My wife and younger daughter were supposed to fly back to Houston from New York today, but God had other plans. A big storm screwed up the Newark airport and by the time United would admit their flight was canceled all the hotels around there were booked up.
Enter https://www.sleepinginairports.net/ covering the specific rules, regulations, tips, and secret work-arounds to sleeping in major airports around the world. Turns out that the Newark airport gets screwed up so often, they now have a bunch of cots they'll lend travelers stuck there overnight and people flying United even get access to showers!
I used to travel a lot in my previous jobs and got stuck a number of times. One thing I now always bring with me is a lightweight, microfiber, travel blanket that scrunches down to about the soda can. https://amzn.to/3ik6vMd
-Blast
Thanks Blast, once we get past the pandemic that might be quite useful :)
My job takes me transatlantic 2-3 times a year, usually involving transfers at one or two US hub airports and rarely travelling enough miles to get free lounge access. Every couple of years something will go awry and I'll end up with an extended stay in an airport; one time that sticks in my mind, I arrived in CLT and the aircraft I was hoping to board was somewhere in Canada ...
I too pack a blanket. Mine's fleece so not quite as compact asyour recommended one, and not as high-performance either.
A towel is good, a blanket is even better. ;)
Being a long time road-and-air warrior, I'm going to follow this up with an almost complete guide to sleeping free while traveling.
-Blast
I always carry a RON kit -started in my USAF days. RON - remain overnoght
Change of drawers, washcloth, hand towel (works the same on smaller) disposable razor, small bar of hand soap.
Windshield shade (foiled bubblewrap) and a cozy long enuf that it covers from shoulders to just below hips, and when on my side, covers me floor to floor. Made of salvaged wool blanket with flannel on one side. Book. Small all band radio (ICOM R5) , headlamp. Foam earplugs.
All goes in the carryon bag with enough chow for 24 hours. Bag is pillow. Jacket covers legs.
I have to fly thru SEATAC or Portland in/out of AK. Alaska Airlines sucks so bad, it is common to have a 12+ hr/overnight wait between planes. So, I can rack out in a corner somewhere and get in some Zs.
When I travel commercial I avoid any check in bags if at all possible. I try to carry everything in a maximum permissible size roller bag. I can assuming no suit & tie is needed get 3 days of clothing as well as spare shoes into the bag. That and $10 of quarters for a hotel washer & dryer and I am good for a week.
Getting stuck in an airport is absolutely miserable. If the hotels are booked try to purchase a one time access to the frequent flyers club. It is not cheap but it is less than a hotel and does provide some privacy and amenities like showers.
BTW I have had my carry on bag "misplaced" the plane was full and the overhead bins chock a block full and they required me to gate check my bag since it did not fit under the seat. Yep it missed the flight.