A TikTok trend known as 'airport theory' promotes the notion that travelers can arrive just 15 minutes before a flight, breezing through security. Creators share their experiences, fueling excitement, but many passengers fail spectacularly. Despite over 400 million views, the trend contradicts the TSA's recommendation of arriving at least two hours early for domestic flights. With increased missed flight reports and rising security wait times, reality checks highlight the gap between fantasy and actual airport experiences.
The national average wait time for security was 27 minutes, 16 seconds in 2024, and spikes can occur at major airports like JFK or O'Hare.
While TikTok's 'airport theory' promotes arriving just before boarding, the TSA and airlines still recommend arriving two hours prior for domestic flights.
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