In the quiet moments between destinations, there exists a space for contemplation and connection. Our series, Travel, Love & In-Betweens is an exploration of the subtle moments that define our journeys—where love blossoms amidst unfamiliar landscapes, where the flavours of a place heal a self and where journeys take you on a realm that’s more than mere miles. Join us on a voyage where destinations reveal profound insights into love, life and the myriad moments that shape our very existence.
Finding Love At The Airport? The Magnetic Pull Of Travel-Based Connections is the second of this article series.
A wise woman once said, “Just like flights, love is fleeting, yet we chase it with hope!”. It’s no wonder that airports, with their transient energy, have become synonymous with chance encounters and fleeting love stories. Could it be a perfect stage for a blossoming tale? Airports wear a distinct aroma of memories—goodbyes, beginnings, heartaches, and joyful reunions. Perhaps, it’s the glance that lingers a second too long. Rosie (name changed on request) sat frustrated over a delayed flight, scrolling through her phone. He stood nearby, glancing at the same departure board. A delayed flight and shared frustration led to a conversation, one that began with a joke about bad weather and ended with coffee. Of course, not everyone has the privilege of anticipating their delay positively. Yet, what makes these fleeting encounters so remarkable?
Allure Of Airport Love & Encounters
For many, there’s a certain romance to this liminality. Maybe it’s because the clock is ticking—a flight to catch, a destination awaiting. You know your time together is brief, and there’s something seductive about that. “With the knowledge that you might never cross paths again, the stakes feel lower, encouraging more daring and genuine crushes in these real-life encounters,” CEO & President of Happn, an online dating application, Karima Ben Abdelmalek shares. “The idea of finding love at the airport might seem like a scene straight out of a movie. But in real life, these chance encounters are more casual. They might not always blossom into lasting relationships, since meaningful connections take time and depth that a brief airport chat might not offer. However, the potential for something special is always present, and the experience can still be memorable and rewarding on its own.”
In 2015, two strangers, Aliaa and Dev, had an unforgettable encounter at the Delhi airport. They were strangers, yet fate had other plans. What started as small talk quickly evolved into a deep conversation. Hesitant at first—after all, they were from different cities—they exchanged numbers. They exchanged a quick goodbye, not knowing what would come next. They stayed in touch and slowly realised how much they enjoyed each other’s company. Since 2019, they have been together for 6 years now.
However, in today’s dating world, are airport encounters truly limited to being casual and fleeting, or can they evolve into lasting relationships? “The truth is that such encounters may never occur, and the airport experience itself can be chaotic and stressful. At the same time, there are many stories where random encounters turn into beautiful relationships. When a romantic connection does happen in this setting, it feels like a fated encounter, regardless of where it leads. There’s an undeniable magic to these moments,” relationship expert Shahzeen Shivdasani sounds hopeful.
The Psychology Behind?
In a film that beautifully captures the essence of friendship turning into love, the scene where Jai (Imran Khan) proposes to Aditi (Genelia D’Souza) in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) proposes at the airport is the emotional climax that ties everything together. Take Bridesmaids (2011), where the airplane scene not only drives the plot but also serves as a pivotal moment in the characters’ relationships. In Up in the Air (2009), airports and airplanes serve as metaphors for George Clooney’s character Ryan Bingham’s emotionally detached lifestyle. Planes and airports in pop culture have been microcosms of human experience. Is it the unfamiliarity of travel that heightens our senses?
“When you travel, it opens the door to a sense of adventure. We’re not surrounded by the same people, so there’s an element of excitement. There’s also a romanticised notion that you might meet an incredible stranger during your journey to the destination,” answers Shivdasani. “When people step away from their everyday lives, they often find themselves more open to new possibilities. Sometimes, the excitement of the moment leads people to embrace spontaneous encounters. This rush of adrenaline makes people more open to spontaneous interactions.”
She also points out that people rely on travel-based encounters for romance more than they’d like to admit. In the whirlwind of travel, individuals step outside their comfort zones. “Sometimes, it’s easier to open up to a stranger than to someone you know. It gives you the chance to be whoever you want to be—and them too.”
In today’s dating scene, spontaneous interactions often carry a unique allure and have emerged as a trend. “Travel brings out a ‘seize the moment’ attitude that resonates with our desire for new experiences and connections. Brief flirtations and chance encounters can lift your spirits, offering a refreshing break from the usual travel stress and monotony. The transient nature of modern dating makes these encounters particularly intriguing, offering a chance to meet someone outside your usual circle and potentially sparking a lasting connection. They’re a growing trend that aligns perfectly with our spontaneous, fast-paced lifestyles,” Ms. Abdelmalek shares.
Dating apps have embraced the power of geolocation, introducing features that allow users to change their location and activate a travel mode. With Bumble’s Premium feature, Travel Mode, you can adjust your location before or during your trip, allowing locals to see that you’re only in town for a limited time. Happn’s CrushPoints feature enables users to select their favourite locations, and choosing airports can highlight a mutual love for travel. “Travel brings out a special magic—that’s perfect for deepening emotional connections. When you and others are navigating places, it’s easier to let your guard down and build trust,” she tells.
While travelling in Barcelona, Rhea (name changed on request) stumbled upon Lucas, a local. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and they quickly decided to meet. By the end of their dates, they both admitted to their growing affection for one another. They promised to keep in touch and meet again whenever their paths crossed. As they parted ways at the airport, the bittersweet feeling of departure and uncertainty hung in the air. She still wonders if their paths will ever cross again.
“Dating isn’t easy, and it’s tough to find new ways to put yourself out there. Even dating apps don’t always lead to long-term connections. So when people travel, they do hope it’ll create an opportunity to meet someone from a different pool—someone with whom they can have a genuine connection. Many people travel with that hope, consciously or subconsciously,” Shivdazani highlights.
Crossroad Of Connections
Airports carry the weight of thousands of stories, like a worn leather suitcase that has travelled too far. Look around: the couple embracing before a departure, the individual clutching a bouquet at arrivals, the family waving goodbye at security. Of course, it’s not all rosy. They also carry the heaviness of heartbreak—the goodbyes, the final calls that echo with sadness. We are surrounded by emotion, by transitions.
“While I haven’t experienced a whirlwind romance at an airport, a sweet story about my partner makes me swoon. In 2020, just weeks before the lockdown, I took a red-eye flight to Mumbai. We were in the early days of dating, and as I boarded, I texted him. When I landed and switched off airplane mode, I found his message: “Should I pick you up? I wrote this when you took off… On the way.” My heart soared! It was the first time anyone had offered to pick me up at the airport, and it felt incredibly special. Years later, he still surprises me by coming to the airport, once even holding a makeshift placard with my name. While I may not have found love at the airport, I feel loved there,” shares Rachna Srivastava, Managing Editor of Curly Tales India & ME. There’s something genuinely heartwarming about being greeted at the airport. Expressing love in this way is truly one of life’s sweetest gestures!
We are all leaving something behind, moving towards something new. Perhaps that’s why the crushes we develop in airports feel so sweet—because they’re tied to that sense of movement, of possibility. Just like flights, love is transient, often fleeting, but always worth the risk of takeoff. The unpredictability makes it all the more appealing.
The airport is a kind of stage, and for a brief moment, we all get to play a starring role in someone else’s story.
Cover image credits: Canva
Challenges, Resilience & The Quest Of Neurodivergent Travellers is the first of this article series. Read here
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