Latest news with #airporttheory
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Travelers warn about new viral airport trend after missing their flights
The 'airport theory' is the latest craze sweeping social media and it sees plane passengers challenge the conventional advice of arriving at the airport several hours before a flight but many passengers have missed their flights. The concept sees travelers arrive just 15 to 20 minutes before their scheduled boarding or departure time - using carry-on luggage and online check-in to their advantage - in the hope they can still make their flight. While some travelers have successfully boarded their flights using this method, others have been less successful and are now warning against the risk of relying on tight timing. In February, American TikTok user Tiffany, who goes by @momlifewithtiff, documented in a video the moment she and her husband almost missed their flight while taking on the challenge. In an accompanying caption, she wrote: 'Definitely do not recommend trying the airport theory. Will certainly be getting to the airport 2 hours early from now on.' Posting time stamps of the pair's dash to board from the gate at the very last few moments, she wrote at 7.59am: 'Been in line for a while already. Flight started boarding 11 minutes ago. We started asking people to let us go in front of them.' She noted that at 8.12am, she and her husband were 'last to board' the plane, and at 8.14am, they finally settled into their seats. Another TikTok user, Jenny, who goes by @jenny_kurtzz, took to the platform in February to share the less fortunate outcome of her attempt at the challenge. In a video that showed the moment she arrived at the gate, only to find that her flight had departed, she added in a caption: 'For those of you thinking about testing out the airport theory - don't. Missed my flight.' Nicole Campoy Jackson, a travel advisor at Fora Travel, told People in April that the airport theory is a gamble not worth taking. She said: 'It only takes one stressful missed flight for you to realize this trend is pointlessly risky. The easiest way to guarantee you'll eventually miss a flight is to rely on this 'theory.' On TikTok, hundreds of commenters shared their views below Jenny and Tiffany's videos, with passengers appearing to show support for the trend as it would ultimately enable them to 'fly for free'. One person wrote: 'As a flight attendant who only flies for free when there's space available, thank you.' Another commented, 'Keep that trend going! I love the empty seats,' as a third added, 'As someone who flies standby, hell yeah let's keep this trend GOING.' Flying 'standby' means a passenger is on a list to potentially board a flight without a confirmed seat, hoping to fill any empty seats after all ticketed passengers have boarded. It's a gamble as passengers are not guaranteed seats and are essentially waiting to see if space becomes available - meaning passengers who miss their flights due to participating in the airport theory trend are freeing up seats for those on the list. However, many other viewers condemned the challenge, as one quipped: 'So [the airport theory] is just fancy talk for having no time management.' Another wrote: 'My father was a pilot for 27 years. The airport theory is a myth every time. 'You may get lucky with a fluke that left you waiting but I promise 90% of the time you will miss your flight.' A third said: 'The 'airport theory' literally only works for SMALL airports. I live in the Midwest I can go an hour or so before my flight but places like Miami, Houston, pls get there 2-3 hours early.'
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Travellers issued warning over risky airport 'theory' trend that is making people miss flights
Plane passengers have been warned to avoid participating in the viral 'airport theory' trend as dozens of travellers report arriving at the gate to find they've missed their flights. The 'airport theory' is the latest craze sweeping social media, particularly on TikTok, which sees plane passengers challenge the conventional advice of arriving at the airport several hours before a flight. The concept sees travellers arrive just 15 to 20 minutes before their scheduled boarding or departure time - using carry-on luggage and online check-in to their advantage - in the hope they can still make their flight. In recent months, hundreds of social media users have posted videos of their attempts to make it through the airport in a short timeframe. While some travellers have successfully boarded their flights airports using this method, others have been less successful and are now warning against the risk of relying on tight timing. In February, American TikTok user Tiffany, who goes by @momlifewithtiff, documented in a video the moment she and her husband almost missed their flight while taking on the challenge. In an accompanying caption, she wrote: 'Definitely do not recommend trying the airport theory. Will certainly be getting to the airport 2 hours early from now on.' Posting time stamps of the pair's dash to board from the gate at the very last few moments, she wrote at 7.59am: 'Been in line for a while already. Flight started boarding 11 minutes ago. We started asking people to let us go in front of them.' She noted that at 8.12am, she and her husband were 'last to board' the plane, and at 8.14am, they finally settled into their seats. Another TikTok user, Jenny, who goes by @jenny_kurtzz, took to the platform in February to share the less fortunate outcome of her attempt at the challenge. In a video that showed the moment she arrived at the gate, only to find that her flight had departed, she added in a caption: 'For those of you thinking about testing out the airport theory - don't. Missed my flight.' Nicole Campoy Jackson, a travel advisor at Fora Travel, told People in April that the airport theory is a gamble not worth taking. She said: 'It only takes one stressful missed flight for you to realise this trend is pointlessly risky. The easiest way to guarantee you'll eventually miss a flight is to rely on this 'theory.' On TikTok, hundreds of commenters shared their views below Jenny and Tiffany's videos, with passengers appearing to show support for the trend as it would ultimately enable them to 'fly for free.' One person wrote: 'As a flight attendant who only flies for free when there's space available, thank you.' Another commented, 'Keep that trend going! I love the empty seats,' as a third added, 'As someone who flies standby, hell yeah let's keep this trend GOING.' On TikTok, hundreds of commenters shared their views below Jenny and Tiffany's videos, with passengers appearing to show support for the trend as it would ultimately enable them to 'fly for free' Flying 'standby' means a passenger is on a list to potentially board a flight without a confirmed seat, hoping to fill any empty seats after all ticketed passengers have boarded. It's a gamble as passengers are not guaranteed seats and are essentially waiting to see if space becomes available - meaning passengers who miss their flights due to participating in the airport theory trend are freeing up seats for those on the list. However, many other viewers condemned the challenge, as one quipped: 'So [the airport theory] is just fancy talk for having no time management.' Another wrote: 'My father was a pilot for 27 years. The airport theory is a myth every time. 'You may get lucky with a fluke that left you waiting but I promise 90% of the time you will miss your flight.' A third said: 'The 'airport theory' literally only works for SMALL airports. I live in the Midwest I can go an hour or so before my flight but places like Miami, Houston, pls get there 2-3 hours early.'
Khaleej Times
02-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Leaving home 30 mins before flight? Some travellers try viral airport theory
Dubai resident Mansoor Ali has been to 60 countries and there is one thing he absolutely dislikes about travelling — getting to the airport three hours prior to check-in. The 50-year-old has often arrived at the check-in gate of airports across the world, sometimes with just 30 minutes to spare before the flight's departure and still made it to the plane on time. He claims to be one of the early adopters of a new viral trend on social media called airport theory. The theory, which has been trending worldwide, argues that travellers can get through airport security to their boarding gate in just 15 minutes and that there is no need to arrive at the airport three hours ahead, as usually recommended. There are thousands of videos on several social media platforms of travellers testing out the theory at various airports. 'I have had security officers jog with me to the door of the plane so that I could catch my flight,' said Mansoor. 'I just think it is unnecessary to arrive hours early to the airport. I usually check in online and carry only my hand luggage. Sometimes, I travel alone, but mostly it is with my wife and three children. Despite arriving so late, I have only missed two flights in the last 10 years of my travel." "Nowadays, I arrive a little early just so that I can enjoy some time in the lounge. Otherwise, I still believe you need minimal time to get through the airport. However, it also depends upon how much rush there in the airport, especially in holiday season.' On Tuesday, Dubai Airport (DXB) issued a cheeky video about the trend asking why risk a missed flight when they can enjoy a matcha at the gate instead. Last week, Emirates Airlines had issued an advisory asking people to arrive three hours early during peak travel times to factor in traffic and huge crowds. Over the last few weeks, the region has seen multiple delayed and cancelled flights due to multiple reasons and travel agents have advised flyers to check their flight statuses and arrive early to avoid nasty surprises. Risky behaviour However, some Gen-Z travellers refused to buy into the trend. Emirati Hind Hassan says she likes to arrive at the airport much ahead of schedule, sometimes even four hours prior to departure. 'I have always arrived at the airport extra early in case of unforeseen incidents that may cause delays,' she said. 'Arriving early calms me down and I love sitting in the airport waiting lounge, watching people pass by and airplanes take off and land. Why would anyone want to arrive 20 minutes before boarding just to rush and stress for no reason?' The 22-year-old said the trend was 'a risky practice' and she could not understand why people would do it. 'It encourages people to arrive a mere few minutes before boarding. No one can predict what can happen during those moments prior to arriving at the airport, and any delay can cost you a missed flight, and a lot of money.' Trying it out Dubai-based Tiktoker Suwaj Giri said he inadvertently tested the theory when he was returning from his home country of Nepal to the UAE earlier this year. 'I was early, but at the check-in counter I was informed that the boarding was about to close,' he recalled. 'I ran through the airport and got the gate in less than 15 minutes.' He said he wants to try it out when he travels again later this year, but everything depended on the airport. 'For example, if you are travelling out of Terminal 2, it will be a breeze to get to the gate in 15 minutes,' he said. 'But if you are flying from Terminal 3, you need 45 minutes to just navigate the airport. However, I am curious about the trend and will definitely be trying it out when I travel next.'
The Independent
20-06-2025
- The Independent
When should you arrive at the airport? Our travel team reveal how long they leave (without missing a flight)
Last year, we had gate lice, raw dogging and the check-in chicken – but now the latest travel trend is testing the limits of airport arrival times. 'Airport theory' is a TikTok trend where people attempt to whizz through check-in, bag drop and security with just 15 minutes to spare before boarding their flight. The 'theory' suggests that traditional timeframes to get from the terminal to aircraft doors see travellers waste unnecessary hours hanging around. But does a short dash through the terminal save precious packing time, or is the trend pointlessly risking a missed flight? Here's how far ahead the frequent flyers of our travel team rock up to the terminal, from allowing plenty of time for a Pret to cutting it fine in the security line. Just in time Unless you miss the odd flight, you are spending too long at airports. Obviously, though, missing a flight is annoying and expensive. So I work out the last train that will get me to the airport before the check-in deadline, then take the one before to allow some recovery time. Typically I will reach the airport with 10-15 minutes to spare. But if trains are disrupted, it can be close. Last year going to Kathmandu on Qatar Airways from Gatwick, I reached the check-in desk (physically the furthest possible location from the airport rail station) with three minutes to spare before the one-hour check-in deadline expired. On occasion, I hitchhike to the airport, most recently to Glasgow, but that really does inject uncertainty. – Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent Planned ahead This trend makes my skin prickle. Despite flying relatively frequently for work, I still get stressed about my journey to the airport. I like to allow at least two hours for flights to Europe and three-and-a-half if I'm flying internationally. The process is undoubtedly smoother than it used to be, and I recently flew Ryanair where even checking in my bag was done by a machine, but it's the fear of the unknown that gets to me. Traffic/rail delays/long queues/etc. I plan my journey at least a week in advance and get there early enough to sit smugly with a coffee as I watch the panicky last-minute travellers arriving flustered at the gate. – Emilee Tombs, Assistant Travel Editor As little airport as possible While I don't mind flying, I'm not a fan of airports. As with other forms of public transport, I always seem to be in painfully close proximity to the person conducting an extended phone conversation on loudspeaker with zero consideration for those around them, children sans headphones blasting Bluey from tablets, and passengers of all ages scrolling through social media at volume (yes, I AM fun at parties). Hanging around a crammed departures lounge with irritable, exhausted and anxious fellow passengers, paying £7 for a substandard Pret sandwich and trying and failing to navigate the world's narrowest aisles in Boots with a wheelie in tow is far from a vibe. For this reason, my aim is to spend as little time as possible at the airport without running the risk of actually missing my flight – but I'm reasonably conservative when it comes to timings. For short-haul flights, 90 minutes seems more than reasonable, while for long-haul flights, I'll stretch to two hours at a push. If I'm travelling during a peak time, such as school holidays, I might reluctantly allow myself an additional 30 minutes, but anything more than two and a half hours seems deranged. I haven't missed a flight yet. – Joanna Whitehead, Travel Writer Somewhere in the middle The cavalier attitude I used to display towards airport arrivals has been replaced with something rather more cautious after a couple of near-misses – yet you'll rarely catch me at an airport much more than two hours before my flight departs. Even at the fanciest terminals, I have no desire to spend more time at the airport than is absolutely necessary. If I have lounge access, I may arrive 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of departure, but I'd still rather be at home than even the nicest parts of Gatwick or Heathrow. Something between 90 minutes and two hours feels about right - enough time to nip into Pret, but not quite enough for a Wetherspoons breakfast. – Annabel Grossman, Global Travel Editor With time for a Wetherspoons If I am truly honest, I am not always a punctual person. However, my airport arrival time may be the exception to my 'running five minutes late' lifestyle. Not because I fear missing a flight, or because my flatmate has again lied to me about what time we actually need to be somewhere, but – as cruisers claim that the holiday starts when they step onboard – I am firmly of the belief that a holiday starts with spending an extortionate amount on a flute of fizz in an airport's Spoons-esque establishment. For this recreational reason, I am loyal to the general guidelines and tend to allow at least two hours to get to the gate, peruse Duty-Free and down a prosecco. – Natalie Wilson, Travel Writer By the book When it comes to airport punctuality, I'm strictly by the book. I know this because my partner's approach of arriving at the last minute leaves me cold with dread. So if the recommended time to check in is three hours before the flight departs, that's when I try to turn up, with perhaps even a cheeky 15-minute buffer thrown in on top of that. And when the gate is shown, I'll head to the gate. My partner? That's her cue to buy a new pair of sunglasses and a couple of coffees. – Ted Thornhill, US Travel Editor There's time to spare As a self-confessed over-organiser whose stress levels skyrocket whenever I am late, I could never take part in the airport theory trend. I tend to arrive at the airport at least three hours before a flight departs. While baggage drop and security never take up copious amounts of time, I always allocate over an hour or so in case of any wild airport queues or chaos fuelled by short staff or system failures. I would rather have hours sampling Duty Free perfume or sitting down for a drink and something to eat than sprinting through the concourse. I apply this to arriving at the gate too; as soon as my gate number is announced on the information screen, I am immediately on my way there. Gate staff sometimes crack on with loading passengers straight away, and being first at the gate can sometimes result in boarding before most, grabbing the all-important cabin bag space in the lockers and relaxing while everyone else gets impatient waiting for others to sit down so they can move up the aisle. – Amelia Neath, Travel Writer Two hours – no more, no less I'm a big fan of arriving two hours early as I fear missing the plane and like time for a pre-flight pint. That timing is probably pretty standard, but I also do that for long haul where I think the recommendation is three, so I guess I'm a bit brave. The thought of arriving 15 minutes before strikes fear into my bones! – Marc Shoffman, cruise writer Most airports recommend allowing two to three hours to check in and get through security before your scheduled flight time. In the UK, London Gatwick says: 'Generally we recommend you arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of time.' The Crawley aviation hub advises that check-in opens 'around three hours' before the departure of long-haul flights. Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, says: 'We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.' Airlines tend to echo the two-hour guidance, with Ryanair passengers told to 'arrive at the check-in or bag drop desk at least 2 hours before they are due to fly'. Simon Calder's top tips To reduce the amount of time you need to allow: eliminate all the uncertainties you can, then build in a bit of padding. Choose public transport to the airport, ideally on rails rather than road, which runs to a published schedule. No luggage to check in. You don't need it, you won't have to allow extra time for an indeterminate wait at bag drop, and by taking carry-on only you also eliminate the risk that your case will go off on its own little holiday. Check-in online, print out your boarding pass (or save it to your smartphone) and you can head straight for the joy of the security queue.
