Roberta Aguirre
Airports are often associated with drinking, even in the mornings. There are several reasons why people drink at airports. For some, it is a way to calm their nerves or help them sleep on the plane, while others may view it as a way to get the party started or treat themselves before their flight. The airport is also seen as a “non-place”, where people feel detached from their everyday lives and rules, which can make drinking seem more acceptable. Additionally, airports are designed to encourage spending, and with the increased security measures, people often arrive hours early, leading to boredom and drinking to pass the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | People are often at the airport early in the morning, and it can feel like a different time zone. There is no real sense of time at an airport, and people coming in from all over the world are on different times. |
| Place | Airports are a "non-place" or "blip in space and time" where people feel anonymous and rules no longer apply. |
| Occasion | Drinking at the airport can signal the start of a trip or holiday. |
| Normalisation | Drinking is normalised at airports, and people may feel that it is expected or encouraged. |
| Accessibility | Alcohol is easily accessible at airports, with bars, restaurants, and duty-free samples available. |
| Boredom | People may drink at airports due to boredom or to pass the time while waiting for their flight. |
| Stress and anxiety | Some people drink to calm nerves, reduce stress, or help them sleep on the plane. |
| Socialising | Drinking can be a social activity, and people may drink at airports if they are travelling with others. |
| Price | Some people drink at airports due to the availability of free alcohol in airport lounges. |
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What You'll Learn
To calm nerves and help with sleep
Drinking alcohol at the airport, even in the morning, is a common occurrence. Many people drink to calm their nerves and help with sleep during the flight.
Airports tend to be associated with a lack of sense of time, with people coming and going from different time zones. As one researcher puts it, "It really is 5 p.m. where they woke up." This sense of timelessness can contribute to the perception that drinking at any time of day is acceptable. Additionally, airports are often viewed as ""non-places," where individuals feel detached from their usual identities and social norms, further encouraging drinking outside of typical societal constraints.
For some, drinking at the airport may be a way to cope with pre-travel anxiety or fear of flying. Alcohol can help to relax and calm nerves, making it easier to manage the stress of air travel. It can also aid in falling asleep on the plane, especially for those who find it challenging to sleep during flights.
The availability of alcohol at airports also plays a role. With bars, restaurants, and duty-free shops offering a variety of alcoholic beverages, it can be easy to indulge in a drink or two while waiting for a flight. Additionally, the often-high prices of airport drinks may influence travellers to get their "money's worth," leading to more drinking.
While drinking at airports can have its benefits for some, it's important to practise moderation and be mindful of potential negative consequences, such as dehydration, increased heart rate, or impaired judgement. Responsible drinking ensures that individuals can still enjoy a drink to calm their nerves and aid sleep without adversely affecting their travel experience or the experience of those around them.
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To celebrate and get the party started
Drinking at the airport is often associated with celebration and excitement as it marks the beginning of a trip or holiday. The airport is seen as a unique place where the usual social conventions around drinking do not apply. The sense of being in a "non-place" or a ""timeless, placeless boat" can make people feel more inclined to indulge in a drink, especially if they are celebrating the start of their travels.
For many, drinking at the airport is a way to get into the holiday spirit and enhance the excitement of going on a trip. It is a way to treat themselves and do something a bit extravagant before their flight. The airport becomes a space where people can transition from their everyday lives to the leisure time of their vacation. The availability of duty-free alcohol and airport lounges with open bars can also encourage people to drink.
Additionally, the airport drinking culture is often influenced by the early morning or late-night flight schedules. People may find themselves at the airport very early in the morning or late at night, and the unusual timing can make a drink feel more acceptable. The lack of visual cues indicating the time of day, such as sunlight or familiar surroundings, can further contribute to this perception.
The airport also offers a sense of anonymity, where people from all walks of life come together as fellow travelers. This sense of solidarity can foster a drinking culture, especially for those who do not get to travel often and want to celebrate the occasion. The airport becomes a place where people can temporarily set aside their everyday identities and embrace the freedom of travel, even if it is just for a drink or two before their flight.
Lastly, the airport drinking culture is also influenced by the availability of alcohol and the captive audience that airports provide. With the increase in security measures, passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport hours before their flight, providing ample time to pass by having a drink. The airport becomes a place where people can socialize, relax, and create a sense of community, even if it is just for a brief moment in the midst of their travels.
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To treat oneself and do something extravagant
Airports are often viewed as a "'non-place'", a transient space where people are stripped of their usual identities and contexts. This sense of detachment from everyday life can make the airport feel like a place where normal rules and social conventions do not apply, including those around drinking.
The airport can be a stressful place, with the potential for crowds, long waits, and the hassle of security checks. Drinking can be a way to take the edge off and relax before a flight, especially for those who struggle with flying or are facing a long journey ahead. It can also be a way to pass the time, as people often arrive at the airport with hours to spare and limited entertainment options.
The airport drinking culture is also fuelled by the availability of alcohol at almost every turn. From duty-free samples to airport lounges with open bars, there are ample opportunities to indulge. The captive audience of travellers, often with time to kill and expense accounts to tap into, makes for a lucrative market for airport bars and restaurants.
For some, airport drinking is about treating oneself and embracing a sense of extravagance. It can be exciting to indulge in a morning cocktail or a fancy glass of champagne, especially when it's a special occasion or the start of a long-awaited holiday. The airport can feel like a place where it's acceptable, even expected, to splurge and indulge in something a little out of the ordinary.
The sense of freedom and anonymity that comes with being in an airport can also contribute to this feeling of treating oneself. People may feel more inclined to indulge in a little extravagance when they are away from the judgements and expectations of their everyday lives. The airport becomes a place where one can embrace a different identity, even if just for a little while.
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To pass the time and relieve boredom
Drinking at the airport is often associated with passing the time and relieving boredom. Airports are designed to be captive spaces, with bars, shops, and restaurants catering to travellers waiting for their flights. The availability of alcohol, combined with the unique atmosphere of airports, can make drinking an appealing way to pass the time.
Airports, with their endless security checks, boarding procedures, and time-zone-less environments, can feel like a "non-place," as French anthropologist Marc Augé describes it. In this context, drinking can be a way to signal the "start" of a trip, a transition from the mundane to the exciting. It can be a way to get into the holiday spirit, to celebrate, or simply to make the waiting process more enjoyable.
The airport drinking culture is also influenced by the diverse range of people passing through. As Michael Sayette, an alcohol researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, points out, people from all over the world with different time zones converge in airports. The concept of "happy hour" becomes blurred, and the usual social conventions against day drinking are relaxed. It's not uncommon to see people enjoying a drink at 7 am or indulging in a fishbowl G&T, as noted by a commentator.
The airport experience can also be stressful and boring, with long layovers, flight delays, and the monotony of waiting in lines. Drinking can be a way to relieve boredom, enhance the airport experience, and make the time pass more pleasantly. Additionally, the availability of free drinks in airport lounges, as mentioned by some travellers, can further encourage drinking as a way to pass the time and make the most of the amenities offered.
While drinking at airports can be a way to pass the time and relieve boredom, it's important to drink responsibly and be mindful of potential consequences, such as dehydration, increased heart rate, and the risk of inconvenience to others. As one traveller noted, drinking in moderation is key to ensuring a pleasant airport and flying experience.
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To signal a transition to a new set of rules
Drinking alcohol at the airport is often associated with a sense of freedom and a departure from everyday life. The airport is a unique space, described by French anthropologist Marc Augé as a "non-place", where individuals are stripped of their usual identities and contexts. As author Edward Slingerland puts it, "a person entering the space of non-place is relieved of his usual determinants... He becomes no more than what he does or experiences in the role of passenger."
In this transient and liminal environment, the usual social conventions and time cues no longer seem to apply. As one traveller observes, "there is no real sense of time at an airport". The airport terminal could be considered a “timeless, placeless boat”, where the normal rules of daily life no longer seem to hold. This sense of detachment from everyday routines can make the airport feel like a space where "everything's okay".
The airport drinking culture is also influenced by the unique mix of emotions and experiences associated with travel. For some, drinking at the airport is a way to celebrate the start of a trip or holiday. It's a way to "get the party started" and treat oneself before boarding a flight. For others, it may be a way to calm nerves, reduce the stress associated with flying, or help with sleep during a long journey.
Additionally, the airport environment itself plays a role in encouraging drinking. Airports often feature multiple bars, restaurants, and duty-free shops that promote alcohol consumption. With travellers arriving early to allow for increased security checks, they may find themselves with hours to kill before their flight, leading some to indulge in a drink or two.
Ultimately, drinking at airports can be seen as a way for travellers to signal a transition to a new set of rules. It's a brief period where the usual constraints of time and social expectations are relaxed, creating a sense of freedom and excitement as individuals embark on their journeys.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be many reasons why people drink at airports. Some people might drink to calm their nerves, while others might want to get some sleep on the plane. Some people might see it as a way to get the party started, while others might just want to treat themselves.
Airports are often seen as a "non-place", where the normal rules of time and space do not seem to apply. People come and go from different time zones, so it might be 5 pm where they woke up. There are also fewer social cues that drinking is unacceptable at that time of day.
Airports have become increasingly locked down and secure since 9/11, and people now arrive hours early for their flights. This has created a captive audience for airport bars, restaurants, and shops.
Drinking at the airport is a common occurrence. People often drink to signal the "start" of their trip and take advantage of airport lounges with open bars. However, some people choose not to drink at airports due to the high prices and the potential for dehydration and jet lag.
