Air travel is one of the more stressful, time-consuming experiences that we’re all forced to endure, and there’s nothing worse than sitting around, bored and irritated at the airport, dealing with flight delays. You can only stare at your phone for so long, so we’ve come up with a few tips for folks stuck at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for a bit longer than expected. 

Chill at the open bar in the Escape Lounge

Somewhere between your typical airport bar and a pretty nice hotel lobby, everything at the Escape Lounge seems tailor-made for the professional traveller. A $40 entry fee gets you access to business-y stuff like free wifi, print and copy service, and a library of digital magazines and newspapers, but the real benefit at Escape Lounge is the complementary food. They offer a constantly replenished selection of both light and hearty dishes, from soups and salads to braised short ribs and pan seared miso salmon. What goes better with surprisingly high quality airport food than an open bar? Expect a small but varied selection of totally free wine, beer, and liquor, plus plenty of premium beverages available for a slight uncharge. $40-$45; 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Terminal 4; escapelounges.com // @escapeloungesus

Explore the Airport Museum collection

The Sky Harbor’s airport art collection showcases contemporary art from Arizona-based artists in locations throughout the building, from site specific installations and permanent displays to rotating pop up exhibitions. In the rental car center, take in the massive triptych, The Phoenix by Paul Coze, perhaps the most recognizable and well-known piece in their inventory, and the striking array of Jun Kaneko’s Dangos, vibrant abstract sculptures that are up to 13 feet high. Terminal Three features a gorgeous stained glass mural by Phoenix-based artisan Ken Toney, as well as a rotating display of new work by local artists at the Artist Spotlight area. If you’ve got some extra time, stroll through the eye-popping outdoor sculpture garden, before heading back inside to Terminal Four where you’ll find a dedicated gallery space. Terminal Four is also home to Daniel Mayer’s Trace Elements, a pair of large glass murals that make the trip to the Sky Train Station an unforgettable experience. skyharbor.com // @phxskyharbor

Unwind at the Xpress Spa

Few things are more stressful than dealing with the inconveniences of air travel. When things get really tense, relieve some of that stress with a quick visit to the Xpress spa, where you can get a variety of site-specific massages, including neck & back, hand & arm, and foot massages, as well as a more varied tension relief massage, all of which can be done in under 30 minutes. Pamper yourself further with a relaxing manicure, upgraded packages include a hydrating mask, exfoliation, and a moisturizing hand and arm massage. If you’ve really got some to spare, take a trip into virtual reality with a WR relaxation experience, where you lie down and strap on an Oculus Rift headset and explore chill environments like beaches and outer space. xpresspa.com // @xpresspa