Will these tiny pods replace airport lounges?

A "work pod" definitely sounds less exciting than a traditional airport lounge — I'm not sure whether it's the lack of free drinks, or just the general feeling of claustrophobia that sets in when even reading the term "pod," but sitting in tiny enclosed space waiting for a flight doesn't seem like it will make the already trying airport experience better.

International workspace providers Regus disagrees, believing word pods are a viable alternative to traditional lounges. The company has already installed two at London's Gatwick airport with plans to expand in the not-too-distant future. Apparently, if you can get over the claustrophobia, a drink-free environment is a good thing for personal productivity.

The pods feature many of the same benefits of the private workstations that populate the average airline lounge, except with actual privacy — there's no dude precariously balancing a stack of individually wrapped cheese and a glass of wine on top of his laptop case while simultaneously trying to drag his overstuffed roll-aboard behind you as you try to get some work done in a small semi-private cube.

In addition to the complete privacy, the Workpods have a generous desk, ergonomic chair, Wi-Fi, printing, a telephone with free UK calls, a computer screen, power plugs and mobile chargers.

The cost of £10 plus tax per half hour is a bit steep, especially when compared to an airport lounge. The value really comes down to how long you need to work for and how long it takes before you feel like the walls are starting to cave in. If you have a four-hour layover, a lounge definitely makes more sense. But if you only need to bang out a few last-minute details before a long-haul flight, this is a more affordable option.