Poor boarding etiquette, cramping the baggage belt and too few staff are some of the things which wind up British people about airports.
With the golden age of air travel far behind us and replaced by the intensity of budget airlines, moving through an airport in 2023 is certainly not a stress-free experience.
From having to get up at the crack of dawn and cramming a week's worth of possessions into a carry-on backpack, to being scalped by expensive airport restaurants, time spent in the airport isn't always great.
The discerning travellers of Mumsnet have shared the aspect of this experience which wind them up the most, answering the question 'what annoys you most about airports?'
Not knowing hand luggage rules
One mum was irked by passengers who failed to adhere to the 100ml liquid rule.
"People who walk passed the multiple signs at Heathrow telling them about the rules on liquids (written and pictorially) and express outrage when said liquids get confiscated or they spend ages already at the conveyor belt digging out all of their little bottles," they wrote.
The good news is that airport liquid rules are set to change by 2024 with the 100ml restriction being scrapped. London City Airport has already scrapped the rule, with other airports set to follow suit - we've got a guide as to when you can expect the changes.
People who don't move their trays
Once you're finally through security you can breath a content sigh of relief now that getting to the boarding gate and buying a sandwich is the only thing between you and catching a flight.
That is, except fellow passengers with an apparent lack of self awareness when it comes to tray placement.
"The people who, instead of moving their tray to the little cubicles designed for the purpose, they stand at the exit to the baggage scanner putting on shoes, belts, watches etc causing a backlog through the people scanner," one mum griped.
Standing close to the carousel
At the end of a long flight all you want to do is quickly scoop up your belongings and head home.
This is made that much harder by people who take up too much room at the baggage reclaim belt, one discerning commenter has said.
"People standing really close to the baggage reclaim belt with massive trolleys waiting for their bags blocking access to everyone whose bags are actually there," they wrote. "I rather rudely just push in and grab mine."
Staff shortages
Last summer airports across the country suffered from major staff shortages following the coronavirus pandemic.
Unsurprisingly, this annoyed people. "Inadequate numbers of Borders Agency staff," one mum wrote.
"Flights are known about months in advance if not longer, school holidays effectively decided years in advance, and Christmas/Easter had their dates fixed before the Montgolfier brothers became the first to fly."
Stealing overhead lockers
"That there is no check on what carry on people are taking onboard," another mum wrote about their least favourite bit of airport behaviour.
"People arrive with a wheelie bag, hand bag and rucksack (or similar variations) and shove it all in the over head lockers and I end up with no legroom because my rucksack has to go under the seat.
"If checks were done to stop the CFs taking the kitchen sink into the cabin, there would be enough space for everyone.
"Ditto those who sit there ignoring the repeated announcements to not put their coats in the overhead bins."
Rushing to the gate
As much as we all want to be settled on the aircraft, worries left behind, ready for take off rather than milling around in the airport terminal, patience is key.
"When they announce that the gate has opened for boarding and people stampede to get in the queue and then stand there for ages," one mum wrote.
"Generally I'll only join the queue when it's moving and fairly short, such as near the end. My seat has been assigned and the flight isn't taking off without me."
In fact, one pilot previously revealed that rushing to the gate is the biggest mistake passengers can make!
