9 things boomers always do at airports that annoy younger travelers

Airports are already stressful places. Between long security lines, confusing signage, and the constant fear of missing a flight, no one’s at their most patient.

But there’s one group that tends to get singled out—boomers. Not because they’re intentionally trying to make travel harder for everyone else, but because some of their airport habits just don’t mesh well with how younger generations navigate modern travel.

I’ve seen it myself more times than I can count. And if you’ve ever been stuck behind one of these behaviors, you probably know the exact mix of frustration and silent eye-rolling I’m talking about.

So let’s get into it: here are nine things boomers do at airports that drive younger travelers up the wall.

1. Arriving at the airport five hours early

Younger travelers tend to cut it close, often relying on mobile boarding passes, TSA PreCheck, and carry-ons to breeze through. Boomers, on the other hand? Many show up at the crack of dawn for an evening flight.

Is there anything inherently wrong with this? Not really. In fact, it’s arguably the safer choice. But when they crowd the gate area hours in advance—eating up seats, setting up camp—it creates unnecessary congestion for those actually boarding soon.

I once landed at JFK and headed to my next gate, only to find a group of boomers stretched out like they were claiming territory. Sandwich wrappers, suitcases sprawled across three chairs, and a crossword puzzle laid out like it was their living room. Meanwhile, passengers on the current boarding flight had nowhere to sit.

It’s a clash of travel philosophies: safety buffer versus efficiency.

2. Printing every single document

In the age of digital everything, watching someone fumble through a stack of printed confirmations, hotel bookings, and boarding passes can be both endearing and exasperating.

Younger travelers keep everything on their phones. A quick scan of the airline app, and they’re set. But boomers often cling to paper copies “just in case.”

I’ve stood behind someone at security who pulled out a binder—yes, a binder—of documents, trying to find the correct boarding pass. It took longer than it should have, and the line groaned in unison.

The irony? Younger travelers usually carry backups too. Just not in hard copy. They rely on cloud storage, screenshots, or emails. It’s not that boomers are wrong to want a physical copy—it’s just that the method doesn’t fit the faster flow airports now expect.

3. Standing up the second the plane lands

You know this one. The plane touches down, the seatbelt sign is still on, and suddenly the aisle is packed with people grabbing their bags.

Boomers didn’t invent this move, but they seem especially committed to it. Maybe it’s the old habit of trying to get a head start before connections. Maybe it’s impatience. But for younger travelers, who prefer to sit tight until the rows clear, it feels like needless chaos.

I once watched a man nearly topple onto another passenger’s lap because he yanked his bag down too early. Everyone gasped, and he muttered something about “needing to stretch.”

A bit of patience would go a long way.

4. Talking loudly on the phone

This isn’t limited to airports, but the acoustics of a busy terminal make it particularly grating. Whether it’s calling the neighbor to check on the dog or updating the family group chat about every gate change, the volume often reaches “announcement system” levels.

As travel psychologist Dr. Michael Brein has noted, “Loud conversations in public spaces disrupt the shared social contract of travel, where everyone is already under stress.”

Translation: the rest of us don’t need to hear the play-by-play.

It’s not that younger travelers don’t make calls—they do. But earbuds, quick texts, and voice notes keep the noise down. It’s about reading the room—or in this case, the terminal.

5. Packing way too much

Minimalism isn’t always a boomer strong suit when it comes to travel. Younger generations often stick to carry-ons, while boomers wheel in giant suitcases, plus “just-in-case” bags, jackets, and duty-free extras.

That overpacking usually means longer waits at baggage drop, slower boarding while overhead bins fill up, and occasional frustration when someone’s oversized carry-on won’t fit.

I once helped a woman try to cram her massive roller bag into the overhead compartment. After several failed attempts, she sighed and said, “They told me it would fit.” The flight attendant eventually had to gate-check it, causing a delay for everyone behind her.

Younger travelers, raised on budget airlines with strict bag rules, often pride themselves on packing light. So when someone drags half their closet through the terminal, it feels unnecessary.

6. Treating gate agents like personal assistants

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen boomers step up to the counter and launch into long-winded questions: “Can you rebook me on a different flight, change my seat, and check if my miles transferred from 1987?”

Meanwhile, there’s a line of people behind them just trying to confirm a simple detail.

One gate agent once confided to me during a delay: “We don’t mind answering questions, but sometimes passengers treat us like travel concierges. It slows down the process for everyone else.”

To younger travelers, who are used to handling changes with a few taps on their phone, this approach feels outdated—and inconsiderate.

7. Clapping when the plane lands

This one’s almost charming, but also universally mocked. The spontaneous applause at touchdown might make sense if you’ve survived a particularly bumpy ride.

But routine flights? Younger travelers often cringe at the gesture. To them, it highlights the generational gap in travel culture: one group sees flying as a marvel of technology worth celebrating, the other sees it as routine—like taking the bus.

That said, there’s a psychological twist here. Applause releases tension. For those who grew up when flying felt more dangerous—or at least less common—the clap is almost instinctive.

It’s not offensive, just a little embarrassing.

8. Blocking walkways without realizing it

Airports are high-traffic zones. Every hallway, moving walkway, and escalator is designed for flow. But boomers often stop right in the middle—to check a text, consult a printed map, or dig through a bag.

Younger travelers, who move quickly and rely on their phones for navigation, find this maddening. It’s like hitting a human speed bump.

One time in O’Hare, I watched a whole moving walkway grind to a halt because a couple stopped right at the end to decide whether to turn left or right. The chain reaction nearly caused a pile-up.

A simple step to the side would make all the difference.

9. Ignoring new security protocols

Airport security has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Shoes off, liquids in a bag, laptops out—unless you’re enrolled in a trusted traveler program.

Yet some boomers still seem caught off guard every single time. Belts set off alarms. Water bottles get confiscated. Coats and jewelry cause repeat scans.

It’s not malicious—it’s habit. But younger travelers, who’ve grown up with TSA rules drilled into them, get frustrated watching the same mistakes delay the line again and again.

As one TSA officer once bluntly put it: “The rules haven’t changed in years. The only thing slowing down the line is people not paying attention.”

For millennials and Gen Z, who pride themselves on efficiency, this is perhaps the most maddening boomer move of all.

Final thoughts

Here’s the thing: none of these habits make boomers “bad travelers.” Most of them come from a mix of caution, outdated routines, and a genuine desire to feel prepared.

But when you stack them up in the pressure cooker of airport travel, it’s easy to see why younger generations get annoyed.

The good news? With a little awareness, airports don’t have to be a battleground of generational habits. A bit more patience on both sides—and maybe fewer printed boarding passes—could make the whole experience smoother for everyone.

At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to get where we’re going. And maybe that’s the one airport truth everyone, boomer or not, can agree on.