The airport is already a fairly stressful place, between the crowds of travelers, safety checks and the risk of losing flight. Yet, a viral trend on Tiktok, known as “Airport Theory”suggests embracing the chaos of the airport experience. According to those who promote it, they would be enough 15 or 20 minutes before departure To overcome the checks and reach the gate in time.
The idea may seem tempting, but experts warn: rely on “Airport Theory” It is a bad strategy.
Because “Airport Theory” does not work in most airports
Even in the best conditions, 20 minutes are rarely sufficient To cross the airport and climb the plane. According to a Wired report, in 2024 the average waiting time for security checks in the United States was over 27 minutes. In large international airports, such as Hartsfield-Jackson of Atlanta or Dallas/Fort Worthexpectations can be even longer.
Relying on “Airport Theory” means hoping for luck: if even a single unexpected occurs, the risk of losing the flight is very high. In addition, this behavior is not only stressful for the traveler, but also for airport staff. Cory Bengtzen, CEO and SkyShare driverexplained to TODAY That those who lose the plane puts Gate’s agents in difficulty, forcing them to find alternative solutions to resume the flight.
How long before you have to get to the airport?
General Guidelines advise to present themselves at the airport At least two hours before a national flight and three hours before an international one. However, those who travel light, without luggage to be boarded and with Tsa Precheck It could have a little more margin, especially in smaller airports.
But then, why did “Airport Theory” have so much success online? Second Eric Napoli, Airhelp Chief Legal Officermany passengers want to reduce the time spent at the airport and avoid long expectations. However, the numerous videos on Tiktok of people who have lost flight show that this method is far from reliable.
Rather than risking staying on the ground, there are more effective solutions to make the passage to the airport faster and stressless. For example, Some airports allow you to book a seat for safety checks for freereducing waiting times. Also, invest in smart travel accessorieslike a Organized document door or a Beauty Travel Houses approved for controlscan make a big difference.
@thetravelingray Based on 3 Painful Years of Traveling> 200 Days a Year … #AirportLife #traveltiktok #frequentflyer
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