KNOWING when you need to arrive at the airport can be difficult, with airlines and airports often offering different advice.
A new viral trend on TikTok has seen some passengers arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before their flight is due to leave.
A new viral trend on TikTok has seen some passengers arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before their flight is due to leave (stock image)[/caption]
The trend has seen some passengers make their flight, while others have missed theirs (stock image)[/caption]
The ‘airport theory’ videos have racked up over 400million views, with passengers arriving minutes before their flight.
While some passengers have breezed through security and arrived at their gate in under eight minutes, others have missed their flights because of the social media gamble.
Most airports and airlines encourage passengers to arrive three hours before long-haul flights and two hours before short-haul flights.
In light of the huge TikTok trend, aviation experts are encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport hours before their scheduled departure.
Amanda Parker at Netflights recently issued a warning to holidaymakers.
She said: “While some participants may have found success with the [Airport] theory, the trend largely depends on variable factors like queue times and the distance to your gate, which can differ depending on the airport and the time of your flight.
“Additionally, boarding typically begins 45 minutes before departure, which is half an hour earlier than the 15 minutes suggested in ‘Airport Theory,’ further emphasising the risks of following this trend.
“To ensure you have enough time to comfortably catch your flight and avoid missing out on your holiday, we recommend that UK travellers check in at least three hours before departure for long haul flights, two hours for European flights, and 1 hour for domestic flights.
“With all this in mind, we strongly advise against participating in this trend.”
Airlines across the UK and Europe have different guidance on how early people should arrive before their planes are due to depart.
Usually, passengers are told to check in two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before international.
Passengers are sometimes asked to arrive even earlier; holidaymakers at Birmingham Airport were told to arrive four hours before their flights last summer.
Holidaymakers were previously told to arrive even earlier during the summer holidays because of the lengthier queues.
Travel expert Stefanie Waldek issued this warning last summer, writing in Travel + Leisure: “If you’re traveling over the holidays, over a school break, or in the summer, get to the airport even earlier than you normally would, as there will likely be long lines everywhere.”
Despite the guidance, there are some passengers who avoid arriving at the airport early in a bid to avoid spending money.
This is because airports are deliberately designed to encourage holidaymakers to spend their cash, especially when passengers have some time to kill.
Industry experts often refer to the free time between security and boarding as ‘golden hour’.
Airport guru Holly Buckner coined the term, which sees passengers more willing to part with their cash before flying.
During this time, travellers are likely to spend money on food and drink, including paying for a full English breakfast and an alcoholic drink on a weekday morning.
And the prices of airport meals are often inflated, which means they cost more than their high-street counterparts.
The Sun’s Lisa Minot weighs in on the holiday gamble
THE Sun’s Head of Travel, Lisa Minot, weighs in on the new trend, here’s what she thinks…
OF all the social media viral travel trends, this has to be one of the most stupid.
As a travel journalist for more than 26 years, I’ve seen my fair share of airports across the globe and I can confirm that in the case of 99per cent of them, if you arrive 15minutes before your flight you are definitely going to miss it.
While, for some Americans—who tend to use planes like we use trains—it is potentially possible from a small, domestic airport.
But add in the security, customs and check in queues at most international airports and you’re taking a ridiculous risk.
I don’t want to give myself a heart-attack dashing to a gate – think about it, at airports like Gatwick, some are a good 20minute walk from the departure lounge alone.
While it is possible to get through some airports quickly if travelling hand-luggage only – and believe me, I’ve had some close calls in my time – only an idiot would add this element of jeopardy to their travels.
But there are ways to save money at airports, a travel expert has revealed how airport lounges could offer cash savings.
And this traveller shared a hack to avoid spending money on water.
Aviation and travel experts have warned UK holidaymakers against jumping on the trend (stock image)[/caption]
