Roberta Aguirre
Homeless people have long sought refuge in airports, which offer warmth, safety, 24-hour opening, accessibility, space, and freedom to carry possessions. However, as the number of homeless people sleeping in airports has grown, authorities have begun to crack down on the practice, with airports in New York, Washington DC, Honolulu, and Portland barring entry to those without tickets during late-night hours. While some airports have deployed crisis intervention teams to help connect homeless people with housing and services, others have faced criticism for endangering the lives of homeless people during cold weather.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Homeless people sleeping in airports | Anecdotal evidence suggests the number is growing |
| Reasons for sleeping in airports | Warmth, safety, 24-hour opening, accessibility, space for possessions, peace and quiet, access to facilities |
| Airport response | Some airports have started to crack down on homeless people sleeping in terminals, with restricted hours for non-ticketed passengers |
| Law enforcement response | Varies from leaving people alone to arresting them |
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What You'll Learn
Airports are safer and warmer than the streets
Homeless people have long chosen to sleep in airports due to their warmth and safety. Airports are generally open 24 hours, accessible by public transportation, and uncrowded at night. They also provide access to food, water, and charging stations. One individual described their experience of sleeping in an airport as "peaceful, quiet, and heartwarming". They added that they "didn't have to worry about people stealing [their] stuff or robbing [them]".
The number of homeless people sleeping in airports has grown in recent years, particularly in major metropolitan areas. In the US, cities such as New York, Washington DC, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, and Honolulu have seen an increase in homeless populations seeking shelter in airports. Similarly, in Europe, cities like London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam have also experienced a rise in homeless individuals taking refuge in their airports.
Despite the benefits that airports offer to the homeless, officials have begun to crack down on this practice. Airports like LaGuardia in New York, Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, and Honolulu International Airport have implemented restrictions on after-hours access for non-ticketed individuals. These measures aim to address safety concerns and complaints from travelers and employees.
While airports provide a safer and warmer alternative to the streets, the increasing restrictions and the potential involvement of law enforcement make it a less viable option for the homeless population. As a result, many individuals are forced to seek alternative solutions, such as shelters or, if affordable, motel rooms.
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Airports are open 24 hours, with access to amenities
Homeless people have long chosen to sleep in airports due to their 24-hour accessibility, warmth, safety, and availability of amenities. Airports in major cities like New York, Washington DC, Honolulu, London, Frankfurt, and across Europe have become temporary homes for the homeless.
The benefits of staying in an airport include access to hot and cold running water, food, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and even free blankets. They are also easily accessible by public transportation and do not impose restrictions on carrying possessions. One individual who had lived in LaGuardia Airport for 20 years described their experience as "peaceful, quiet, and heartwarming".
However, the increasing presence of homeless people in airports has led to complaints from travelers and employees, resulting in officials tightening rules and imposing restrictions. Airports like LaGuardia, Reagan National Airport, and Honolulu International Airport have implemented curfews, threatening to arrest those without tickets during late-night hours.
Despite these measures, some homeless individuals continue to find ways to prolong their stay by moving between different sections of the airport or maintaining their hygiene and appearance to avoid detection. While some airport officials have tried to provide aid, the general preference is to find alternative solutions to the use of airports as homeless shelters.
The unique characteristics of airports, such as 24-hour accessibility and the availability of amenities, have made them attractive options for those seeking temporary shelter. However, the recent crackdown on this arrangement has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the homeless population in finding safe and comfortable spaces.
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Airports have fewer rules, making it easier to blend in
Homeless people have long chosen to sleep in airports due to their warmth, safety, 24-hour opening, accessibility, and lack of limits on carrying possessions. Airports have fewer rules than other public spaces, making it easier for homeless people to blend in.
One individual wrote about their experience of sleeping in Reagan National Airport in Washington DC: "Sleeping at the airport was peaceful, quiet and heartwarming... You didn't have to worry about people stealing your stuff or robbing you. It reminded me of being home and free. It was my second home." They also pointed to the benefits of hot and cold running water, access to food, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and free blankets.
In addition to Reagan National Airport, homeless people have been reported to seek refuge in airports across the United States, including in Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, Honolulu, Phoenix, Portland, Denver, and Chicago. Internationally, homeless people have been observed in airports in London, Frankfurt, and Sydney.
The relative lack of rules in airports compared to other spaces means that people can sleep on benches without raising immediate suspicion. Airports are often associated with waiting and sleeping passengers, making it easier for homeless people to blend in. As one Reddit user commented, "Business man sleeping on the bench/floor? Sure."
However, it is important to note that while some airports have shown leniency towards homeless people, others have tightened their rules. Airports like LaGuardia in New York, Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, and Honolulu International Airport have implemented measures to restrict access to those without tickets during late-night hours. Despite this, some homeless people continue to find ways to stay under the radar, moving from one section to another or maintaining their hygiene and the neatness of their belongings to avoid detection.
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Airports are accessible by public transportation
Homeless people have long considered airports as a place of refuge. Airports are warm, safe, open 24 hours, accessible by public transportation, uncrowded at night, and don't have limits on carrying your possessions. However, in recent years, there has been a crackdown on homeless people staying in airports, with airports like LaGuardia in New York and Reagan National Airport in Washington DC closing their doors to those without tickets during late-night hours.
Despite these challenges, airports remain accessible by public transportation in many cities. Here are some examples of airports that can be easily reached by public transit:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Take the MARTA Red or Gold Lines (metro rail) from the airport station at the main terminal into downtown Atlanta. The train runs every 5 to 20 minutes, and it takes around 20 minutes to reach the city center. The fare is $2.50.
Los Angeles International Airport
You can take the FlyAway bus nonstop between the airport terminals and various destinations in Los Angeles, including Union Station and Hollywood. Alternatively, you can use a combination of buses and light rail trains to reach downtown LA, with a total travel time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The fare ranges from $8.00 to $10.00 on FlyAway and $1.75 on light rail.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Take the DART Orange Line light rail directly from the airport to downtown Dallas. The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the fare is $2.50. Another option is to take the free connector bus from the airport to the CentrePoint/DFW TRE commuter rail station and then take the TRE train to downtown Dallas or Fort Worth.
Midway International Airport, Chicago
The airport is easily accessible via the L's Orange Line, which is just east of the airport terminal. The Orange Line connects the airport to Midway Transportation Center, and from there, you can transfer to other lines to reach your final destination in Chicago. The standard L fare is $2.50, and up to two transfers within two hours are free.
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco has excellent public transportation, and it is easy to connect to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from the airport. Take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART station stop, and from there, you can take a BART train to reach the city center in about 30 minutes.
These are just a few examples of the many airports that are accessible by public transportation. While airports may not officially allow homeless people to stay overnight, their accessibility via public transit makes them a consideration for those seeking temporary refuge.
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Airports don't have limits on carrying your possessions
Homeless people have long considered airports as a place of refuge. They are warm, safe, open 24 hours, accessible by public transportation, and uncrowded at night. One of the key advantages is that airports don't impose limits on carrying your possessions. This is especially beneficial for the homeless, who often have to carry all their belongings with them.
While there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage a person can carry into an airport, there are certainly restrictions on what can be brought through security and onto an airplane. These restrictions are in place for the safety of all passengers and staff. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States determines what can and cannot be carried onto a plane, and their rules apply to all carry-on bags, including carry-on-sized suitcases, backpacks, purses, laptop bags, and more. The well-known 3-1-1 rule, for example, outlines the limitations for liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes. Passengers are also prohibited from bringing dangerous items such as fireworks, flares, hand grenades, and other weapons or explosive materials.
In addition to the TSA's restrictions, each airline may have its own policies regarding specific items. For instance, some airlines may allow wedding dresses to be brought through security and onto the flight, but passengers must take precautions and contact the airline in advance to ensure safe stowing. Similarly, small pets are generally allowed to travel with passengers, but it is the passenger's responsibility to adhere to the airline's specific policies.
While airports don't impose limits on the amount of luggage a person can carry, homeless individuals may still face challenges in this regard. They may have a large number of possessions, and keeping them neat and well-kept can be difficult. As one individual experiencing homelessness shared, "The more neat and well-kept you and your belongings appear, the longer it would take them to notice." This suggests that drawing less attention to oneself and one's belongings may prolong the time a homeless person can remain in an airport unnoticed.
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Frequently asked questions
Homeless people have long slept in airports, but in recent years, airports have been cracking down on this practice. Airports are warm, safe, open 24 hours, accessible by public transportation, and don't have limits on carrying your possessions. However, airports are now tightening their rules, and in some cases, deploying crisis intervention teams to connect the homeless to housing and other services.
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, some homeless people have described sleeping in airports as "peaceful, quiet, and heartwarming". They also have access to hot and cold running water, food, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and even free blankets.
Aside from the risk of being kicked out, some homeless people have reported that it is too bright to sleep in airports. Additionally, some airports have metal armrests installed between seats, making it impossible to sleep horizontally.
Airports have security features in place, including facial recognition cameras, to identify people who are lingering too long. If someone is identified as homeless, the airport staff may call the cops or the feds, which could result in negative attention and potential legal consequences.
