‘Airport theory’: Wild TikTok trend making some travellers miss flights
We can blame TikTok for many things, including dodgy financial “advice” and dangerous health tips – and now, it seems, potentially if we miss a flight.
The latest trend sweeping the social media platform involves audacious TikTokkers deliberately showing up late to the airport for their flights.
Dubbed “airport theory”, the trend encourages people to get to the airport only 15 minutes before their scheduled departure – flying in the face of common advice to get there an hour before a domestic flight and two hours if you’re heading overseas.
The challenge has collected more than 400 million views on TikTok, leaving some to think they get away without waiting around at the airport.
“It is currently 9.24, and my flight started boarding four minutes ago,” TikTokker Lexi Smith said in a video demonstration of the time-saving hack.
“We’re in security right now; let’s see how fast we can get through this.”
She claimed that took just five minutes, including being randomly selected for additional screening. Then she grabbed a bus to her gate, making it there by 9.44am – with her flight “just now boarding”.
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“So. We made it; airport theory is true,” Smith said.
“Yes, I was the first one to walk on the plane. Make that make sense.”
Another user got 3.5 million views after claiming he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the busiest airport in the world – and was at his gate just 15 minutes later.
“If airport theory works here, I think it will work anywhere,” Michael DiCostanzo said.
He called it “a huge win for airport theory”.
Critics, however, accused DiCostanzo of cheating – pointing out he didn’t check any luggage, arrived when no one was in line and had used the US’s official trusted traveller program TSA Precheck.
For all the claims of success, there are also thousands of clips of people testing the theory and missing their flight.
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Google Trends notes that searched for “I missed my flight what do I do” have leapt 640 per cent in just a month.
“Don’t do it,” one sad TikTokker said in a February video with 17 million views. “Missed my flight.”
“I’d rather sit uncomfortably at the airport for 4 hours than be consumed with anxiety about missing my plane,” wrote another commenter.
Back in Australia, Qantas acknowledges the timing of getting to the airport is divisive.
“The organised insist it’s hours in advance, while more moderate travellers seem happy to saunter into a queue following the very last call to board,” it says.
“But there are some indisputable facts of the beginning of any journey: A lack of planning and consideration of schedules can run the risk of you missing your flight and tarnishing your holiday.”
It recommends getting there an hour before a domestic flight and at least two hours in advance of international ones.
“Both take into consideration potential bottlenecks at security, check-in times where stowed baggage is required and time taken to traverse the airport itself,” the airline says.
Brisbane Airport wants a bit more – although noting it recommends checking with airlines.
“As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to arrive at Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal three hours before your departure time, as you need more time than a domestic flight to pass security and passport control,” the airport website says.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration also advises to check with airlines. American Airlines, for example, recommends arriving at at least two hours before departure for trans-America flights and leaving three hours for international trips.
