Here at Avanti Travel Insurance, we recently discovered that pre-flight rituals are undergoing a generational revolution. While the traditional image of grabbing a pint at Wetherspoons – regardless of the time – still holds true for some travellers, younger generations are embracing health-conscious alternatives that are reshaping airport culture entirely.
As discussions around evolving travel habits continue, we wanted to understand how different generations actually behave at airports and what drives their pre-flight choices.
How did we do this?
We surveyed 1,073 British travellers across all age groups to examine pre-flight behaviours. The study covered everything from drinking and eating habits to stress management and exercise preferences. Participants were split into generational groups – Gen Z (13-28), Millennials (29-44), Gen X (45-60), and Boomers (60+) – to identify clear patterns in airport behaviour.
What did we find?
Results revealed stark differences across all aspects of airport behaviour, from what people drink to how they manage stress. These generational quirks can make travelling together a fascinating mix – or a bit of a juggling act – especially if you’re navigating different routines, priorities, and even airport pacing styles.
And while it’s fun to explore how our pre-flight rituals differ, it’s worth remembering that smooth holidays aren’t just about what happens at the airport. Booking your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip is one of those small but important steps that can save a lot of stress later, no matter which generation you’re travelling with.
Attitudes towards food and drink
Alcohol consumption patterns
The study reveals significant differences in airport drinking habits across generations. Millennials are most permissive about drinking times, with 30% saying “any time is fine” for alcoholic drinks at airports.
Gen Z shows an interesting pattern – while 17% are willing to drink before 10am, they’re also the generation most likely to avoid alcohol completely (10% don’t drink at all). In contrast, 31% of Boomers don’t drink at airports compared to just 17% of Gen X and 12% of Millennials.
Beverage choices
Younger generations favour healthier options. Gen Z leads in smoothie and juice consumption at 41%, compared to just 6% and 15% of Boomers and Gen X respectively. Energy drink consumption follows a similar pattern, dropping from 32% among Gen Z to 7% and 2% among Gen X and Boomers.
Coffee and tea remain popular across all ages, but consumption increases with age – from 44% of Gen Z to 64% of Boomers.
Meal timing and choices
Gen Z approach airport dining differently than older generations. 43% choose substantial meals (fast food or main courses) regardless of time, compared to 14% of Boomers.
When it comes to traditional options, full cooked breakfasts peak with Millennials and Gen X – 18% of each group opt for the full fry-up, compared to 12% of both Gen Z and Boomers.
Older travellers are more likely to eat based on time appropriateness – 22% of Boomers say their meal choice “depends on time of day” compared to just 5% of Gen Z.
Staying active
Exercise facility demand
We asked survey participants whether they would use a gym facility if airports were to offer one. Responses vary dramatically by age. 57% of Gen Z say they would use airport gyms compared to only 9% of Boomers – a 48-percentage point difference.
This interest translates to action: 55% of Gen Z have already exercised at airports versus 29% of Boomers. Other groups like Gen X (39%) and millennials (52%) have also already exercised at airports. The survey defined airport exercise broadly – from walking around terminals and stretching to yoga and using existing gym facilities where available.
Barriers to airport activity
Despite high interest, practical obstacles limit Gen Z’s airport exercise. 57% cite carrying luggage as the main barrier, while 42% point to lack of facilities. Medical conditions become a bigger barrier with age, affecting 11% of Boomers and 6% of Gen X compared to 3% of Gen Z.
Managing stress and pre-flight anxiety
Pre-flight anxiety levels
Gen Z experience the highest levels of pre-flight stress. Only 15% of them don’t experience pre-flight anxiety compared to 47% of Boomers – a 32 percentage point gap.
Digital coping methods
Social media serves as the primary stress relief method for 48% of Gen Z. This decreases with age: 41% of Millennials, 22% of Gen X, and 9% of Boomers use social media to manage stress.
Active vs passive stress management
Younger generations prefer active approaches. 30% of Gen Z and millennials use exercise or movement for stress management, dropping to 17% and 9% among Gen X and Boomers. Similarly, 26% of Gen Z use meditation or breathing techniques compared to 4% of Boomers.
Reading becomes more popular with age, increasing from 27% of Gen Z to 38% of Millennials.
Ways to kill time
Long layover preferences
During layovers lasting 4+ hours, generational differences become clear. 49% of Boomers and 47% of Gen X seek quiet spaces to rest, compared to 25% of Gen Z and 27% of millennials.
Gen Z are more likely to focus on eating and drinking during long waits (30% versus 15% of Boomers) and twice as likely to shop (12% versus 4%).
Phone and social media usage
Digital device usage shows the starkest generational divide. 81% of Gen Z use phones or social media while waiting for flights, compared to 78% of Millennials, 67% of Gen X, and 49% of Boomers.
Shopping and duty-free
Contrary to expectations, Gen Z spend the most time duty-free shopping (36 minutes on average) compared to Boomers (24 minutes). 37% of Boomers complete quick browsing sessions under 15 minutes, while Gen Z prefer longer shopping experiences. Other age groups like also preferred shorter shopping sessions with 34% of Gen X and 27% of millennials keeping their duty-free activities under 15 minutes.
These findings highlight how travel behaviours are evolving and the importance of understanding these changes. Whether you’re a frequent flyer managing pre-flight anxiety or someone exploring new wellness approaches to travel, having comprehensive travel insurance ensures peace of mind regardless of how you choose to spend your airport time.
Avanti Travel Insurance offers tailored coverage for all travellers, including travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, so you can focus on your pre-flight rituals knowing you’re properly protected.
