‘Airport Theory’ Will Make You Miss Your Flight

If airports weren’t already a hellscape, TikTok has recovered a mode to marque them worse. Welcome to airdrome theory, a viral delusion that suggests you tin rotation up to the airdrome 15 minutes earlier boarding, waltz done security, and inactive marque your formation with clip to spare. No stress, nary waiting, conscionable axenic main quality energy.

TikTok creators similar Michael DiCostanzo (@michael.dicostanzo) curse by it, documenting their dashes done high-traffic hubs similar LAX, Atlanta International Airport, and post–Super Bowl New Orleans. Some viewers are sold. Others are calling BS.

“So you had PreCheck, didn’t cheque a bag, and were astatine the nearest terminal? Now let’s bash it erstwhile it’s not the optimal situation,” 1 idiosyncratic commented. And, definite enough, the net is besides littered with failed attempts—videos of forlorn TikTokers watching their flights instrumentality disconnected without them, their carry-ons afloat of regret.

It’s a amusive fantasy, which explains wherefore “airport theory” has racked up implicit 400 cardinal views connected TikTok. Unfortunately, the the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t attraction astir your viral moment. The nationalist mean hold clip for information was 27 minutes, 16 seconds successful 2024. And if you’re flying retired of a notorious bottleneck similar JFK, Orlando International, oregon Chicago O’Hare, it’s person to 40 minutes. Google searches for “I missed my formation what bash I do” person spiked 70 percent successful the past month, per Google Trends. It’s not hard to link the dots.

Here is your bittersweet world check: Airlines inactive urge arriving astatine slightest 2 hours earlier a home flight, 3 for international. Sometimes that buffer feels similar overkill. But would you alternatively unreserved done the airdrome with your bosom racing oregon person a fewer minutes to find your gate, drawback a container of overpriced whatever, and scroll TikTok watching different radical miss their flights? That sounds similar a overmuch amended airdrome mentation to us.

Airport Hacks That Actually Work

The champion mode to get done airdrome information unscathed is to determination similar you’ve done this a 100 times before. A small planning, the close gear, and skipping societal media stunts volition get you from curb to gross with minimal stress.

Time It Right

• Travel off-peak. According to CheapAir, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often little crowded. Early flights betwixt 5 and 8 americium and red-eyes (after 9 pm) thin to person less passengers.
• Check TSA hold times successful advance. The My TSA app (iOS, Android) provides real-time information enactment updates astatine large airports.

Get the Right Apps

• Download your airline’s app for mobile boarding passes and real-time gross updates.
• Get TSA PreCheck. Some recognition cards adjacent screen the fee. Global Entry (available astatine prime airports) includes PreCheck and fast-tracks reentry into the U.S. Or consider Clear Plus, which uses biometric scans to bypass ID checks.
• Use Mobile Passport Control app (iOS, Android) to taxable your customs info beforehand for faster reentry to the US.

Pack Smart

• Start with an bare bag. Double-check TSA-restricted items database to debar accidentally smuggling contraband.
• Use a wide toiletry bag. The Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case for $85 is an upgrade from the ziplock bag. If you’re disquieted astir TSA’s liquid restrictions, power to toothpaste tablets similar biöm’s Nobs and usage reusable question bottles. I'm a instrumentality of Reis' Refillable Travel Container set, but I've besides utilized question kits from Amazon for nether $10, and they enactment conscionable arsenic well.
• Go carry-on only. The Away Carry-On for $275 is our favorite, but if you privation to debar Away’s baggage, effort Monos ($255) oregon July ($295).
• Track your luggage. If you cheque a bag, stash an AirTag wrong for iPhone users oregon a Chipolo One Point ($25) oregon Card Spot ($29) for Android.

Dress for Efficiency

• Empty your pockets before security. Stash everything successful your carry-on alternatively of fumbling astatine the checkpoint.
• Keep metallic jewelry, watches, and belts successful your container until aft screening.
• Avoid boots oregon high-tops. Slip-ons similar Allbirds' Tree Runners for $98 and the Rothy’s Driving Loafer for $189—we've raved astir them successful the past—make information a breeze. If you’re not readying connected sprinting done the airport, the Bearpaw Martis Slippers ($70) are ultra-comfy.
• Skip bulky outerwear. Coats, hoodies with large pockets, and thing with excessive zippers conscionable dilatory you down. If you person PreCheck, you tin usually support your shoes, belt, and airy overgarment on.

Stay Organized

• If you person an iPhone, put successful a MagSafe wallet to debar digging done your container for an ID. Some of our favorites see Casetify ($38), Moft’s Snap-On Phone Stand & Wallet ($30), and ESR HaloLock Power Bank Wallet ($80), which works arsenic a powerfulness bank, wallet, and telephone stand.
• Get a checkpoint-friendly laptop backpacks. Lay-flat designs similar Peak Design’s Outdoor Backpack (available successful 25L and 45L) velocity up screenings.