We are edging closer to that time of year when holidaymakers morph into airport mode.
With teabags and marmite safely packed, having a pint and a full English at 4am becomes wholly acceptable.
And it seems, these habits are quintessentially British.
Researchers surveyed 2,000 Brits heading on holiday and revealed as many as 81% agree that there are certain airport and aeroplane attributes that give a Brit away in a crowd.
According to the survey by TUI, 64% believe that arriving at the airport hours before your flight just ‘to be on the safe side’ is the marker of a Brit on holiday.
This was followed by loudly declaring ‘feel that heat’ when stepping off the plane (39%).
Meanwhile, 36% think checking if everyone has been to the loo before boarding the plane is a common characteristic. In addition to this, one in three (32%) believe you aren’t a true Brit unless you head straight to the pub at the airport, no matter how early it is.
Appointing someone in the group to keep hold of all the tickets, passports and details was supported by 29%, and apologising profusely to the passenger next to you when you need the loo on the plane (28%) also made the list.
It seems us Brits also like to have a piece of home with us while we are lapping up the sunshine.
A quarter (26%) think packing your own tea bags and marmite is a classically British holiday trait.
However, travelling doesn’t come without some aggravations – 35% say that the most stressful part of a holiday is airport security and actually getting to the airport.
Packing is also an irritant, with 34% noting that is causes the most stress.
When the 100ml rule is removed, four in 10 (46%) are most looking forward to being able to walk through security with a full bottle of drinking water, while a third (31%) are excited to carry perfume.
A spokesperson for TUI said of the survey: ‘We know there’s nothing more exciting than getting ready for your holiday, getting to the airport, boarding the plane and arriving at your destination and we can’t wait to take millions of people away this summer.
‘Travelling rituals certainly make travel more memorable for Brits, like having the early morning big breakfast and tipple. However, we still recommend that customers don’t arrive for their flights too early.’
15 signs you’re a true bit when going on holidays
- You arrive at the airport hours before your flight ‘to be on the safe side’ – 64%
- You believe a Full English is acceptable at 4am – 49%
- You say, ‘oooh feel that heat’ as soon as you step off the plane – 39%
- You ensure everyone has been to the loo before boarding – 36%
- You head straight to the pub as soon as you get through security – 32%
- You repeatedly check the boarding gate – 32%
- You panic while going through security for no reason whatsoever – 31%
- You have allocated someone to hold the passports, and itineraries – 29%
- You apologise to the passenger next to you for needing the loo – 28%
- You have packed your own teabags and marmite – 26%
- Despite arriving early, you still invariably end up running to your gate – 26%
- You queue patiently at the gate even though there is an hour until the flight – 26%
- You stand up and wait to get off the plane as soon as it lands – 24%
- You battle to find the best spot to pick up your luggage from the luggage belt – 20%
- You arrive at security with all your liquids loose in your hand luggage – 18%
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