These Are the Best Airports to Test Out the Viral 'Airport Theory'
As the viral “airport theory” trend has gripped the internet, travel eSIM provider Holafly has released a new survey that determined the best airports to test the controversial theory.
Experts Warn Against Airport Theory
Airport theory is a viral trend which has taken hold on TikTok and Instagram wherein travelers arrive at the airport about 20 minutes before their flight is scheduled to begin boarding, therefore eliminating the hours-long game of waiting. The trend has led to a not-unsurprising amount of blowback from experts (who roundly recommend you don’t try it) and a number of think pieces, including one published last March by Wired entitled “‘Airport Theory’ Will Make You Miss Your Flight.”
But You Can Try It, Anyway
But many travelers have been quick to buy into the fantasy, and searches for “airport theory” have skyrocketed 11,426 percent over the last 12 months. In order to determine the best airports to test out the theory, Holafly analyzed factors such as passenger volume, on-time arrival and departure rates, typical TSA wait times, and airport size across 24 of the busiest airports in the nation.
“Airport theory has been shaking up normal travel routines ever since the trend went viral on TikTok last year. If you want to try it, stick to smaller airports such as Salt Lake City International and San Diego International, where TSA wait times are under 15 minutes and getting lost is nearly impossible with few concourses," Harry Deacon, a travel expert at Holafly, told Men's Journal.
"You’ll want to avoid megahub airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International or Dallas/Fort Worth International. These airports have sprawling layouts and see more than 40 million passengers traveling through their halls each year, making them easier to get lost in, especially if you aren’t familiar with the airport," he explained. "At the end of the day, the airport theory trend isn’t a one-size-fits-all travel hack; it definitely hinges on an airport’s size, passenger volume, layout, and security wait times.”
These Are the Top 'Airport Theory' Locations
The number one choice for the best airport to try “airport theory” is Salt Lake City International, which has an on-time rate of 82.75 and an average TSA wait time of 15 minutes. San Diego International ranked second, with an on-time rate of 78.55 and a TSA wait time of 10 minutes. Boston Logan International came in third, followed by Washington Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. You can check out the complete ranking below.
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