Are travel trends making your airport experience miserable?
Orlando International Airport
Like many other aspects of our daily lives, there are plenty of trends out there for travel — and more specifically, for air travel. Whether it’s products to buy, tips for speeding through security, or hacks for getting the best prices on flights, travel trends come and go just like any other industry. But which trends are truly irritating?
We recently reached out to our followers on Twitter/X and asked them which popular airport trends they couldn’t stand. They had some strong opinions to share!
What are some popular airport trends you can’t STAND? ✈️
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 9, 2025
It can definitely be frustrating to have a bad travel experience when plane tickets cost so much these days! That’s why these problems can be extra annoying. Let’s see which “trends” were the most popular pet peeves.
Bare Feet or Socks on the Plane
One of the most common issues people shared is when other travelers take their shoes or socks off on the plane. This one isn’t as much of a recent trend — it has seemingly been a problem for YEARS. And guys, let’s all agree here that it’s weird to take off your shoes in public spaces.
Southwest Cabin
Unless you’re at a trampoline park or a bowling alley or you’re literally going through TSA at that moment, your shoes should stay ON when out and about — especially when everyone is trapped together, breathing the same air on a plane. Nobody wants to see your old socks or smell your feet. PLEASE. We’re begging you to keep the dogs in the cage.
Now we know the rules are a bit different on long international flights, where slippers are often provided. But please wear socks or slippers when walking around — those bathroom floors CANNOT be clean enough for bare feet.
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Trying to Pass Off Pets As Service Animals
With an increase in service animals in recent years, one unfortunate trend our readers have seen is that people try to pass off untrained pets as trained service or emotional support animals. This can be a big problem when traveling if the animal isn’t trained, because it can be stressful for pets to deal with crowds in the airport and enclosed spaces on the plane.
Frontier Airlines
If we as humans have trouble navigating public spaces sometimes, just think how difficult it can be for our furry friends. And when unqualified service animals cause problems in public, it makes things even more difficult for people who have their animals professionally trained to be accepted.
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Lining Up Before Your Group Is Called
A term that has been coined recently is “gate lice” — used to describe people who swarm around the gate entrance before their boarding group is called. These people get in the way of others who are boarding first, and they tend to cause a lot of general chaos with the boarding process.
Airport gates
When you stand in front of the boarding zone, you block the way for people in first class, military members, families with small children, and those with accessibility needs who are trying to board early. And when it comes to planes with assigned seating, there’s really not much need to rush the boarding zone. We’ll get there eventually, guys.
Learn More About “Gate Lice” Here!
Airlines Nickel-and-Dime-ing
Finally, the last trend our readers complained about was the nickel-and-dime-ing from airlines these days. It seems like everything is an extra fee, especially when it comes to budget airlines. Yes, your plane ticket may cost $99 initially, but then you pay extra for a carry-on, to choose your seat, to board priority, or to get snacks on board.
Airport crowds in 2023
Add into those fees the high prices for joining airline rewards clubs, and it seems like there are SO many hidden costs for traveling. Can we just know the price upfront?
Checking In!
A lot of times, one of the worst things about traveling is dealing with other passengers’ strange behavior. When you’re going to a public space like the airport, remember to pack your patience!
And if you’re traveling to Disney World soon, check out our video below to see the best travel tips.
Stay tuned to DFB for more travel news, tips, and updates. We’ll keep you in the loop.
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What’s your airport pet peeve? Tell us in the comments!
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I am glad that the ‘shoes’ off made it higher up on the list. That is just disgusting, I would add clipping nails (finger or toe, but a hang nail is different that is a one and done).
I always get annoyed when I see families with older children lining up to board during the pre-boarding for families with small children. The announcement always specifies families that have a child in a stroller or who will be using a car seat on the plane, but families who don’t even have a stroller get in lone then also, and the gate agents let them in. I hate when people take advantage like that. I was on a flight once where I was in boarding group C (with D, E, and F yet to be called) and there were only about 20 people left at the gate because so many people just boarded when they felt like it. I really miss the days when the gate agents actually looked at the boarding passes and turned people away if they tried to board before they’re group is called or if their children are older and don’t need strollers or car seats.
Sorry, I’m done venting now.