They’re causing a brain delay.
Social media has cornered the market on idiotic travel trends — check-in chicken, anyone? But now, TikTokkers are purposefully showing up late to the airport as part of a lamebrained new challenge that, perhaps unsurprisingly, is causing people to miss their flights.
Dubbed “airport theory,” the trend suggests arriving at the airport just 15 minutes in advance to clear security — going against the conventional wisdom of showing up hours in advance.
The logic is that passengers can have their cake and eat it, too, by making it to the gate without having to get up as early or waste time lounging about the airport.
While this might seem like a gamble, videos about “airport theory” have taken off on TikTok, amassing a whopping 400 million views.
“It is currently 9:24, and my flight started boarding four minutes ago,” said one human guinea pig named Lexi Smith 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 she got through security at 9:29, just five minutes later — despite getting randomly selected for additional screening — and then had to transfer to her gate via bus.
The air-devil then updated viewers that she made it to the gate at 9:44, barely 15 minutes later, when the flight was “just now boarding.”
“So. We made it; airport theory is true,” she declared, adding, “Yes, I was the first one to walk on the plane. Make that make sense.”
One brave soul even successfully tested the mile high-pothesis at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, which is reportedly the busiest in the world based on foot traffic.
“If airport theory works here, I think it will work anywhere,” said wild-haired TikTokker Michael DiCostanzo, whose coiff looked like he’d just climbed out of bed, in a clip with more than 3.5 million views.
The port-crastinator said he breezed through security in just 7½ minutes and then took a tram to his Delta gate, arriving there in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
He called it “a huge win for airport theory.”
However, critics accused the content creator of cheating — as he used TSA Precheck, with “literally nobody” in line, and didn’t check a bag.
He also flew on a Tuesday instead of Friday, Saturday or Sunday, when the airport reportedly is at its busiest; he even called it a “ghost town.”
Meanwhile, some airport theorists ended up flying — or rather not flying — too close to the sun.
In one short clip with 15.8 million views, defeated-looking TikTokker Jenny Kurtz detailed her not rushing as she walked while sipping a cup of iced coffee — and seemingly getting to her American Airlines gate after it closed.
“For those of you thinking about testing out the airport theory, don’t do it,” she warned in the 14-second video’s caption.
“I’d rather sit uncomfortably at the airport for 4 hours than be consumed with anxiety about missing my plane,” seconded one commenter.
In fact, the experts at travel website Netflights reported that since the rise of the “airport theory” trend, Google searches for “I missed my flight” have skyrocketed by 645% this past month.
Despite some successful tests, “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,” Netflights expert Amanda Parker said in a statement.
“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 following this trend,” she warned.
In general, airlines recommend that travelers arrive at an airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one, according to travel site The Points Guy. However, some factors may prolong the time, such as checking luggage, riding a shuttle instead of a ride-share service — the latter drops you off right at the check-in counter, unlike a shuttle — or traveling with family members.
“Most airlines require you to check your luggage at least 45 minutes before departure time for domestic flights and at least 60 minutes prior for international flights,” TPG wrote.
People should also be cognizant of whether they’re at a flight hub with notoriously long wait times.
In November, luggage storage company Bounce ranked John F. Kennedy International Airport the least efficient airport in the U.S., with a total wait time of 39 minutes and 48 seconds, including security screening and passport control.
