Travel Flow
We live on the move. As do you.
Tips and tricks from all of us, for all of us, for reducing travel friction and optimizing experiences out there.
(don’t share this too widely)
Airport Hotels: If you have a really early flight, the CitizenM right by the terminal is fun. If you have a layover and want to stay airside of security you can stay at the Accor Mercure or YOTEL.
Layovers: If you have time, go into the city. It’s an easy 20-30 minute direct train. Walk out of Central Station. Turn left if you want to see drunk/high Brits, Danes, and Germans roaming red-light districts, or lean right and you’ll hit the Jordaan district where you’ll find Dutch people being Dutch.
Meeting Spaces: Zoku is a hybrid apartment, social club, and meeting space. We hosted a leadership crew from Lufthansa Group in the rooftop space - it was perfect for innovation and collaboration-style gatherings.
Showers/Sleep: The KLM Crown Lounge has showers and sleep cabins but it uses a booking system. Find a terminal when you get in the club, then sign up for your slot as soon as you arrive. You will receive a code via email to access your shower cubicle.
Airport Hotels: There’s a cluster of hotels located on the SkyTrain line. Follow signs to Shuttles, taking the crosswalk to SkyTrain, go up to floor 2 via elevator, and take the SkyTrain to the Gateway Hotels stop, which is also the stop for the Convention Center. The train comes every few minutes and avoids a shuttle bus.
Showers: The Delta Sky Club in Terminal F has a suite of showers hidden at the back of the club. Great for when you’re inbound on a red-eye or if you’re changing planes early in the morning and need to shower over breakfast.
Airport Hotels: For the swiftest meetings and sleep, the Westin is built into the Delta terminal. It even has it’s own TSA line so getting back into the terminal is a breeze.
Hotels: If you’re heading into the city, Shinola Hotel is one of our favorite boutique hotels.
For Your Soul: To be inspired by how Detroit is reinventing itself, drop by the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative. There’s no better place to pick up your next great read than John K. King Books. Got a sweet tooth? Bon Bon Bon is the answer.
Airport Hotels: The Hyatt Regency is walkable from the airport. Just walk to Southwest Airlines at Terminal 1, keep walking out of the airport, and you’ll hit it. The hotel is simple but worth it for the walk for dawn flights out of LAX.
Arrivals: If arriving with the right ticket/status on Virgin/Delta, don’t miss the Virgin Arrivals Lounge after customs - it’s tucked away on the 1st floor (2nd floor in American English). Minimally designed, it’s a great spot for showers and breakfast.
Airport Hotels: If you’re not going into the city (which you should) and are tight on time, the Sofitel is in Terminal 5, Hilton in Terminal 4, and Hilton Garden Inn in Terminal 2/3. Aerotel in Terminal 3 allows you to rent a room hourly.
Departures: Virgin/Delta: if you’re flying right class/status, look for the lift/elevator that takes you to Upper-Class Security, which can save you an hour on the regular lines.
Logistics: Elizabeth Line, Elizabeth Line, Elizabeth Line. Cheap and takes you right across the city.
Airport Hotels: TWA Hotel is fun and right at the airport. Just take AirTran to JetBlue Terminal and walk from there. The hotel offers overnight stays as well as Daytripper rates of four hours or more if you need to rest your head.
Logistics: Skip the road chaos. Take the train to and from Penn Station or the new Grand Central to the Madison Concourse LIRR to Jamaica and switch to the AirTrain. Use the MTA app to buy LIRR tickets and easily activate on board. The AirTrain now accepts mobile pay, for a quick transaction.
Secret Bar: If you’re flying Delta and have a qualifying Amex card, the Centurion Club has a hidden bar with pretty good cocktail service in the basement - just walk past the food service area and go through the unmarked door.
Security: If flying from Terminal 4 (Delta/Virgin/Singapore/Emirates) and are checked in, don’t go to Departures. Go downstairs to Arrivals, walk to the far right as you look at the terminal, and you’ll find a small TSA PreCheck and Clear station that often has very short lines. You’ll also walk straight into the middle gates, reducing some of the walk time.