Geronimo Inns, the company behind Battersea’s popular Duke of Cambridge, in 2005. No longer were you forced to go to those dark, smoke-filled and slightly scary pubs that airports seem to offer until that point. This is bright, airy and serves good beer and food. You’ll find things like lamb burger with chunky chips and mint mayo (£7.50) on the menu.

Buy some smalls

Agent Provocateur, famous for its skimpy lingerie, has a branch at terminal 4 and its conveniently positioned on the right just after the exit form the Fast Track channel through customs. When else do you get to have so much time looking for something for yourself or your partner. Best of all, the prices are tax-free.

Catch up on your nicotine…

Since 1 July, Heathrow’s terminal buildings, along with England’s other workplaces, have gone smoke-free. This means you can only smoke in designated areas outside the building . If you are transiting through Heathrow, you can no longer grab a crafty fagot tide you over till you get to your final destination. The best alternative is to nip to Boots and buy yourself some nicotine patches. Only then should you think about entering The Cigar House to buy some cohibas.

Swot up on required reading

Pop into Borders and catch up on your essential reading. You know you should have read Freakonomics, The God Delusion and A History of Modern Britain but can you really bother ploughing through them all. Rather than actually reading them, take an hour to look at them in Borders, reading the first chapter and the last page in each. It’s probably as much as your colleagues have done and you’ll be able to bluff with them convincingly as a result.

Socialise

If you’re stuck in a queue, at least you can tell your social network all about it. On Facebook, you’ll need to have registered your mobile phone number on your profile. Then, when you’re at the airport, all you need to do is text ‘I am’ followed by what you are doing to the number 32665 (FBOOK on your keypad). So. I am waiting in a queue. I am still waiting in a queue. I am sure I’m going to miss my plane. I am finally at security. I am being hussled away by customs officers for using my pho…

Get out of the airport

Use internet check in and DIY boarding pass technology to avoid getting to the airport too early. Failing that, check in well in advance but then leave the airport, at least for a while. One of the most interesting things in the area around Heathrow is the Grade-I listed Harmondsworth Tithe Barn, a five minute taxi ride away. It was built in the 1400s and is one of the largest remaining tithe barns in Britain. It may have to be moved if Heathrow’s third runway gets built so visit it now.