$83B Wasted: Showing Up at the Airport 3 Hours Before Your Flight

a year ago by RSS Bot to c/hackernews

Maybe the biggest failure in air travel is something we don’t talk about at all. How is it possible that people are being told to show up at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before their flight, and that isn’t considered a failure of massive proportions?

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sthetic 17 points a year ago

We’ve turned airports into shopping malls, because airline passengers aren’t an airport customer they’re the product to be sold to. Longer dwell times to fill with shopping, therefore, have become a feature not a bug.

Restaurants, too!

Even if you resist the urge to buy books and souvenirs at the airport, arriving 3 hours early will probably mean you need to eat a meal that you would have otherwise eaten at home or at a cheaper restaurant.

And even if you're not hungry, you might choose to sit in a comfy seat at one of the airport bars, having a few drinks and appetizers.

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jarmitage 32 points a year ago

Fun fact, Portland International Airport mandates street pricing, meaning items should cost the same as they would outside the airport.

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Tronn4 7 points a year ago

Jsut flew out of San jose and a whole pizza was $45

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possumparty 3 points a year ago

Sounds nice in theory, but the Hudson shops still charge a small fortune for a bottle of water and a bag of trail mix. I will say, however, that the restaurant pricing is good. I had a burger and a beer at the spot over the arrivals exit in the main terminal and didn't get ripped off.

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MangoPenguin 1 point a year ago

DIA does a similar thing too IIRC

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SpaceNoodle 3 points a year ago

That's why I pack snacks and bring my Steam Deck.

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