Would you get an ‘airport divorce’ — the trend encouraging couples to separate

Would you ever get an airport divorce? (Picture: Getty Images)

You’re sat on the plane in silence, replaying the argument you just had with your partner at the check-in desk. It’s safe to say, this isn’t the start to the holiday you had in mind.

From rows over what time to set the alarm, to the stress of security queues and lengthy EES delays, airports have a habit of bringing out the worst in even the happiest couples.

But what if there was a way to dodge the pre-holiday bickering altogether?

Experts and couples alike are encouraging travellers to try out an ‘airport divorce’ on their next trip.

Simple yet effective, the travel trend involves intentionally splitting up before security and going your separate ways through the airport – only reuniting when you’ve reached either the plane, or even your final destination.

Travelling with your significant other can sometimes be unnecessarily stressful (Picture: Getty Images)

Described by one user online as ‘a great way for both partners to regulate themselves alone’, the idea is that by removing the pressure to stay together during one of the most stressful parts of travelling, you can avoid any unnecessary rows before the holiday has even begun.

But could swapping a frosty pint together in Wetherspoons for solo trips to Boots really be the solution to travel tension?

If he’s faffing, I’ll just leave him – I’m an airport dad

Izzy Martyn, 27, has been through numerous airport divorces with her partner of eight years – although, oftentimes it’s accidental.

‘We’ll often say “see you on the other side” when going through security. But also, if he’s faffing around too much I will tend to just walk off on my own. I’m a bit of an airport dad,’ she tells Metro.

Unbothered about being sat next to each other on a short-haul flight, the scientist from Hitchin explains she’ll often see her boyfriend once they land.

‘Although there was one time,’ she adds, ‘where our randomly allocated seats were at either end of the same aisle and we did become those annoying people sharing an iPad across the walkway so we could watch the same show.’

Is going through with an ‘airport divorce’ a bad idea?

Some users online have been critical of airport divorces – implying that a ‘healthy relationship’ would not be so easily triggered.

For example, @casyejo called the trend ‘insanity’, while @BakeMyDay added: ‘The number one thing I looked for in a partner is someone who can keep their cool and be respectful even if they are mad at me. If you have to be away from someone to avoid a fight you probably shouldn’t be with them…’

However, psychologist Dr Madeleine Roantree explains that this isn’t necessarily the case.

‘Many healthy couples know their pressure points and adapt accordingly,’ she tells Metro.

Going your separate ways in the airport doesn’t have to be a sign of something more serious (Picture: Getty Images)

‘In the same way that one partner might drive while the other navigates, or one person handles finances while the other organises logistics, some couples recognise that airports bring out different coping styles.

‘The distinction is whether the separation comes from avoidance or self-awareness.’

‘If the thinking is, “We can’t manage each other, so we’d better split up,” that is different from, “We know we travel differently, so let’s each do our thing and meet at the gate.”

Whether it’s in a romantic partnership or within a friendship group, we all know how difficult it can be to manage conflicting personality types when it comes to travel.

One person might like arriving three hours early, while another prefers cutting it much finer. One might enjoy browsing duty free while the other wants to sit quietly with a coffee.

It can be increasingly difficult to meet everyone’s needs whilst also staying together at all times.

So, Madeleine explains, ‘a brief separation allows each person to regulate themselves in the way that works best for them.

‘They can move at their own pace, manage their own anxiety and preserve their emotional energy for the holiday itself rather than spending it arguing in a security queue. Sometimes a little autonomy prevents a lot of unnecessary resentment.’

However, Madeline adds that if a couple feels they absolutely have to separate because they genuinely can’t be in the same space without getting into a huge row, then this may indicate deeper communication difficulties.

‘If every stressful situation ends in conflict, then the airport is probably exposing an existing problem rather than creating one,’ she says.

What does an ‘airport divorce’ say about your relationship?

For Madeleine, a healthy airport divorce can indicate a couple things.

For one, it can reflect an understanding that ‘loving someone does not mean doing everything identically, and so are comfortable giving each other independence.’

On top of this, she adds that ‘one of the strongest predictors of relationship success is flexibility.

Understanding how your partner likes to travel is an important stage in any relationship (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Healthy couples tend to ask, “What works for us?” rather than “What should couples do?” So if an airport divorce helps them enjoy travelling more and argue less, there is nothing inherently unhealthy about it.’

‘An airport divorce is not automatically a red flag. In some relationships, it may be a surprisingly green one. It can reflect a couple who know each other well enough to recognise that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is meet at the gate.’

In many ways, the airport is a miniature stress test for relationships, Madeleine adds.

So, would you be able to pass?

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

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