Scoot Over, Sleeping Beauty!
Speaking of people snoozing in airports, let's look at this sleeping beauty right here. Contorting her body to slip through the seats' armrests, she managed to lie down comfortably with room to spare! We reckon she'd be in a lot of trouble, though when someone another traveler comes and asks her to scoot over.
Still, we've got to commend her for getting creative with the resources she had. Flight packages that come with a bed—private suites, in fact—are usually in first-class and are therefore highly pricey. According to Business Insider, those top-notch seats cost 70% more than ones in economy class.
Talk About An Air Traffic Jam!
This photo may seem like a total nightmare for drivers who've become tired of traffic jams. No worries, though! This shot, taken at the Los Angeles International Airport in 2014, is actually the composite of several airplane takeoff photos and not an actual image of heavy traffic in the airways.
Titled "Wake Turbulence," it's part of a photo series by photographer Mike Kelley, who created his "AIRPORTRAITS" project over the course of 93 days and 25 flights. That said, we bet he became his travel agent's favorite client in the process of making his fascinating photographs!
Be Careful Where You Stand
As it turns out, you can never be too careful about where you stand. Just look at this bearded gentleman, who unwittingly "wore" a red bikini bottom at the airport. And it seems like he wasn't aware of the optical illusion, much to the pleasure of the person who snapped this photo.
Interestingly, the man walking behind became part of the illusion, too, with his torso aligning perfectly with the climbing legs on the poster. Oh well, no harm done, at least. Just another day at the London Luton Airport in England!
She'll Blow You Away
The woman in this photo will truly blow you away. This is Maria Pettersson, a commercial pilot for the Ireland-based budget airline Ryanair. And aside from sitting on turbine engines, she's gotten the attention of over half a million Instagram users for her impressive accomplishments.
Originally from Sweden, she often shares stunning photos of her travels, including bikini-clad snaps of her doing yoga on the beach. Pettersson, aka Pilot Maria, also marked various milestones throughout her career, earning her third stripe and logging in 3,500 hours of flying as of 2021.
Now, That's A Pickup Line!
Speaking of airport pickup signs, here's another hilarious one we found. On the surface, it appears that this car service driver was simply trying to hit on his client by referring to her as the "smokin' hot Italian chick." That wasn't really the case, though.
As it turns out, this guy is just a husband with a good sense of humor. He shared this photo on Imgur under the username Blastergv9 and shared that he picked up his wife at the airport dressed as a driver as a joke. And although it embarrassed her at first, she ended up loving the idea!
Just Another Day In The North Pole
You've heard of birds causing flight delays before, but we bet this is the first time you see a polar bear doing the same. As it turns out, you can expect scenes like this if you're coming from an airport located in the Arctic Circle.
According to Atlas Obscura, the Wiley Post–Will Rogers Memorial Airport in Barrow, Alaska, has experienced various animal interruptions throughout the years. This photo, for example, shows a polar bear crossing the runway one day in 2003. Airport workers have also had to call animal protection services on bearded seals, oxen, and caribou!
You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do
Traveling by plane can be unpredictable, with flight delays due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. It looks like this man has gotten the hang of sleeping at the airport during layovers, though! He even figured out a way to get cozy while also keeping his luggage secure.
Hey, at the of the day, you gotta do what you gotta do to get some rest! Yes, even if it involves a potentially neck-breaking sleeping position. Hopefully, he's got a nice hotel resort waiting for him at his destination to make for the hours he spent in discomfort.
A Giant Welcome For Mokie
We've got to say, this Mokie guy is one lucky fellow. Judging from his brother and mom's effort into welcoming him home, it's clear that he's been missed a lot! And after a year at university, he probably felt the same about his family.
If you're curious how to get a similar sign made, all you have to do is blow up the picture you want, have it printed, and then paste it on cardboard. We reckon going this route will make finding the person you're fetching easier, too. It's hard not to stand out from the crowd holding up a giant head!
Good Luck Checking In With That "Extra" Baggage
Well, here's another photo that shows the reality of traveling with kids. Tired from all the walking and lugging things around, it seems like this little girl has given up on walking altogether and became one with her dad's baggage!
That's certainly bad news, given the strict weight limits that airlines implement on their flights. For example, British Airways won't accept bags that go over 70 pounds as checked baggage. So, we feel dad would have no choice but to carry his sleeping travel companion aboard the plane unless he wants to spend extra on heavy bag charge.
Who Says Face ID Is Only For Gadgets?
Now, here's a valuable tip you'll probably never see on CNN's "Business Traveller" program! Perhaps tired of losing his bags or finding it hard to spot his luggage on the baggage carousel, this man found a genius solution: having a photo of himself on his rolling luggage.
Who says face ID is only useful when it comes to gadgets? That said, we're honestly surprised this hasn't become a trend yet, given how genius it is. This photo even garnered a ton of attention when posted on Imgur and picked up by the newspaper Metro in 2015.
Grandma Did Her Best
Playing harmless pranks on each other is not unusual for many families. Take this one, for example. Heading on to the Salt Lake City International Airport to welcome their grandmother, these three kids got roped into their dad's antics by holding up this sign.
Hopefully, grandma still appreciated the gesture despite having her personal business revealed to the world. She did her best while in rehab, and her family is just expressing how proud they are of her journey to sobriety. Although maybe next time, she'll think twice about asking her family to fetch her at the airport.
Landing Strip Or Beach?
Imagine this; you're relaxing by the beach and enjoying the sun. Suddenly, the warm sunlight disappears, and you hear the loud growls of a giant engine overhead. You open your eyes and see a plane just a couple of feet above. What would you do?
Take your camera out and snap a photo, of course! If you traveled all the way to Sint Maarten's famous Maho Beach, chances are high you were planning on plane spotting anyway. Remember to be extra careful, though, as the proximity of the landing strip to the tourist beach has claimed at least one life, according to Men's Journal.
When You Run Out Of Jet Fuel
Without context, this photo of a group of little persons hauling a plane is bizarre. Did the aircraft run out of fuel? Is it even possible to move something this large? But it's even stranger once you find out the story behind it.
Apparently, this is one of the challenges presented in a program called "Man Vs. Beast." In this episode, 44 little persons raised against an elephant to pull a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 jet. The elephant reportedly won, but we still commend this team of humans for trying. After all, the airliner they hauled is much larger than your typical private jet!
He Fell (Asleep) In Line
Airports are notorious for long waits and even longer lines. So, we can't blame this man for falling asleep while falling in line. Besides, he looks so comfortable on the floor you'd think he was dozing off on a luxury hotel bed!
What's more, this strange scene reminds us of the true story behind the film "The Terminal" starring Tom Hanks. A man named Mehran Karimi Nasseri slept, ate, and lived inside one of the terminals at the Charles de Gaulle Airport for several years until 2004. That said, this sleeping man's antics now seem mild compared to that!
Watch Out, Airplane Crossing
It's not unusual to see train tracks intersecting roads, but we bet you've never seen a highway and a runway share the same space before! What you're looking at here is the crossing between the Gibraltar International Airport runway and the four-lane Winston Churchill Boulevard.
According to the website Interesting Engineering, the road is closed to let landing planes cross and opens back up again after. While this arrangement causes a lot of traffic, it still doesn't deter tourists from flocking to Gibraltar to enjoy its Mediterranean setting and collection of luxury and boutique hotels.
Piper: The Border Collie Patrol
It's no secret that birds can cause trouble for pilots trying to land aircraft. But did you know that there are actual workers whose job it is to herd birds away from a plane's path? That's where Piper the Border Collie comes in to save the day!
Dressed in uniform and protective earmuffs, he once worked for the Cherry Capital Airport, driving away wildlife off the runway and boosting his co-workers' morale. Sadly, Piper, who gained fame in 2016, passed away in 2018, leaving his human partner Brian Edwards to carry on their valiant duty.
Hold Up, Woody!
TSA officers are given the right to confiscate objects that can pose a security threat to passengers. So, we were surprised to see Woody getting frisked at the airport and having the toy gun that came with him taken away. What trouble could such a tiny toy possibly cause anyway?
It's worth noting that the TSA website reiterates that toys that are realistic replicas of firearms and explosive devices are prohibited. Even water guns must be emptied before being brought onto the plane, whether they're kept in carry-on or check-in baggage.
Ruining A Passport 101
Traveling with children is a gamble. Just when you thought everything was going smoothly—you've found a cheap flight and booked good seats—kids will still find a way to stir the pot. That's what this dad found out when he and his son ended up stranded in South Korea in 2014.
The reason? Well, according to India Today, the son decided it was a good idea to scribble on his dad's passport, perhaps to pass the time while waiting for their flight. Armed with a black pen, the boy spared no space with his elaborate drawings practically invalidating the official document.
State Of The Art "Pet Relief"
It looks like air travel for pets has seen giant strides, too, over the years. These days, you'll find "pet relief" stations in many airports across the United States. This particular one can be found at the San Diego International Airport, which made sure to create a state-of-the-art space for pets on the go.
According to the airport's website, the relief station is equipped with its own fire hydrant, artificial turf, and waste bags. These convenient stations can be found near every terminal, except for one. According to the American Kennel Club, places like Philadelphia International and Dulles International Airport also have similar facilities.
Highway Roller
Not everyone is willing to splurge on car rental services when traveling. And that's probably how this bizarre scene came to be. With only a motorbike available to pick them up, this traveler made do with what they had at the moment and towed their luggage on the airport highway.
And we've got to say, we're both impressed and a little bit scared for them. Although an ingenious solution, this could have ended badly too, had the traveler's luggage lost its wheels and gone off careening on the road. So, let this be a warning for you all not to try the same stunt!
Friends Who Travel Together, Sleep Together
We have a feeling this group of friends has traveled a lot together. They may have different sleeping styles, but it seems like they've perfected the art of resting in not-so-ideal conditions while also guarding their luggage. Impressive, though we're a bit worried about the guy lying with his face down on the floor!
We're curious, too, about what happened that left them stranded in an airport for hours. Perhaps the travel agent they hired to arrange their trip forgot to tell them about a layover? Oh well, guess that's just part of the misadventures that come with traveling as a group.
Just A Quick Layover Stretch
Unfortunately, scoring a cheap flight typically means flying coach and sitting in cramped conditions for hours on end. That is why frequent travelers like Sarah Ezrin of the blog Yoga Journal encourage flyers to perform a couple of quick, standing and sitting stretches during a layover.
However, this yogi took things to the next level when they brought out their mat and started performing inversions right on the airport's dirty floors. What we find even more interesting, though, is that nobody seemed to pay the yogi any attention despite the strangeness of their actions!
Guess, Who's Coming To Visit?
It's no secret that grandmas love cooking for their families. And it looks like the nana, who brought this rolling pin with her aboard the plane, is no exception. Maybe the kitchen tools at her son-in-law's home are not up to par with her high culinary standards?
Safe to safe, she's among the lucky ones who got away with packing such unusual things in her luggage. As the TSA told WNEP-TV, seemingly innocent items like rolling pins can be flagged at the airport as they can potentially be used as a weapon. Likewise, bringing other kitchen tools like meat tenderizers is also discouraged.
Around The World With 80 Falcons
When you're a wealthy Saudi prince, you can afford to fly with your prized falcons, maybe even pay for a charter flight, to travel the world. That's kind of like what the owner of these 80 falcons did when he bought his birds seats on a commercial flight.
As expected, this photo went viral when posted on Reddit in 2017. Netizens had a lot of questions about the rather bizarre image, too, with many wondering why the prince didn't just buy his own plane if he could afford to buy that many tickets for his birds of prey anyway.
Keep It Moving, Lovebirds!
Saying goodbye is difficult, especially for lovers parting to embark on a long-distance relationship. Unfortunately, the authorities of Aalborg Airport in Nørresundby, Denmark, don't seem to be that sympathetic about the plight of these lovebirds. And this sign summarizes their "Kiss And Goodbye" policy.
To keep things moving and perhaps avoid clogging the airport's passenger drop-off area, they have elected to limit kisses to just three minutes and under. Totally understandable, really, considering that Aalborg Airport is the third busiest one in the country, according to the travel information website AirMundo.
Star Wars: Return Of The Sith Lord
As you may already know, Darth Vader technically died in "Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi" in the original trilogy. But it looks like the Sith Lord returned from the dead and hitched a ride with United Airlines to do his dark bidding once again.
Okay, well, not really. This Darth Vader and his crew of Stormtroopers are actually a group of volunteers dressed up in costume to help travelers celebrate May 4th, aka Star Wars Day, in 2015. According to Thrillist, the team spent the day going around the Denver International Airport and getting into various shenanigans.
Meanwhile, In The Year 3022
When we think of the far future, we imagine scenes like this wouldn't be so uncommon. You know, just a couple of robot buddies getting their metal boots shined by humans in the year 3022! In reality, though, these two were probably just "Doctor Who" fans having some fun.
Dressed as Cybermen from the popular British sci-fi show, they hit up Heathrow Airport in London, perhaps on their way to a "Doctor Who" convention. We do have to wonder how they managed to slip through all of the airport's detectors with all that metal on!
Just A Couple Of Old School Travelers
Now, here's a new take on time traveling. Instead of literally hopping across different time periods, this pair of old school travelers appear to be taking gadgets of an era gone by with them on their trips. The woman on the right, for example, was spotted at a Seattle airport with a bulky typewriter in tow.
Perhaps she's a writer with a looming deadline and is not a big fan of laptops? Whatever the case is here, we're left to wonder how much her vintage device weighed and whether it caused her carry-on luggage to go over the weight limit.
These Penguins Are No Longer "Flightless"
Penguins are among the handful of birds that can't fly. So, you can say these cute creatures are making history by finally taking flight, albeit with the help of an airplane. Here they are waddling to board their plane at the Norfolk International Airport in Virginia.
According to the Busch Gardens Williamsburg YouTube channel, this adorable pair are Magellanic penguins named Peter and Penny. They came from SeaWorld San Antonio and traveled aboard a Southwest Airlines flight to head to the Virginia amusement park in time for the start of the holiday season in 2013.
Disturb At Your Own Risk
Traveling in economy class may be the most affordable option for many travelers, but it also has downsides. It can be challenging to get comfortable sitting there with cramped seats, crying kids, and noisy seatmates, let alone get some sleep on a long flight!
This mas has it all figured out, though. As if taking cues from the maxim of the three wise monkeys, he got a blindfold, a mask, and a headphone to tune out everything that was going on around him. So, disturb him at your own risk because he's clearly strapped in for a peaceful ride!
A Dangerous Game Of Luggage Tetris
Can you imagine walking underneath these massive towers of luggage? No worries, though! You won't accidentally get hit by falling bags because this is just an art display at the Sacramento International Airport Terminal A baggage claim area.
According to Atlas Obscura, the baggage pillars stand at about 23 feet each and contain approximately 700 pieces of luggage balancing on top white carts. The installation is the work of sculptor Brian Goggin, who dubbed it "Samsom" in 1998. We reckon, though, that Luggage Tetris would have been a fitting name to his marvelous artwork, too!
Sorry, Sister, It's Just Protocol
Now, this photo caused quite a stir when it made rounds on the Internet in 2016. From what we can tell, it shows a nun getting a routine frisk from a TSA officer while passing through an airport. Some people politicized the innocent scene, though, because the officer was wearing a headscarf and made comments like "Only in Obama's America."
According to the website Truth Or Fiction, this photo was actually taken in 2007, during the Bush administration, at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. At the end of the day, it can be interpreted as a display of blind justice, subjecting everyone to the same security checks regardless of their faith.
It's The Thought That Counts
We've got to be honest; this sign threw us for a loop. Try as we might, this little girl's handwriting was too difficult for us to decipher! We get the gist of it, though, so let's hope her grandma still has good enough eyesight to spot her adorable welcome crew upon arrival.
Besides, it's the thought that counts anyway! Meemaw was probably just happy to finally see her family again after a long time apart and have them pick her up from the airport instead of turning to a car rental service.
Turning The Tables On The TSA
With authority to search travelers' personal items and luggage, it's usually the TSA who is catching people with their pants down. So, the person who took this photo of an agent playing solitaire while at work turned the tables on the agency.
From what we know, the TSA agent's identity was never revealed. Still, we're hoping that they've since focused more on their sworn duties playing games on their work computer. We're sure that scanning bags for weapons and preventing wanted criminals from slipping through the airport are of utmost importance.
"You Shall Not Pass!"
Contrary to popular belief, airport walkways are not just for the lazy. They're a convenient way of getting around for travelers in a rush and those who aren't capable of walking long distances. Unfortunately, the latter got the short end of the stick in this hilarious scenario.
It looks like the elderly lady in blue unwittingly caused a "You shall not pass!" moment when she took up a good portion of this walkway. Perhaps trying to be polite, the people behind her just decided to stand behind and ride this one out. Not all of them look happy about the sudden delay, though.
Fast Vs. Free
Fast-charging stations are heaven-sent, especially if you're an impatient person or just someone's who's always on the go. Uhm, a full battery in 30 minutes for just a couple of bucks? Yes, please! But judging from this airport snap, not everyone would prefer that option.
When faced with the choice of a free charge with a longer waiting time or a fast charge with a fee, the phone owner on the floor picked the free option. And we can't blame them. Traveling is expensive enough, so saving on little things could make a difference.
Meet Me In Saskatoon
There's just something about the Christmas season that makes people want to propose, it seems. In a scene reminiscent of the film "Meet Me In St. Louis," Matt Eagle from Canada proposed to his girlfriend Jasmine Godoy upon her arrival in Saskatoon just days before Christmas in 2013.
Fortunately, he had his professional photographer friend Jenna Rutherford on the sidelines to capture the romantic gesture. Godoy said yes, and this photo of their special moment went viral online. Aside from the happy couple's intense expressions, the image also caught surprise in the faces of the bystanders behind them.
Because Words Aren't Enough
Sometimes, words just aren't enough to convey the gravity of a warning. And so, the authorities at this airport in Sint Maarten, a Caribbean country that's part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, decided to take things to the next level by illustrating their signs.
We're on their side on this one. According to the Washington Post, an unfortunate traveler visiting from New Zealand has already fallen victim to a jet engine blast from a plane. She passed away in 2017 while partaking in the popular activity of plane spotting at the Princess Juliana International Airport.
Getting Back At Mom
Okay, okay, the woman this family is picking up at the airport wasn't a newly released inmate. As a Reddit user who goes by "richardec" shared, his friend and his kids were just fooling around with these TMI (too much information) signs.
Fortunately, the wife took things in stride and enjoyed the joke. She even took this photo to commemorate the event! We're guessing pranks are not frowned upon in this family, so maybe she's cooking up ways to get back at her husband and kids in the future.
Some Oddly Specific Banned Items You Got There
When you think of potentially dangerous items, a festive snow globe and a tropical fruit aren't really what comes to mind first. But as it turns out, some countries' airport authorities have cracked down on these oddly specific things. So, what gives?
The TSA banned snow globes in carry-on bags after a terrorist plot. It's since allowed the passengers to travel with the glass spheres again in 2012 though there are still some size restrictions. Meanwhile, the stinky fruit durian is banned in certain hotels and planes, according to Newsweek. It even stranded an Indonesian airliner when passengers complained of its potent smell.