There’s no way around it: Airports are stress factories, testing your patience, resilience, and sometimes even your physical stamina. Will you make your flight on time, or will you get stranded due to a delay? Will TSA greet you with a smile or scrutinize you as if you’re a national security threat? Who’s to say?
While it seems like a game of luck, nothing at the airport happens by chance.
What you might not realize is that many aspects of a passenger’s airport experience are deliberately orchestrated. Here are 10 secrets airports don’t want you to know.
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1. Early Morning Flights Are On-Time More Often — and Cheaper
It turns out that the early bird doesn’t just catch the worm, but also an on-time flight. According to Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report, flights that take off early in the day are more likely to leave on time than those taking off in the late afternoon and evening.
This is mainly because air traffic is less congested in the morning, and airlines are able to reset and address any issues with the airplanes overnight. Plus, there’s more wiggle room to adjust the schedule throughout the day if there are any delays or cancellations.
Another reason to consider setting your alarm early is the added benefit of cost savings. Based on data gathered by Kayak for Travel + Leisure in 2023, international departures from the U.S. are, on average, 13% less expensive between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. than those taking off in the early afternoon.
So while it might be tough to roll out of bed before the sun, your chances of getting to your destination without a hitch and saving a dollar or two significantly improve with those first flights out.
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2. The ‘Arrive Two Hours Before Your Flight’ Rule Is Designed To Make You Shop
You don’t need to be a travel expert to know the basic rule of flying: Arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one. This recommended time isn’t just about getting from the parking lot through security. Included in these hours is what airports call “dwell time.” This is the period after you’ve cleared security and before you board your plane, often seen as the airport’s prime time for retail.
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3. Shops Are Strategically Placed
When you’re walking through an airport after passing security and starting “dwell time,” you’re actually moving along what’s called a “retail corridor” — a carefully planned hallway to the gates that takes you past shops and restaurants. Airports have got this down to a science to make sure you see as many stores as possible on your way to your flight. The idea is to grab your attention and encourage you to make a purchase, whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a last-minute gift, or just feel like browsing to kill time.
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4. You Have the Right To Opt-Out of Body Scanners
If you’re uncomfortable with Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) for any reason, you can request a manual pat-down instead. Just inform the TSA officer at the security checkpoint that you prefer not to go through the body scanner. A TSA agent — who will be of the same gender as you to ensure your comfort — will then perform a thorough pat-down. You also have the right to ask for this pat-down to be conducted in a private area and to have a witness present. This opt-out provision is designed to accommodate different comfort levels and privacy concerns while maintaining security standards.
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
5. Walkways Tend To Curve to the Left So You Can Shop More
At many airports, you might notice that walkways tend to curve to the left. This design choice is based on the observation that most people are right-handed and, consequently, have a natural inclination to turn right when given the option. This approach takes advantage of passengers’ tendencies to look right more often than left, potentially increasing exposure to shops and services located along these left-curving paths and enhancing retail opportunities. According to a report by Intervistas, more sales are generated if a walkway curves from right to left with more merchandise and space on the right side, because passengers are looking right while (perhaps unconsciously) walking left.
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
6. There Are Secret Lounges for VIPs
While you’re hunched over on a bench at your gate, clutching an overpriced cup of what can only loosely be called coffee and battling to connect to spotty airport Wi-Fi, there’s a hidden world within the same airport that feels miles away from your current predicament. Yep, most big airports have ultra-exclusive lounges hidden away from the regular hustle and bustle, reserved for VIPs like first-class passengers, celebrities, or those with elite status in airline loyalty programs. These airport oases offer amenities like gourmet meals, private sleeping areas, spa services, and sometimes even personal butlers — you know, regular airport stuff.
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7. Gate Checking Bags Can Be Free
Airlines often allow passengers to check their carry-on bags at the gate for free, especially if the flight is full or the overhead bin space is running out. This means you can bypass potential checked baggage fees by waiting until you’re boarding. Just remember, this is more of an as-needed service and not something you can always count on. So if you’re toting along a bag you really don’t want to check, make sure it fits the airline’s carry-on size requirements to avoid any surprises at the gate.
Image Credit: Julia Gerasina / istockphoto.
8. Duty Free Isn’t Always Cheaper
Duty-free shopping, often seen as a bargain hunter’s paradise at airports, doesn’t always guarantee the best deals. The allure of tax-free shopping can be compelling, suggesting significant savings on luxury goods, alcohol, and tobacco. However, savvy shoppers know that duty-free prices can sometimes be higher than what you might find online or in local stores. “Some products may be cheaper outside of the duty-free environment, especially if they are subject to heavy import taxes,” Scott Poniewaz, head of travel and lifestyle benefits company EXEC, told U.S.News.
This is because duty-free shops cater to a captive audience, and their prices are not always competitive when compared to retail or online sales, especially when factoring in special offers and discounts available elsewhere.
So before you splurge on that giant Toblerone or a bottle of your favorite spirit, it might be worth doing a quick price check against your usual shopping haunts.
Image Credit: Oleg Elkov / istockphoto.
9. The Chatty Security Guard Is Testing You
When you come across a chatty security guard at the airport, there might be more going on than just small talk. Security personnel are trained to engage with passengers as part of their behavioral detection efforts. Through casual conversation, they’re assessing your reactions and looking for any signs of nervousness or discomfort that might indicate something is amiss. It’s a subtle security measure that blends seamlessly with the airport environment, aiming to ensure safety without causing unnecessary alarm. The next time a security guard strikes up a conversation about your destination or asks how your day is going, remember it could be a friendly chat with a purpose.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
10. Airports Sometimes Sell Your Missing Baggage
People don’t like losing things. But it happens, especially when you are traveling. In most cases, when an airline loses your luggage or leaves it behind, there’s a chance you’ll get it back. If you don’t, an airport will probably sell it. This is how airports and airlines handle the accumulation of lost and unclaimed baggage, turning a logistical challenge into an opportunity to clear space and possibly contribute to charity.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
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