We’ve all seen it before: People who hustle at the airport, even when they have plenty of time on their side. They wait anxiously in security lines, then stand up as soon as the boarding process looks like it might begin.
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A lot of judgment gets thrown at these types of travelers—after all, why do they rush when there’s no risk that they could miss their flight?
Turns out, there’s a lot going on at the airport, and the human nervous system wasn’t designed to handle it with aplomb. The more prone to stress and jitters a person is, the more likely they are to feel nervous at the airport.
If you’re one of these types, don’t worry. Science has explanations for why the airport is so psychologically triggering, and they’re pretty complex. So, why is the airport so stressful? Here’s what we know based on a range of studies, reports, and analyses from scientific experts.
Why is the airport so stressful? Here are 5 reasons, according to science
Lines are stressful
Why can’t you relax at the airport? Because waiting in lines tends to stress people out, and there are usually around two to five massive lines that you need to wait through at the airport. From checking a bag to getting through security to ordering food to lining up at your gate, waiting in multiple lines can wreak havoc on your sanity.
As early as 1985, a landmark study showed that humans don’t handle waiting in lines very well. That’s because we perceive time as ‘unoccupied’, meaning we have nothing to do. Science shows that time feels like it passes more slowly when we have nothing to keep us engaged.
Rushing is stressful
Let’s imagine you show up late to the airport, and now, you need to rush. Rushing triggers the body’s fight-or-flight mode, meaning your nervous system might start responding to life-threatening situations… even if you’re just trying to make a flight to Detroit, not survive the apocalypse.
In short, your levels of cortisol and adrenaline peak when you need to rush. Even if you make your flight, you might find that it’s hard to calm down on the plane.
Uncertainty is stressful—especially when the stakes are high
Why can’t you relax at the airport when your flight gets delayed by thirty minutes? Because you know that this short delay could spiral into a longer one. If you have a connecting flight you need to make, that stress compounds. A single delay can derail your travel plans.
That’s a big deal because it creates additional problems—you need to figure out how to rebook flights, how to re-arrange transportation at your destination, and how to get a refund, if eligible.
Turns out, uncertainty (especially when the stakes are a bit higher) generates anxiety. It creates a dilemma as you try to assert control—should you act now? Should you be patient? Is there something obvious you’re missing about rebooking your flights or reaching out for support?
Upcharges are stressful
Airports are more hectic than ever before, meaning issues like delays are par for the course for many passengers. The same is true for upcharges. Plane tickets are pricier than ever before, while ticket tiers are also confusing. So, why can’t you relax at the airport? You might be charged high fees for basic amenities, especially if you have an economy ticket.
Unsurprisingly, financial concerns can create high levels of stress because our relationship to money affects our mental health. Once again, a sudden loss in funds can trigger a fight-or-flight response. So, if your bag is overweight and you’re charged another $75 to check it, your nervous system might kick into survival mode.
Physical discomfort is stressful
It’s not always psychological when it comes to stress at the airport. Turns out, being stranded in a small seat on a long-haul flight can also wreak havoc on our ability to relax. Some have even pointed out that the poor design and poor quality of material used in modern plane seats can cause negative health effects.
