Arriving hours before your flight and Eating a Full English at 4am are two of the ways to spot Brits at the airport, according to a new survey.
Researchers surveyed 2,000 British holidaymakers and revealed as many as 81 percent agree there are certain airport and aeroplane traits that are quintessentially British, with half (49 percent) believing only a true Brit would deem it acceptable to eat a Full English at 4am in the morning.
According to the survey by TUI, topping the list of British traits is arriving at the airport hours before your flight just ‘to be on the safe side’ (64 percent), followed by loudly declaring ‘feel that heat’ when stepping off the plane (39 percent).
Checking if everyone has been to the loo before boarding the plane (36 percent) also made the list, while one in three (32 percent) believe you aren’t a true Brit unless you head straight to the pub at the airport, no matter how early it is.
Appointing someone in the group to keep hold of all the tickets, passports and details (29 percent) and apologising profusely to the passenger next to you when you need the loo on the plane (28 percent) also made the list.
A spokesperson for TUI said: “We know there’s nothing more exciting than getting ready for your holiday, getting to the airport, boarding the plane and arriving at your destination and we can’t wait to take millions of people away this summer. Travelling rituals certainly make travel more memorable for Brits, like having the early morning big breakfast and tipple. However, we still recommend that customers don’t arrive for their flights too early.”
A quarter (26 percent) think packing your own tea bags and marmite is a classically British holiday trait, while 24 percent reckon Brits always stand up as soon as the plane lands.
So it’s no surprise that one in two (48 percent) think it is easy to spot a Brit in a foreign airport.
A third (35 percent) say that the most stressful part of a holiday is airport security and actually getting to the airport (35 percent) with a half (54 percent) admitting they have had to throw away liquids, to an average value of £5.00.
Survey conducted by Perspectus Global of 2000 Brits in April 2023
