Why Airports Feel Like Time Warps — and How to Stay Grounded

Table of Contents

The Strange Spell of Airports (aka My Embarrassing Confession)

Why Airports Mess With Our Sense of Time

Jet Lag, Circadian Rhythms, and That Zombie Feeling

The Psychology of “Non-Places” (What Even Is That?)

Stories From My Own Airport Twilight Zone

How to Stay Grounded When Time Stops Existing

Random Tangents I Swear Are Connected (Somehow)

Small Comforts That Actually Help

Final Thoughts (Am I Even in the Same Time Zone Right Now?)

A Question for You (Because I’m Curious and Nosy)

1. The Strange Spell of Airports (aka My Embarrassing Confession)

You ever sit in an airport, glance at your phone, and swear ten minutes passed… but actually, it’s been two hours and you’ve somehow eaten a stale pretzel, scrolled through Instagram twice, and considered buying a neck pillow you definitely don’t need? Yeah. That’s me.

My most embarrassing airport confession: I once spent four hours sitting in a gate area in Frankfurt without realizing my flight had been delayed by… oh, just another four hours. I didn’t move. Didn’t even blink. Just sat there, like some kind of airport zombie staring at nothing. I swear if someone had waved a duty-free perfume sample in front of me, I’d have followed them like a moth to a flame.

Oh, that reminds me…

(See? Already lost track of the point. Perfect airport energy.)

2. Why Airports Mess With Our Sense of Time

Airports are basically the Las Vegas of travel. No clocks. No windows. No natural light. Just this weird suspended reality where you can eat sushi at 3 a.m. or have a beer at sunrise and no one bats an eye.

No windows, no clocks, no sense of day or night

Ever notice how airport terminals are basically giant boxes of fluorescent lighting and echoey ceilings? That’s on purpose. You can’t see outside, so you lose your circadian rhythm (aka your body’s little clock that says “hey, it’s bedtime” or “wake up, champ”).

The artificial lighting trap

Blue-white lights everywhere, blasting your eyeballs. They keep you “awake” even when you should be winding down. Combine that with announcements every 10 minutes and bam—time becomes soup.

The endless waiting game

The worst part? Waiting itself stretches time. Psychologists call this “temporal dislocation,” which sounds fancy but really just means: waiting feels longer than doing. You ever stand in line at security and feel like you aged five years? Same.

3. Jet Lag, Circadian Rhythms, and That Zombie Feeling

Okay, so pile jet lag on top of airport timelessness and you’ve got… chaos. Your body thinks it’s 2 p.m., the board says it’s 11:30 p.m., and the snack kiosk is selling breakfast burritos. Who’s right? Nobody. You’re just stuck in limbo.

Oh, side note: I once ordered pancakes at midnight in Singapore airport just because they were there. No regrets.

4. The Psychology of “Non-Places” (What Even Is That?)

Here’s a term I stumbled across once while procrastinating on YouTube: airports are “non-places.” Meaning, they’re not destinations, not homes, just these weird in-between zones where identity and time blur. You’re not “in” Paris or Tokyo—you’re in… airportsville.

It’s kind of existential if you think too long about it. (Which I did. Oops.)

5. Stories From My Own Airport Twilight Zone

• The 5 a.m. Cheeseburger Incident: I ate one in Chicago airport and swore it was the best burger of my life. Looking back, I think I was just delirious.

• Lara’s Raccoon Nap: My friend Lara once curled up under the check-in counter with her hoodie over her head. Nobody moved her. Honestly iconic.

• Duty-Free Temptation: I almost bought a $200 bottle of cologne once because it “felt like the right thing to do at 4 a.m.” Spoiler: it wasn’t.

6. How to Stay Grounded When Time Stops Existing

So, what do you do when airports feel like time warps? Here’s what’s saved me:

Trick #1: Make your own “fake” routine

Even if you’re stuck for 10 hours, pretend it’s a normal day. Eat “meals” at regular-ish times. Brush your teeth. It keeps your brain from going feral.

Trick #2: Light is your friend (and enemy)

Seek sunlight if you can near windows, or dim your phone screen if it’s “night.” Fake it till your body believes it.

Trick #3: Hydrate… no, seriously

Yes, I’m nagging. But dehydration makes jet lag worse and makes you cranky. (And airport air is basically Sahara Desert levels of dry.)

Trick #4: Movement = sanity

Do a weird little walk around the terminal. Stretch in a corner. Pretend you’re on a fitness challenge. Whatever.

7. Random Tangents I Swear Are Connected

• Duty-free shops? They’re designed like casinos: bright, endless, disorienting, and no clocks. You’re meant to forget time and spend money.

• People-watching at airports is Olympic-level entertainment. Who knew so many people travel in pajamas?

8. Small Comforts That Actually Help

• Pillows: Memory foam vs inflatable. I used to roll my eyes, but honestly, they can save your neck (literally).

• Snacks: Bring your own. Airport prices are highway robbery.

• Quiet Corners: Every airport has at least one. Hunt them like treasure.

9. Final Thoughts (Am I Even in the Same Time Zone Right Now?)

Airports warp time, mess with your head, and make you question reality. But maybe that’s the point—they’re liminal spaces where you’re between one version of yourself and the next.

10. A Question for You (Because I’m Curious and Nosy)

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done at an airport because you lost track of time? Tell me, so I don’t feel so alone in my cheeseburger shame.

Author Profile:

Hi, I’m Florian Werner, the founder of FLOWZOOM. The idea for FLOWZOOM started during an unforgettable trip around the world. After spending what felt like forever on long flights, I noticed just how tough it is to stay comfortable while traveling.
I tried every travel pillow I could find, hoping for some relief—but nothing worked the way I needed it to. That’s when I decided to create my own. At FLOWZOOM, we focus on designing pillows that actually do what they’re supposed to: keep you comfortable and supported while you travel.
I’ve spent years figuring out what makes a great travel pillow. My goal is to make every trip easier for people who, like me, want to enjoy their journey without the aches and pains. I’m proud to share what I’ve learned through FLOWZOOM’s products and tips for better travel.
Here’s to making every trip a little more comfortable!