Instead of canceling flights this summer due to bad weather, the FAA says the airlines will simply delay them. And the government predicts long delays will get worse before they get better. Our Savvy Traveler, Rudy Maxa, says he doesn't necessarily mind hanging out at airports.

Large airports are becoming more and more like small cities. You can get a lot done there. Get a haircut, visit a post office, get a massage, and, of course, shop for just about anything.

Some airports have full-service casinos. Last year, my flight was delayed in Las Vegas. I sat down at an airport slot machine and eventually hit a $2,100 jackpot.

Now, I'm not recommending this--the slots at the Vegas airport are generally considered to be the tightest in town. And there are other things you could be doing . . . like . . . working out.

Go to www.airportgyms.com. A graphic designer created the site to direct passengers to any airport's nearest gym because he didn't like hanging out in the airport bar when his flight was delayed.

Some hotels sell day passes for between $5 and $15 to airport passengers who want to pump iron or take a swim. The Boston Hilton will even sell you a disposable swimsuit for $12.

I went online and found an airport gym near the Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport. I found out that a free shuttle can take me to a health club at the nearby Holiday Inn where a day pass costs about eight bucks.

Airports and nearby gyms aren't the only ones capitalizing on impending flight delays. The airlines know it, too, and they're hoping to win business in spite of it. Yesterday, United Airlines announced it will give 500 frequent flyer miles to passengers on any flight that's late by more than 30 minutes between its hub in Chicago and seven other major destinations, including New York and Boston.

Is there anything better than earning miles while working out? Well, a couple thousand from a slot maching isn't bad. Or how about this? If you get stuck for a few hours at Abu Dhabi's airport, you can play golf on the world's only all-sand golf course. Rental clubs available.

From Saint Paul, I'm Rudy Maxa for Marketplace.

June 15, 2005