Travel is generational like anything else, and the quirks we carry into airports tell stories about the worlds we grew up in
I was sitting at LAX last month, waiting for my flight to board, when I caught myself people-watching. Airports are perfect for that. Everyone’s in motion, but the little quirks stand out if you pay attention.
That’s when it hit me: some habits instantly reveal how old a traveler probably is. And while these are lighthearted observations (not judgments), they say a lot about how different generations navigate the same space.
So, let’s talk about the little things boomers do at airports that make them easy to spot.
1. Printing every single document
Have you noticed how many boomers arrive with a manila folder stuffed with printed boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and even directions to the rental car desk?
Meanwhile, the rest of us are waving a phone screen at the gate agent.
I get it—paper feels safe. No battery can die, no app can crash. But the bulging travel folder is like a neon sign flashing “boomer.”
2. Dressing for a flight like it’s still the 1980s
Comfort matters, especially when you’re crammed into economy. But some outfits scream another era.
Think pleated khakis, loafers polished within an inch of their life, or the infamous travel vest with about seventeen zippered pockets.
Younger travelers lean toward athleisure—hoodies, joggers, and sneakers designed to slip off at security.
Boomers? They’ll often look like they’re halfway to a country club meeting.
I once sat next to a guy wearing a blazer for a six-hour domestic flight. He spent half the time tugging at it, trying to get comfortable. That’s commitment to formality, but it gave his age away instantly.
3. Carrying cash—lots of it
Cash has become optional in most places. Airports especially are set up for tap-and-go payments. But I’ve watched boomers pull out thick wallets stuffed with bills, exact change included, while everyone else waves a card or phone.
There’s also the budgeting angle. As Phocuswright’s U.S. Traveler Report 2025 notes, nearly one in four Baby Boomers spend $6,000 or more per trip, compared to Millennials and Gen Z who usually stay under $1,000. I suppose when you spend that kind of money, it makes sense to carry a “just-in-case” stash.
Still, cash counting at the Starbucks line feels like a generational tell.
4. Talking loudly on the phone in the gate area
This one always cracks me up. Boomers will take a business call—or sometimes just a casual chat with a friend—at full volume, no hesitation.
Maybe it’s partly cultural. They grew up in a time when a phone call was always a big deal, and texting wasn’t even an option. So when they pick up the phone, it’s natural for them to treat it like a main event.
The result? Entire waiting areas end up knowing about Bob’s knee surgery or Karen’s new kitchen remodel.
5. Boarding as early as possible
Ever notice who’s lined up at the gate before the agent even makes the announcement? Nine times out of ten, it’s boomers.
For them, getting on the plane first feels like winning. It means guaranteed bin space, no squeezing past strangers, and the comfort of settling in before the chaos starts. It’s less about impatience and more about control.
Younger travelers, on the other hand, usually don’t care. They’ll sit back, scroll their phones, and happily be the last to board. If the backpack fits under the seat, that’s good enough.
Boomers, though? They’ll pay extra for the privilege of being in Group 1, even if it just means sitting on the plane longer.
6. Traveling with giant suitcases
Most younger travelers have mastered packing light—partly for convenience, partly to dodge baggage fees.
Boomers? They’re more likely to check large suitcases. I once watched a couple struggle with two oversized bags and a hard-shell carry-on each. They’d basically packed their entire bedroom.
It makes sense, though. If you grew up in an era when airlines didn’t charge you for every bag, traveling with “options” wasn’t a penalty—it was normal. Old habits die hard, I guess.
7. Reading actual newspapers and books
Don’t get me wrong, I love print. I collect photography books, and there’s nothing like flipping through real pages.
But at airports, this one stands out.
Younger travelers scroll feeds, download e-books, or binge Netflix on their phones. Boomers, on the other hand, still grab a physical newspaper or pull a thick novel from their bag.
It’s charming, actually. There’s something grounding about paper in a place where screens dominate. But it does date the traveler instantly.
The bottom line
These habits aren’t bad—they’re just markers of a different era. Travel is generational like anything else, and the quirks we carry into airports tell stories about the worlds we grew up in.
Boomers bring structure, tradition, and a certain kind of preparedness to travel that younger generations rarely bother with. At the same time, younger travelers lean into flexibility, minimalism, and convenience.
Neither way is “better.” But if you’re people-watching at the gate, spotting these little patterns can make the layover a whole lot more entertaining.
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