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Living in an airport indefinitely may seem like an impossible task, but some people have managed to do it for extended periods. While most cases of living in an airport are involuntary, some individuals have chosen to make airports their temporary homes. Factors such as visa issues, protesting, asylum-seeking, and homelessness can contribute to people residing in airports for days, months, or even years. The length of stay can vary depending on the individual's ability to remain inconspicuous and the airport's busyness. Notable examples include Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in a Paris airport for 18 years, and Roman Trofimov, who spent over 100 days in Manila International Airport due to COVID-19 visa restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for living in an airport | Protesting, asylum seeking, difficulty with visas and passports, homelessness, missed connections, cancelled flights, bad weather |
| Longest duration | 18 years (Iranian man at Paris CDG airport) |
| Famous cases | Mehran Karimi Nasseri (inspired "The Terminal"), Edward Snowden, Sanjay Shah |
| Airports with known cases of homelessness | O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Manila International Airport, airports in the United States and Europe |
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What You'll Learn
- People have lived in airports for months or years
- Reasons for extended stays include protesting, seeking asylum, and visa issues
- Airports with better facilities make extended stays more bearable
- Airports in the US and Europe have functioned as homeless shelters
- An Iranian man lived in Paris CDG airport for 18 years, inspiring *The Terminal*
People have lived in airports for months or years
People have lived in airports for months or even years, often due to homelessness, protesting, asylum seeking, or visa and passport issues. Major airports in the United States and Europe have long functioned as informal homeless shelters. For example, in 1986, the Chicago Tribune reported that 30 to 50 people were living at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, including a 44-year-old former accountant, Fred Dilsner, who had been residing there for a year. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, an Estonian named Roman Trofimov was stuck at Manila International Airport for over 100 days as Philippine authorities had stopped issuing entry visas.
In some cases, people have voluntarily chosen to make an airport their long-term home. For instance, an individual lived at Chicago Airport for three months, and an Iranian lived at Paris CDG Airport for 18 years, inspiring the movie "The Terminal." Mehran Karimi Nasseri, an Iranian refugee, was stranded at the Paris airport for an extended period due to losing his refugee status documents.
Edward Snowden, the NSA leaker, spent over a month in a Russian airport before receiving asylum. Additionally, some people may book flights that require them to stay overnight at the airport, and others may be stranded due to missed connections, cancelled flights, or bad weather. While these situations typically last only a day or two, they can occasionally lead to longer stays.
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Reasons for extended stays include protesting, seeking asylum, and visa issues
People may find themselves living in an airport for extended periods for various reasons, including protesting, seeking asylum, or facing visa issues. Seeking asylum is a legal process under international and U.S. law, and those seeking asylum must be at a port of entry, such as an airport, to request the opportunity to apply. Asylum seekers are individuals who have fled their homes in search of safety and protection in another country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. While seeking asylum at U.S. borders is legal, recent policies have restricted access to this right, making it challenging for asylum seekers to exercise their rights.
Visa issues can also lead to extended stays at airports. Overstaying a visa, even by a single day, can have consequences. In the U.S., for example, overstaying for more than 180 days but less than a year results in a three-year ban on re-entry, while overstaying for more than a year leads to a ten-year ban. However, as shown in one case, submitting an extension request before the visa expiration and explaining the situation can result in a new visa being granted without issues.
In some cases, individuals may choose to live in an airport as a form of protesting. This could be a way to bring attention to a particular issue or cause, especially if they are unable to leave the country due to legal or political reasons. Extended stays in airports due to protesting, seeking asylum, or visa issues can be challenging and uncertain, with individuals facing an uncertain future and potential barriers to their desired destinations.
The experience of living in an airport for an extended period can be isolating and challenging, lacking the comforts and privacy of a traditional home. While some airports have amenities like sleeping pods, gyms, and quiet rooms, the experience varies based on the airport and the individual's circumstances. Extended stays in an airport may also involve navigating access to basic needs, such as food, hygiene, and rest, as well as dealing with the constant movement and noise of a busy transit hub.
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Airports with better facilities make extended stays more bearable
Airports are often associated with misery, with many people gritting their teeth and powering through the experience. However, some airports have better facilities that can make extended stays more bearable, or even enjoyable.
For example, Singapore Changi Airport is known for its Rain Vortex and relaxation spaces, food choices, shopping, art, and family-friendly facilities such as toddler rest zones and nursing rooms. Changi offers a range of experiences that can make a long stay more interesting. Similarly, Incheon Airport in Seoul also offers a range of experiences, including cultural dance performances and an ice-skating rink, making it a surprising and enjoyable place to spend time.
Tokyo Haneda is another airport that is praised for its efficiency, cleanliness, and cultural offerings. Its streamlined facilities and punctuality make it a favourite for both leisure and business travellers. The ease of navigating Haneda, combined with its delicious food options, make it a convenient and pleasant place to spend extended periods.
Some airports in the US have also been recognised for their exceptional facilities. For instance, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport has been praised for its "impeccable and beautifully designed" restrooms, complete with fresh flowers by the sinks. The airport also offers a range of food options, including local favourites, and a Little Free Library for travellers looking for some reading material.
Additionally, Munich Airport offers a unique experience with its outdoor ice-skating rink and in-house brewery, giving travellers a taste of Bavarian culture during their layover. Zurich Airport also stands out for its thoughtful amenities, such as a bike rental service that allows passengers to explore the surrounding area during long layovers.
While living in an airport for an extended period may not be ideal, airports with better facilities and a range of experiences can certainly make the stay more bearable and even memorable. These airports showcase how efficiency, comfort, and convenience can be combined to enhance the travel experience.
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Airports in the US and Europe have functioned as homeless shelters
While airports are not designed to be lived in, some people have managed to stay in them for extended periods. Airports in the US and Europe have become temporary shelters for the homeless, offering warmth, safety, and access to basic amenities.
In the US, cities like Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, Honolulu, and Washington DC have seen an increase in homeless populations taking shelter in their airports. The Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, for instance, has been described as a "second home" by one homeless individual, who appreciated the hot and cold running water, access to food, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and even free blankets. Similarly, the LaGuardia terminal in New York has also been a popular choice for the homeless, until officials announced they would close the terminal to all but ticketed passengers during late-night hours.
In Europe, London and Frankfurt airports have also been used as temporary accommodations by the homeless. The most notable case, however, is that of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years, inspiring the movie "The Terminal."
The reasons for choosing airports as temporary shelters vary. Some individuals cite the safety and accessibility of airports, while others appreciate the lack of restrictions on carrying possessions. Additionally, the availability of basic amenities, such as food, water, and bathrooms, makes airports more accommodating than traditional shelters, which may have issues with violence, theft, and bed bugs.
While airport officials generally try to provide aid to these voluntary residents, they would prefer a solution where airports are not used as homeless shelters. To address this, some airports have implemented measures such as closing terminals during late-night hours or deploying crisis intervention teams to connect the homeless with housing and other services.
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An Iranian man lived in Paris CDG airport for 18 years, inspiring *The Terminal*
While it may seem like an intriguing experiment, living in an airport for an extended period is no easy feat. One notable example of someone who endured this unique lifestyle is Mehran Karimi Nasseri, an Iranian man who resided in Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) for 18 years, from 1988 to 2006. His story captured the world's attention and inspired the 2004 film "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks.
Nasseri, also known as Sir Alfred Mehran, first flew to Europe in search of his mother, who he claimed was a Scottish nurse working in Iran. However, due to a lack of proper documentation, he found himself in international legal limbo. His identity papers were allegedly stolen in Paris, leaving him stranded. With no other options, Nasseri made the airport's 2F Terminal his home, setting up camp among the trolleys and accumulating possessions over time.
During his 18-year stay, Nasseri became a familiar sight to airport staff and was even nicknamed "Lord Alfred" or "Sir Alfred" due to a mistake made by British immigration officials. He spent his days writing in his journal, listening to the radio, smoking his gold pipe, and occasionally dining at McDonald's. Despite being granted refugee status and the right to remain in France in 1999, Nasseri chose to remain at the airport until he was hospitalized in 2006.
Nasseri's extraordinary life inspired not only "The Terminal" but also a 1993 French film titled "Lost in Transit." Additionally, he co-authored an autobiography, "The Terminal Man," published in 2004. Sadly, Nasseri passed away in November 2022 at Charles de Gaulle Airport, where he had returned to live just a few months prior. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to find home and community in even the most unexpected places.
While Nasseri's 18-year stay at an airport is exceptional, it is not the only case of people residing in airports for extended periods. Some individuals have shared their experiences of staying in airports for a few days to several months, often driven by financial constraints or unique personal challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airport and the person's ability to remain inconspicuous. Some people have lived in airports for months, and even years. For example, an Iranian refugee lived in Paris CDG airport for 18 years, inspiring the film "The Terminal". However, most people only end up staying in airports for a day or two due to missed connections, cancelled flights, or bad weather.
People may live in airports due to protesting, asylum seeking, difficulty with visas or passports, or homelessness. For example, Edward Snowden lived in a Russian airport for over a month in 2013 while seeking asylum.
Sleeping can be difficult due to constant lighting, noise, and lack of a comfortable space. Additionally, airport food may be expensive and unhealthy.
