For millions of people, the holiday doesn’t begin when they arrive at their destination—it begins with the first pint or glass of wine at the airport.
Walk through any airport departure lounge at six o’clock in the morning and you’ll see bars full of people enjoying beer, wine or prosecco before breakfast. Somehow, drinking alcohol at an hour that would seem completely unacceptable at home suddenly feels like part of the holiday experience.
But is airport drinking really helping you start your holiday, or could it actually be making the first day of your trip far less enjoyable?
Why Do We Drink at Airports?
Airports are unusual places.
Normal rules seem to disappear.
You might never dream of ordering a pint at 7.30am on a Tuesday morning, yet in an airport it almost feels expected.
There are several reasons why people drink before flying:
- “I’m officially on holiday.”
- To calm nerves before flying.
- Because everyone else is drinking.
- To pass the time before boarding.
- Simply because it’s become part of the tradition.
For many travellers, that first airport drink has become a ritual rather than a conscious decision.
Alcohol Starts Earlier Than You Think
One airport drink rarely stays as just one.
A typical holiday might begin like this:
- Pint in the airport.
- Glass of wine on the aircraft.
- Beer at the hotel.
- Cocktails before dinner.
- Wine with dinner.
By bedtime, you’ve consumed far more alcohol than you intended—and the holiday has barely begun.
This early start often sets the tone for the rest of the week.
Flying and Alcohol Don’t Mix Well
Many people don’t realise that flying itself already places extra demands on the body.
Aircraft cabins have much lower humidity than normal environments, making dehydration more likely.
Adding alcohol can:
- increase dehydration
- contribute to headaches
- worsen tiredness
- affect sleep quality
- leave you feeling sluggish on arrival
Instead of feeling excited to explore your destination, you may spend the first afternoon recovering.
That’s hardly the ideal start to a well-earned break.
Alcohol Doesn’t Cure Flying Anxiety
Some people use alcohol because they feel nervous about flying.
Although it may make you feel temporarily relaxed, alcohol isn’t considered a reliable treatment for flight anxiety.
It can actually make some people:
- feel more emotional
- sleep poorly
- become more dehydrated
- feel anxious later as alcohol wears off
If flying makes you anxious, there are safer and more effective ways to manage those feelings than relying on alcohol.
The Hidden Holiday Calories Begin at the Airport
Holiday weight gain often starts before you’ve even reached your hotel.
Consider a fairly typical airport meal:
- Full English breakfast
- Pint of lager
- Glass of wine on the plane
You’ve already consumed hundreds of extra calories before lunchtime.
By the end of a week’s holiday, these “holiday treats” can easily amount to thousands of additional calories.
Many people return home surprised they’ve gained weight, even though they walked more than usual.
Alcohol is often a major contributor.
Do You Actually Enjoy the Airport Drink?
It’s worth asking yourself one simple question.
If airport bars didn’t exist, would you really miss that drink?
Or is it simply something you’ve always done because everyone else does?
Many people discover that replacing the first alcoholic drink with a coffee, soft drink or sparkling water makes very little difference to their enjoyment—but a significant difference to how they feel later that day.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
You don’t have to avoid alcohol altogether.
Instead, consider:
- Waiting until you arrive at your destination.
- Drinking water before boarding.
- Having lunch before ordering alcohol.
- Limiting yourself to one drink rather than several.
- Starting your holiday feeling refreshed instead of dehydrated.
Often it’s these small decisions that determine how the rest of the holiday unfolds.
What If You Always Lose Control?
For some people, the airport is where the familiar pattern begins.
One drink becomes three.
Three becomes six.
Before long, alcohol is shaping the entire holiday.
If you’ve experienced this repeatedly, it may not simply be a matter of willpower.
For suitable adults, there are prescription medicines that may help reduce alcohol’s rewarding effects, making it easier to stop after one drink rather than feeling compelled to continue. Treatment should always follow an appropriate clinical assessment.
At www.drinklessmethod.co.uk, we provide confidential online assessments for adults who want to reduce their drinking rather than necessarily stop completely. Where clinically appropriate, independent prescribers can assess whether treatment may be suitable.
Start Your Holiday Feeling Your Best
Imagine arriving at your hotel:
- feeling refreshed
- well hydrated
- ready to explore
- sleeping well on your first night
- waking early for breakfast instead of nursing a hangover
That’s a far better way to begin any holiday.
Airport drinking has become so normal that many people never question it. But simply because something is common doesn’t mean it’s helping you enjoy your holiday.
This year, why not try starting your holiday differently?
You might discover that the best memories begin not with the first pint at departures, but with arriving feeling healthy, energised and completely ready to enjoy everything your destination has to offer.
To learn more about medically supported ways to reduce your alcohol intake and regain control over your drinking, visit www.drinklessmethod.co.uk.