Airport dad has been crowned Britain’s most common travel personality

The findings are part of Manchester Airport’s Holiday Mode: Activated campaign, which identifies four unique personality types according to how people spend time at the airport before boarding.

After the Airport Dad, the second most common personality is the “Switch-Off Specialist”, the traveller who looks for a quiet spot to relax or people-watch. That’s followed by the “Terminal Foodie”, who says every holiday should start with a meal or drink, and the “Shopaholic”, who browses airport shops before take-off.

More than four in ten Brits see themselves as the Airport Dad, according to a new study by Manchester Airport. (Image: Manchester Airport)

The research suggests airports, with their wide variety of food, drink and shopping options, such as Great Northern Market, Joe & the Juice, Rituals, Boutique Mall and LEGO at Manchester Airport, have become much more than simply somewhere to catch a flight.

More than one in ten people (13%) say their holiday begins the moment they arrive at the airport, while almost a quarter (24%) enjoy food or drink during the hour before boarding. Separately, 14% say shopping forms part of their ideal pre-flight routine.

The poll of 2,000 Brits also found that 42% typically arrive at least three hours before departure, filling their time by people-watching 23%, relaxing with a coffee 22% or browsing shops and World Duty Free 22%.

Manchester Airport’s campaign centres around this, encouraging Brits to switch into holiday mode from the moment they step into the airport, rather than when travellers land at their destination.

Travellers can discover which airport personality type they are thanks to a new interactive Airport Personality Quiz from Manchester Airport. The quiz matches travellers to one of the four personalities while showcasing the variety of places to eat, shop and relax across the airport.

The new departure lounge at Terminal 2 has more than doubled in size since its £1.3 billion transformation. It features six kitchens at Great Northern Market food hall, a premium boutique mall and an airport-first Fever-Tree cocktail and champagne bar, alongside stores like LEGO and Pandora.

To celebrate summer 2026, passengers can also enter a competition to win prizes tailored to their airport personality, ranging from shopping and dining experiences to a dream holiday.

Richard Jackson, Retail Director at Manchester Airport, said: “Everyone experiences the airport in their own unique way. Some people are counting down to boarding from the minute they arrive, while others get straight into holiday mode with a meal or shopping.

“Our new Airport Personality Quiz celebrates those different travel personalities while highlighting just how much there is to enjoy before take-off.

“Whether you’re an Airport Dad, a Terminal Foodie, a Shopaholic or someone who simply likes to switch off, there’s something for everyone at Manchester Airport.”

For more information, please visit the website here: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-facilities/shopping/

https://hosted.pushplanet.com/MAN/AIRPORT-PERSONALITY-COMPETITION

THE FOUR AIRPORT PERSONALITIES:

Airport Dad

• 52% constantly check departure boards
• 42% arrive at least three hours early
• 35% keep everyone’s passports together.

Switch-Off Specialist

• 41% enjoy people-watching
• 39% take everything at their own pace
• 15% immediately put on headphones and relax

Terminal Foodie

• 39% treat themselves to food or drink
• 35% browse restaurants before boarding
• 13% say the celebrations start with cocktails or a meal

Shopaholic

• 36% browse even without needing anything
• 20% buy gifts or treats
• 16% head straight for World Duty Free