A new study has revealed that while many Brits arrive at the airport hours before their flight to avoid stress, a staggering six million have still missed a flight.
Early Arrivals and Missed Flights
The research, conducted by taxi company Veezu, found that one in three Brits arrive at the airport four or more hours before takeoff, despite airlines recommending two to three hours. However, this caution hasn't prevented missed flights, with six million Brits having missed a flight at some point.
On the other end of the scale, 2% of Brits are comfortable arriving just an hour before their flight, and 1% arrive less than 60 minutes before departure.
Gender and Regional Differences
The study also found that women are more likely to arrive early to avoid stress, with 24% of women admitting to this, compared to 20% of men. There is also a clear North/South divide, with those living in the south far more likely to have missed a flight.
Common Airport Mishaps
Veezu's research identified the most common airport mishaps, with having to pay for extra baggage being the biggest issue, affecting 15% of Brits. Other common problems include going to the wrong terminal (10%), forgetting to check in online (8%), and forgetting a passport (5%).
Bad traffic is the most common reason for missing a flight (41%), followed by losing track of time in the airport (31%), oversleeping (just under a quarter), and delays at security (17%).
The data also shows that 28% of Brits prefer taking a taxi to the airport as their ideal mode of transport.
Sally Krouma, a spokesperson at Veezu, said: "Getting a taxi to the airport is a great way to kick-start your holiday. There is enough stress on the day when you're trying to do last-minute packing and get everyone out the door on time, and knowing someone can drop you right in front of the airport is just one less thing to worry about."
She added: "If you're driving or have a loved one dropping you off, it's vital to know your route and to be aware of any roadworks. It's tempting to leave airport travel to the last minute as there are so many things to plan with holidays, but getting it wrong can throw your whole trip into chaos."
