From going through security checkpoints to dealing with unexpected flight delays, air travel is messy and then some.
To make the process go as smoothly as possible, you really need an airport dad on your team. What exactly is an “airport dad”? The term has gone viral on TikTok around 2021 when the kids started documenting their hyper-focused, multitasking fathers in airports.
These dads handle a lot of the menial tasks at the airport: carrying the group’s boarding passes, making sure everyone gets to the airport in time to get through security, making sure transportation to and from the airport is booked. They do it all with enthusiasm, and usually with dad jokes. (Moms should also be given credit here; dads may take over at the airport, but it’s usually mom who’s packed the bags, made sure everyone has the right clothes for the weather, and enough sunscreen.)
You don't necessarily have to be a real dad (or even a man) to play the role of dad at the airport: On TikTokYou'll find plenty of airport dads in their twenties, with no kids, fearlessly guiding their groups through the airport.
The dad at the airport is for everyone —and with the stress of travel these days, we need more of these people. With that in mind, we asked airport dads to share what advice they would give to someone looking to take on the role.
Make sure children have a variety of entertainment options.
Travel blogger Lee Huffman She has two children, ages 9 and 13, who both started flying at 6 weeks old. (“At this point, they have more passport stamps than most of my adult friends,” Huffman told HuffPost.)
If you're traveling with kids, Huffman says, her number one tip is to prepare all their favorite things in advance: bring their favorite snacks, charge your devices, and download videos ahead of time. Unless you want cranky kids, you don't want to miss out on entertainment at the airport.
“Keeping kids busy and well-fed is a great way to keep them happy while traveling,” he told HuffPost. “As they get older, you can involve them in the process by assigning them chores and responsibilities, but even as they become teenagers, I think it’s still a good idea to create a checklist and double-check to make sure you don’t forget anything.”
Track the flight from 24 hours before departure.
To avoid, or at least be prepared for, travel setbacks, be sure to track the flight starting 24 hours before departure, said Martin Gomez, who runs the travel YouTube channel. From tourist to local with his wife, Juliana.
“By using GoogleLook up your airline's flight number and then check the status on FlightAware“Figure out where your plane is coming from and monitor weather information there so you can prepare for delays.”
Juliana and Martin Gomez
Plan to arrive at the airport early, but not half a day early.
Forget the outdated rules that require you to arrive very early; you will spend that time only looking at the flight board waiting for your flight to appear, said Nick Demskifather of one and creator of the YouTube channel Nomad Lifestyle.
“I'm about to upset my own father, but I recommend taking the new-dad approach and accepting that two hours is generally enough for any flight to any destination,” he said.
Keep in mind that many recommend arriving for international flights three hours earlier. Demski, however, waits two hours. Sure, you'll avoid a few international flights, he said, “but it's better to feel the quick pain of unpunctuality than to die prematurely and very slowly in an uncomfortable chair wondering why you arrived so early in the first place.”
Discover the features and dining options the airport has to offer.
Rob Taylor, father of two boys and creator of 2traveldads.comlikes to research the airports his family will be flying out of: Through his Google searches, he learned that Denver has a large outdoor patio with couches and fire pits, while Punta Cana has a lounge with a rooftop pool. Meanwhile, O'Hare has iconic movie locations that his family has enjoyed checking out while waiting for takeoff.
“Being armed with something to occupy your time at the airport or add a level of fun to a layover makes you seem even cooler to the kids and adults you’re traveling with,” he said.
Take advantage of TSA PreCheck.
Taylor thinks it's definitely worth applying and paying for TSA PreCheck(The registration fee is $78.)
TSA PreCheck is a accelerated screening program which allows pre-approved travelers at U.S. airports to keep their shoes, jackets and belts on during security screening, while keeping liquids and laptops inside their bags.
“It’s been a real lifesaver for our family in terms of time and stress,” he said. “When others are traveling with us, we make sure to communicate to them well in advance the importance of these services and have encouraged our traveling companions to sign up for their benefit and ours.”
Fill water bottles with frozen ice.
Liquids of any kind are not allowed, but did you know that ice is allowed through the checkpoint provided it is completely frozen when checked?
“Fill water bottles with ice helps ensure cold drinks throughout the travel day, keeping everyone healthy and hydrated while traveling,” Taylor said. “If someone forgets to fill their water bottle before boarding the plane, they’ll at least have ice to enjoy until beverage service.”
Use the airport lounges.
If you have the option to relax in an airline lounge, don't hesitate, Demski said. (Some ways to get access: Have a premium travel credit card, be enrolled in an airline-specific loyalty program, or be the guest of someone with access.)
“You get free food and drinks, and a quiet, safe place to relax and stretch out,” Demski said. “Your whole family can rest and gorge themselves without ever thinking of thanking you. That’s what being a dad at the airport is all about: Like an umpire in a baseball game, you do a good job even though you’re totally ignored.”
Take advantage of airline loyalty programs.
If you travel frequently, make a strong effort to stick with one airline and earn loyalty points, Taylor said.
“There are a lot of benefits, including being one of the first to board thanks to your status,” he said. “When you travel with a carry-on like we do, it means you’re almost guaranteed easy storage space in the overhead bin, which saves you time and stress.”
Remember to relax and have fun.
If you're an airport dad — or thinking about becoming one — you probably already have a mental map of every airport in the country, complete with the best coffee spots and secret shortcuts to the gate, Gomez said. But remember: It's your trip, too — try to relax and have fun.
“You’re not flying the plane. You don’t have to arrive five hours early and explain to TSA how to do their job,” Gomez said. “Your carry-on doesn’t need a zombie apocalypse survival kit. Enjoy the ride.”
