Gen Z turn British airports into their own TikTok runway

Holidaymakers are turning heads before they even board a flight, with a new survey revealing that Gen Z travellers are leading a trend for curated airport looks and the perfect social media moment at the terminal.

Research from Manchester Airport shows that nearly half (47 percent) of Gen Z respondents now plan a specific ‘airport outfit’ ahead of their journey.

One in three (33 percent) waste no time showing it off, taking photos or selfies as soon as they reach the terminal, making Manchester Airport the natural backdrop for TikTok and Instagram content.

And it’s not just about the look, many travellers say they’re a leady thinking about their trip long before they arrive.

The research shows that the average traveller mentally switches into ‘holiday mode’ almost an hour (50 minutes) before arriving at the terminal, with over half (53 percent) saying they’re already in the zone before stepping inside the airport.

Once there, browsing World Duty Free (41 percent) is the UK’s number one pre-flight ritual, followed by buying a coffee or a pre-flight drink (40 percent) and shopping for last-minute travel essentials (26 percent).

To mark this, Manchester Airport unveiled a giant 6 ft deckchair installation in Chester, within the airport’s ‘activated’ radius, the ultimate photo opportunity for future travellers to kick back and get in the mood for a holiday.

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Director of Customer Operations at Manchester Airport, said: “This survey confirms what we’ve long recognised, people love to get their holiday started at the airport, whether it’s indulging in a pre-flight meal, picking up a luxury item at World Duty Free or simply taking in the airfield views and enjoying the atmosphere.

That’s why we’ve committed to a significant investment worth £1 bn in enhancing the passenger experience across our terminals, from upgraded dining and retail options to more comfortable and efficient spaces, ensuring every journey starts on a high.

We’re proud to connect the North to the world and to give people travelling through our airport a world class experience. The airport plays a significant role in ramping up that pre-holiday excitement, and from the moment our passengers arrive at the airport, treating themselves is a big part of that tradition.”