The Weird Psychology of Airports

The more sinister problems involving travellers appear to have worsened over recent years, with increasing air rage incidents and flight diversions.

- Steve Taylor

Many of us have witnessed unusual and even anti-social behaviour at an airport or on a flight. This may range from benign acts such as sleeping on the floor or doing yoga in front of the flight information display system, to serious incidents like early morning drunken arguments or even trying to open the aeroplane doors mid-flight.

These more sinister problems appear to have worsened over recent years, with increasing air rage incidents and flight diversions. Such incidents have led to calls to reduce or even ban the sale of alcohol at airports and on planes. Ryanair, for example, has called for a two-drink limit at airport bars to stop drunken incidents on planes.

But what is it about airports that make us behave differently? Let's take a look at the psychology.

Many holidaymakers feel that the adventure begins at the airport, putting them in a different frame of mind to normal. They are eager to begin their one or two weeks of relaxed hedonism with a flourish.

Others, however, are anxious about flying, which may make them act out of character or take refuge in alcohol. The noise and crowds of airports don't help, either. As the field of environmental psychology has demonstrated, human beings are very sensitive to our immediate surroundings, and can easily become "overloaded" by stressors such as crowds and noise.

Stress and anxiety produce irritability, both on a temporary and ongoing basis. People who are generally anxious are more prone to anger. And a temporary anxious mood often triggers angry outbursts.