A daring new trend encouraging travelers to boldly arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before takeoff has taken the internet by storm, prompting thrill-seeking adventurers to test their nerves in the ultimate race against the clock.
The new trend, dubbed as ‘airport theory,’ is the idea that vacation-goers can show up to the airport a mere 15 to 20 minutes before the flight departs and still make it on board, despite experts and airlines advising against the risky practice.
‘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,’ said Amanda Parker, a Netflights expert, The New York Post reported.
‘Additionally, boarding typically begins 45 minutes before departure, which is half an hour earlier than the 15 minutes suggested in «airport theory,» further emphasizing the risks of the trend,’ she added.
However videos of travelers ignoring the warnings have recently taken over TikTok, as the term ‘airport theory’ has amassed more than 400 million views across the platform.
In the heart-pounding videos, creators film themselves navigating airports and clearing security with just minutes to spare, avoiding the ‘dreaded’ time wasted while waiting around for boarding.
Michael DiCostanzo, a TikTok creator, attempted the theory at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the busiest airport holding the top spot for several years in a row with 62.7 million seats, OAG reported.
‘If airport theory works here, I think it will work anywhere,’ DiCostanzo said in the January video.
A new viral trend, dubbed as ‘airport theory,’ is the idea that vacation-goers can show up to the airport a mere 15 to 20 minutes before the flight departs and still make it on board, despite experts and airlines advising against the risky practice
Videos of travelers testing the theory have recently taken over TikTok, as creators film themselves navigating airports and clearing security with just minutes to spare – including Lexi Smith (pictured) who arrived at her gate at LAX just 20 minutes after arriving
Experts at Netflights, a travel website, reported that an increase of ‘airport theory’ videos led to a 645 percent increase in Google searches for ‘I missed my flight’ last month
After starting a timer, the creator made his way to the visibly empty TSA pre-check line which he referred to as a ‘ghost town.’
Just seven and a half minutes later, DiCostanzo had already through security and was boarding the tram.
Although he didn’t check a bag – a line he noted was also empty – DiCostanzo arrived at his Orlando-gate in just under 15 minutes.
‘That’s a huge win for airport theory, let’s be honest,’ he said. ‘Right? Let’s go!’
Lexi Smith, another daring creator, tested ‘airport theory’ at Los Angeles International Airport last month.
‘My flight started boarding four minutes ago,’ Smith said in the video. ‘We’re in security right now… let’s see how fast we can get through this.’
Smith had successfully cleared security just five minutes later, despite being randomly selected for an additional security screening. After taking a bus to the terminal, she found herself at the gate just 20 minutes after arriving at LAX.
‘Airport theory is real,’ she said.
The term ‘airport theory’ has amassed more than 400 million views across TikTok, prompting thrill-seeking adventurers to test their nerves in the ultimate race against the clock
Michael DiCostanzo, a TikTok creator, attempted the theory at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the busiest airport holding the top spot for several years in a row with 62.7 million seats – and arrived at his Orlando-gate in just under 15 minutes
Jenny Kurtz, another TikTok creator (pictured), attempted the ‘airport theory’ just to find terminal screens flashing ‘flight closed’ at the Chicago-gate
Once on the plane, Smith pointed the camera her seat, which to her surprise, revealed she was somehow the first person to board.
‘Yes, I was the first one to walk on the plane,’ she told the camera. ‘Make that make sense.’
‘Airport theory is true. Oh – and I even had time to grab a snack,’ she reiterated while holding up a bag of peanut M&Ms.
A creator who had just recently learned about ‘airport theory’ shared a TikTok video boasting about her short 20-minute trip to the gate after arriving to the airport 43 minutes before departure.
With an ice cold soda in hand, Rain shared her experience: ‘Got through security, got some McDonald’s and now I’m literally chilling at my gate.’
‘This is why I will never get to the airport early,’ she added, thanking the theory for the convenience.
However, the theory isn’t foolproof for everyone.
Experts at Netflights, a travel website, reported that an increase of ‘airport theory’ videos led to a 645 percent increase in Google searches for ‘I missed my flight’ last month, The New York Post reported.
Jenny Kurtz, another TikTok creator, attempted the ‘airport theory’ just to find terminal screens flashing ‘flight closed’ at the Chicago-gate.
With an iced coffee in hand and a Taylor Swift song playing in the background, a frowning Kurtz showed the camera the empty terminal as she waved her in-motion flight goodbye from the airport window.
‘For those of you thinking about testing out the airport theory… don’t do it,’ Kurtz wrote accompanied by a crying face emoji. ‘I would not recommend.’
The trend has gained widespread attention, with some fully embracing the theory and others dismissing it as a reckless attempt to justify poor time management skills and last-minute travel.
‘I’d rather sit uncomfortably at the airport for 4 hours than be consumed with anxiety about missing my plane,’ read one comment. ‘But I respect those who check in last second. Those people really live life.’
Another creator wrote: ‘If you do something last minute, it only takes a minute.’
‘My father was a pilot for 27 years,’ another read. ‘The airport theory is a myth every time. You may get lucky with a fluke that left you waiting, but I promise 90 percent of the time you will miss your flight.’
Another comment said: ‘Sshhhh you’re talking too loud!!! No one was supposed to know about this!!’
The trend has swiftly gained widespread attention, with some fully embracing the theory and others dismissing it as a reckless attempt to justify poor time management skills and last-minute travel
With an iced coffee in hand and a Taylor Swift song playing in the background, a frowning Kurtz showed the camera the empty terminal as she waved her in-motion flight goodbye from the airport window, adding that she ‘doesn’t recommend’ trying the theory out
Others shared their experiences to TikTok, boasting about their short trips to the gate just minutes after arriving to the airport, avoiding the ‘dreaded’ time wasted while waiting around for boarding
‘It’s called being irresponsible, not the airport theory,’ said another.
A creator agreed and added: ‘Tried it today, watched my plane drive past me while I was putting my shoes back on.’
‘Airport theory’ has experts and airlines warning travelers that playing Russian-roulette with your trip rarely is a smart or efficient move, especially during peak holiday season.
‘We recommend that when flying domestically out of a medium to large airport that travelers get to the checkout point two hours prior to their departure time, regardless of whether they are enrolled in TSA PreCheck,’ Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, told Travel and Leisure.
‘This is especially important if someone is traveling during a holiday period,’ she added.
Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, told Newsweek that he is ‘horrified’ by the trend as ‘it’s a recipe for stress and for disasters.’
‘Fifteen minutes is never enough time to safely get through security and get to your gate,’ he said. ‘Even if you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, that’s not enough time.’
‘It’s also disrespectful to other travelers who have to deal with your stress in the lines and potentially you asking them to cut,’ he added. ‘It adds unnecessary stress to the entire process.’
‘Airport theory’ has experts and airlines warning travelers that playing Russian-roulette with your trip rarely is a smart or efficient move, especially during peak holiday season
Traditionally, most airports recommend leaving yourself around 90-minutes or more to promptly pass through security and arrive at the gate before boarding – as for international flights, airlines recommend arriving three hours early
‘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,’ said Amanda Parker, a Netflights expert
Traditionally, most airports recommend leaving yourself around 90-minutes or more to promptly pass through security and arrive at the gate before boarding.
On United Airlines’ website, passengers without checked luggage must check in ‘at least 30 minutes before departure,’ or the airline has ‘the right to deny service’ to those who fail to meet the requirements.
The website also informs travelers that they ‘must be on board the flight 15 minutes before departure time’ – the exact time the ‘airport theory’ trend suggests to arrive at the airport.
American Airlines, on the other hand, closes boarding 15 minutes before departure. The airline ‘may reassign your seat to another passenger’ if not on board, the website states, and adds that ‘you will not be allowed to board once the doors close.’
‘When flying internationally, it’s best to arrive three hours prior to the flight,’ Farbstein said. ‘Travelers need to be prepared for a line at their airline check-in counter if they are flying during a peak travel period of the day.’
‘After someone gets through the security screening process, many of the larger airports have quite a walk to get to their gate,’ she added.
‘So, get to the airport early.’
