The Airport Romance Report: Locations for romantic encounters

Of all the places to spark a connection with someone, airports are surely the most exciting. Perhaps it’s because you’re already in the mood for adventure and discovery, or maybe it’s because you’ll soon be jetting off to your destination and may never see that person again, which adds a sense of mystery. They may have an exotic accent, or a perfect tan, or a fresh perspective on life that you don’t come across in your hometown. Or maybe you simply have a thing for people wearing a travel pillow around their neck?

Whatever the case, it’s safe to say that even the most fleeting airport romance makes for some precious memories. We wanted to explore this further, so we surveyed people around nine major airports to find out how they feel about meeting people while waiting for a flight.

For more data-backed guides, check out the trending capital cities in the US, and the most anxious airport travelers. Read on to discover people’s attitudes towards airport romances, and how many have experienced love among the luggage tags.

Jump to a section of the report

• Most romantic airports in the U.S.
• Best airports to make new friends
• Least romantic airports in the U.S.
• Airports where people have met their partners
• Demographics most interested in an airport romance

Most romantic airports in the U.S.

First, we asked people if they’d ever had a romantic airport encounter or connection. Orlando International Airport had the most positive responses, where 31% of people said yes. The lowest was Philadelphia International Airport, with only 21% of people agreeing they’d ever experienced romance in that setting.

Between these figures, we have LAX (30% of people said yes), ATL (30%), JFK (28%), SEA (28%), DTW (27%), ORD (24%) and EWR (24%).

Best airports to make new friends

There’s a big difference between a romantic connection and simply having an enjoyable chat, so we also asked people if they have ever made friends in airports.

Surely the number of people answering positively to this question will be much higher, right? Actually, no, as the highest agreement was in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where 16% of people said they made friends in airports. The lowest was O’Hare International Airport, with only 7% of people agreeing, which may mean the Windy City is actually the least chatty.

Here’s how many people in the other airports answered yes: DTW (15%), JFK (14%), SEA (14%), PHL (13%), LAX (12%), MCO (10%) and EWR (10%).

Least romantic airports in the U.S.

There will always be hotspots for airport romances, which means there will also be places at the other end of the scale. To determine this, we asked people if they have ever fancied someone at an airport.

With hundreds of thousands of people using airports every day, it must be easy to spot someone among the crowds who you fancy. Still, quite a few people answered “no” to this question. In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and JFK, 23% said they have never fancied someone at an airport.

The figures get even higher from here, with 24% at MCO, 26% at DTW and LAX, and 28% at PHL, EWR, ORD and ATL all saying no.

Airports where people have met their partners

With a more positive view, we also asked people if they had met their partner at an airport. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport was a particularly romantic place, as 9% of people said that yes, they had indeed met their partner at an airport. The one with the least airport-inspired partners was Newark Liberty International Airport, with just 5% answering “yes” to this question.

Between the two we have ATL, ORD, LAX and JFK all with 8%, SEA with 7%, and PHL and MCO with 6%. Still, when you consider the many barriers in the way of an airport romance, not least that they may be from another country, these figures are actually quite encouraging.

Demographics most interested in airport romances

Our final question was “Do you love or find the idea intriguing? After all, hitting it off with a stranger in an airport is a very romantic, exciting and heart-warming idea for people of all ages. Let’s see what everyone said…

The airport with the most people who voted yes, with 29% showing just how romantic they are, was Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Next was John F. Kennedy International Airport with 27% and Philadelphia International Airport with 25% saying they loved the idea or found it intriguing. The figures then dip below one-quarter, as only 24% of people in Newark Liberty International Airport answered yes. In both Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Orlando International Airport it was 23%. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and O’Hare International Airport were even lower, with only 22% agreeing.

The absolute lowest, and this may come as a surprise, was Los Angeles International Airport. Here, a mere 20% of people said that they love the idea of an airport romance or find the idea intriguing. Perhaps they’re so used to Hollywood blockbusters and Netflix romantic dramas that they’re looking for something more original these days?

Did any of these statistics surprise you? Did you think that there might be more romance in the air at LAX, or that more people would chat with each other at O’Hare? Most importantly, are you going to put extra effort into your outfit the next time you visit the airport to catch a flight?

Regardless, if you want to turn up to your flight in style, make sure you reserve your airport parking in advance, to secure the best deal.

Methodology

Surveyed 200 flyers from each state using 3Gem.com

FAQs About Airport Romance

1. What is an airport romance?

An airport romance is when two people meet and feel a spark while waiting at the airport. It could be a short flirt, a friendly chat, or even meeting someone special for the long term.

2. Which U.S. airport is the most romantic?

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the top spot. 31% of travelers said they’ve had a romantic moment there.

3. Can you really meet someone special at an airport?

Yes! While it’s not super common, the survey found that up to 9% of people met their partner at an airport.

4. Why do airports feel romantic?

Airports are exciting and full of strangers from all over. Travelers are relaxed and open to new experiences. That mix makes sparks more likely to fly.

5. Which airports are best for making friends?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) came out on top. 16% of travelers said they’ve made friends there while waiting for a flight.

6. Which airports are least romantic?

Some airports have fewer sparks. Atlanta (ATL), O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), and Philadelphia (PHL) had the most people saying they’ve never fancied someone there.

7. Who likes airport romances most?

People of all areas find airport romance fun. But airports like Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) and JFK had more travelers saying they find the idea exciting.

8. Can an airport romance last?

Sometimes! A few travelers reported meeting their long-term partner at an airport. So yes, fleeting sparks can turn into lasting love.

Main image: Mayur Gala – Unsplash