How to make the most of a delayed flight

Airports have started to cater to travelers spending multiple hours waiting for their flights. For example, major airports offer massage treatments and spas for those looking to unwind before a long flight. Many offer nail salons and beauty parlors that allow people to treat themselves instead of sitting at their gates for several hours.

Are you on business travel? First-class business lounges are also an option at a price. For many frequent flyers, joining an airline's VIP club is worth the expense. A lot of these lounges feature luxury bars, free Internet, showers, places to rest and other sources of entertainment like pool tables and televisions to pass the time.

Business Insider recommended that business travelers consider looking into the VIP lounge offered by Qatar Airways. At the premium terminal at the Doha International Airport in Qatar, you can snack on gourmet meals, including top-of-the-line sushi platters and buffets. Travelers will also find a dessert bar and massage chairs for the ultimate pampering experience. Similarly, the Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse in New York features a bar, a snack room and even complementary pajamas to ensure you're fully relaxed.

If your delay has lasted for several hours, this is considered a major inconvenience by most airlines. Although they don't technically owe you anything, most of them will provide perks like meal vouchers for their passengers, according to USA Today. It's always worth asking representatives at your airline's counter to see if they will compensate you in some way. It's also smart to determine the cause of the delay, as this will give you a better idea of how much longer you'll have to wait. If the cause is something related to your plane or your airline in particular, it may be worth it to ask your carrier to book you for an alternative flight at the same price.

Whether you completely forgot or didn't find anything you liked while on your trip, the airport is the perfect place to grab last-minute souvenirs. Although they may be more pricey than they would have been at a local shop, airport stores often know what kind of souvenirs travelers like to bring home and make a point to sell them. The only downside is you can't get anything breakable, unless your suitcase is small enough to fit in your seating area with you so you can ensure it won't break.

It may even be worth it to check out the airport's vending machines. CNN noted that many of the world's largest airports have introduced vending machines that dispense some unique items. The source explained that there are machines in airports in the United Arab Emirates that allow you to purchase gold nuggets. There are also vending machines that provide you with travel essentials you may have forgotten. Many airports across the world offer everything from headphones to snacks and hand-sanitizers so you can grab all of your last-minute products for your journey.