The Strange Psychology of Airports and Unusual Passenger Behavior

Analysis: The haziness of time and place at airports creates a sense of disorientation which means we may end up acting out of character

By Steve Taylor, Leeds Beckett University

At airports, we’ve all witnessed travelers behaving in unusual or even anti-social ways. From sleeping on the floor or practicing yoga in front of flight information screens to more serious incidents like drunken brawls and attempts to open plane doors mid-flight, these behaviors seem to defy normal etiquette. This article delves into the psychological reasons behind such actions, examining how the unique setting of airports can strip away our usual inhibitions.

The Impact of Alcohol in Airports

The increasing number of air rage incidents and flight diversions has sparked discussions about the sale and consumption of alcohol at airports and aboard planes. Ryanair, for instance, has called for a two-drink limit at airport bars to curb disruptive behavior. But why does alcohol seem to exacerbate strange behavior in airport settings?

One theory is that the high-stress environment of airports—marked by crowds, noise, and heightened anticipation—makes people more susceptible to the effects of alcohol. For some travelers, drinking can serve as a coping mechanism for pre-flight anxiety or a way to celebrate the start of their vacation. However, this can sometimes result in anti-social behavior as inhibitions are lowered.

Avoiding the Norm: How Airports Create Disorientation

Psychologists suggest that airports are unique environments that create a sense of disorientation. The concept of psychogeography suggests that places can influence our emotions and behaviors. In airports, this influence is intensified due to a combination of factors.

First, airports are liminal spaces—zones that exist halfway between one place and another. National borders blur, and once you pass through security, you enter a temporary no-man’s-land without clear boundaries. This haziness of place can make it difficult to define oneself, leading to a sense of disorientation.

Second, the hazy concept of time at airports can further contribute to this disorientation. As you prepare to cross time zones, the future often looms larger in your mind than the present. This intense focus on the future can lead to frustration, especially when flights are delayed, creating a sense of helplessness and anxiety.

The Role of Liminality and Identity Dilation

The distancing from daily routines and familiar environments means that travelers may feel adrift, leading to a temporary dissolution of their self-identity. This can result in behavior that is out of character, as we often behave differently when not tied to our usual roles and responsibilities.

In some cases, the liminality of airports can be invigorating rather than frustrating. The feeling of stepping outside of time and place can be liberating, allowing travelers to express themselves in ways they might not in their normal lives. However, this same lack of constraints can also lead to negative, anti-social behavior when combined with the effects of alcohol.

Freudian Perspectives on Passenger Behavior

From a psychological standpoint, the behavior we see at airports can be understood through the framework of Sigmund Freud’s theories of personality. Freud’s concept of the id, or our primal instincts and desires, suggests that we have a constant struggle between the id and the ego, which provides the restraints on our more impulsive urges.

In environments like airports, where usual restraints are loosened, the id may have a greater chance of expressing itself. Alcohol can further diminish inhibitions, making it easier for the id to take over and potentially leading to more aggressive or disruptive behavior.

The Call for Limits on Alcohol Consumption

The issue of alcohol at airports is complex and multifaceted. While banning alcohol outright may seem drastic, it is a potential solution to the problem of air rage and flight diversions. Given the many factors that encourage anti-social behavior at airports, a legal boundary on alcohol consumption might be necessary to maintain order.

The Liberating and Disorienting Nature of Airports

While airports can lead to strange and sometimes disruptive behavior, they also offer a temporary escape from the often confining nature of daily life. For some travelers, the experience of stepping outside of time and place can be invigorating and liberating. This disorientation can lead to a sense of adventure and excitement, especially when combined with the anticipation of the vacation to come.

Whether caused by psychological or environmental factors, and even if only temporary, disorientation can have detrimental effects

Ultimately, the unusual behavior we witness at airports reflects the unique psychological and environmental factors that make air travel a blend of excitement, anxiety, and disorientation. While steps can be taken to mitigate negative behavior, such as limiting alcohol consumption, it’s important to recognize the complex interplay of factors at work in these liminal spaces.

Four men have been arrested for disruptive behaviour on board a flight which was due to take off from Dublin Airport https://t.co/RyX2iAfrO5

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 22, 2025

From NBC’s TODAY show, the US Federal Aviation Administration is reporting a dramatic increase in bad and even violent behaviour in airports and on planes

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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ

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