Heading to the airport should be the start of an exciting journey, but more often than not, it’s just a major test of patience.
From slow-moving security queues to clueless passengers clogging up the walkways, the smallest annoyances can turn what should be a smooth experience into a frustrating ordeal (and that’s putting it lightly). If you’ve ever felt your blood pressure rise before you’ve even boarded the plane, these are some of the tiny airport irritations that can completely ruin the experience that you’re likely already familiar with.
1. People who take forever at security
The security process is stressful enough without standing behind someone who acts like they’ve never seen a conveyor belt before. We all know the drill — take out your liquids, remove your laptop, empty your pockets — so why do some people wait until the last second to do it? Even worse are those who argue with staff about why they have to remove their belt or why a litre of shampoo isn’t allowed in their hand luggage. Security is never quick, but people who slow it down even more make it unbearable.
2. Overpriced food and drinks
Airport prices are a complete joke, but they get away with it because passengers have no other choice. You expect things to be slightly marked up, but when a bog-standard sandwich costs more than a full meal outside, it starts feeling like daylight robbery. By the time you’ve bought a coffee, a bottle of water, and something small to eat, you’ve probably already spent the equivalent of a budget flight. It’s just one more way airports drain your wallet before you even reach your destination.
3. People who stop dead in the middle of walkways
Few things are more irritating than people who suddenly stop in the middle of a busy airport, causing everyone behind them to swerve or come to an abrupt halt. Whether they’re checking their phone, looking at a departure board, or just lost in their own world, they seem completely oblivious to the chaos they’re creating. Step to the side if you need a minute — it’s really not that hard. However, some people act as though they’re the only ones in the airport, turning high-traffic areas into their own personal waiting room.
4. Gate changes at the last minute
You’ve found your gate, settled in, and then out of nowhere, your flight is suddenly moved to the opposite side of the terminal. Now you’re speed-walking with a group of equally frustrated passengers, trying to make it to the new gate before boarding starts. It wouldn’t be so bad if airports weren’t designed like obstacle courses, but there’s always at least one unnecessary detour involved. And of course, the gate change announcement always comes when you’ve just bought a drink or sat down somewhere comfortable.
5. People who crowd the boarding gate way too early
Every flight has those passengers who sprint to the gate the second boarding is called — ignoring the seat numbers or zones — just to stand there and wait. The result? A massive queue of people blocking the way for those who are actually supposed to board. Even worse are the ones who start hovering awkwardly in the area long before boarding has even started, creating unnecessary congestion. Everyone has a seat—there’s no need to act like it’s first-come, first-served.
6. Unclear or misleading signage
Some airports are easy to navigate, but others seem to go out of their way to make things confusing. Whether it’s signs that send you in circles, unclear baggage drop-off instructions, or security lanes that suddenly split into three different directions, bad signage only adds to the frustration. By the time you finally find your way, you’ve probably wasted 15 minutes wandering around, wondering why something as simple as following an arrow can feel like solving a puzzle.
7. Incredibly loud or unclear announcements
Airport announcements come in two varieties: barely audible mumbles that you can’t understand or deafening blasts of information that make you jump out of your seat. And somehow, the important ones always seem to be in the “impossible to hear” category. Meanwhile, the announcements you don’t need, like reminders about not leaving your baggage unattended, are repeated every five minutes at full volume, as if you might have forgotten since the last one.
8. The lack of places to charge your phone
Source: Unsplash In an age where nearly everything is done on your phone — boarding passes, flight updates, and last-minute bookings — it’s ridiculous how few charging points some airports have. And when you do find one, there’s always someone who’s taken over the entire plug station. Some airports have caught on and added more charging areas, but in others, trying to find a plug socket feels like searching for treasure. By the time you spot one, your battery is on 1%, and there’s already a queue of people waiting to use it.
9. People who don’t keep an eye on their kids
Flying with kids is tough, but some parents seem to forget that an airport isn’t a playground. Watching children run wild, crash into people, or play with baggage belts while their parents scroll through their phones is a recipe for irritation. No one expects kids to sit in silence, but a little supervision goes a long way. There’s a difference between a restless child and one who’s treating the departure lounge like an obstacle course while everyone else just tries to get to their gate.
10. Overly complicated security rules
Every airport seems to have its own slightly different version of security rules. Some let you keep your shoes on, others make you remove them. Some let you carry a water bottle if it’s empty, while others confiscate it anyway. Even when you think you know the process, something always changes. The inconsistency means passengers spend more time being confused, slowing down the queue while security staff repeat the same instructions over and over.
11. People who take up way too much space
You finally find a seat in the departure lounge, only to realise that one person has taken over three chairs — one for themselves, one for their bag, and one for no apparent reason. Bonus frustration points if they look directly at someone standing and still don’t move their stuff. Airport seating is limited enough without people treating it like their personal living room. A bit of spatial awareness would go a long way, but some travellers seem to have none.
12. Ridiculously long walks between terminals
Some airports feel like they were designed by someone who actively wanted passengers to suffer. When your flight is in a completely different terminal, and the only way to get there is a 20-minute trek, it’s enough to make you reconsider flying altogether. It’s even worse when there’s a train or shuttle, but the signs don’t make it clear where to go, so you end up power-walking across the entire airport instead. By the time you reach your gate, you feel like you’ve run a marathon.
13. The struggle to find an affordable taxi or transport
After a long flight, the last thing you want is to be ripped off by airport taxis. Some charge ridiculous prices, while others insist on cash when you don’t have any local currency yet. Public transport options are usually cheaper, but finding where to actually get a bus or train is another mission altogether. If you’re in an unfamiliar airport, good luck figuring it out without having to Google five different things.
14. Flights that board ridiculously early
Some flights insist on boarding way earlier than necessary, making passengers rush to the gate only to sit there for another 40 minutes. You sprint through the airport, thinking you’re about to miss your flight, only to find the plane hasn’t even started boarding yet. It’s as if some airlines just want you to panic for no reason. And if you show up a little late, that’s when they suddenly decide to board at lightning speed, closing the gate just as you arrive. Ugh.
