As travelers book vacations for 2025, a new report reveals an emerging trend when it comes to airport travel.
Booking.com has released its annual list of travel predictions for 2025, and one trend, the “gate escape,” has people embracing pleasant experiences at the airport.
The Booking.com website says, “2025 is set to be the year the airport takes its place in the spotlight, as travelers actively seek out destinations with the best airports. … This trend marks a shift towards working people making the most of their holidays from the moment they leave their homes.”
Ben Harrell, US managing director at Booking.com, told Fox News Digital via email that passengers arriving at the airport early is not only practical, but part of the journey.
“These spaces are turning into gateways to relaxation and entertainment. There’s an argument about whether life is about the journey or the destination, but in the journey, it’s increasingly about both,” Harrell said.
Twenty-seven percent of Americans are now considering specific airports when choosing a destination, with 52% feeling more excited and less stressed when airports have unique experiences, according to Booking.com.
“For many travelers, especially Gen Z and millennials, it’s no longer about rushing through security; it’s about embracing experiences,” Harrell said.
Thirty-four percent are excited about the spa offerings, and 28% are excited to enjoy the sleep drinks.
In June, New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport launched the Delta One Lounge, offering fine dining and lounge dining, Fox Business reported.
JetBlue also plans to open an 8,000-square-foot lounge in late 2025.
“Airports are becoming destinations in their own right, with American travelers ready to make every stopover a memorable start to their trip,” the travel forecast report said.
Now, instead of waiting at a crowded gate, it seems that more travelers can, as Booking.com puts it, add “real value to the overall travel experience right from the start.”
Other catchy labels or new terms for travel trends have made headlines in recent months.
In October, Fox News Digital reported that American Airlines announced it was testing new technology to stop a travel phenomenon known as “gate lice,” which is when passengers cut lines in hopes of getting on an early flight.
The system beeps when a passenger tries to board the plane before a specific task is called.
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