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Airports are a place like no other, and we'll also tell you why. They have long served as gateways to our adventures, places where a vacation or a new life begins before we've even stepped foot in our destination. But have you ever paused during your endless airport navigation, with your carry-on suitcase in tow, and realized that airports are, quite frankly, a peculiar kind of chaos?

It's where reality bends a bit and all social norms seem to crash against a bit of turbulence, giving life to hilarious airport moments. Pajamas in public? No problem. Vodka at 8 AM? Nothing weird here. A grown man sprinting like he's in the Olympic finals just to make a flight? All totally ordinary sights, which is why airports are often seen as some kind of lawless place, where "being inappropriate" is a pretty much subjective concept.

People who fly through airports on a regular basis have seen some pretty incredible things — things you might not believe if we told you about them. So why not let these crazy airport pictures speak for themselves?

The internet has graced us with so many funny airport pics, and we won't deny that we spent an unhealthy amount of time scrolling through the ones we selected for this list.

Ensure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position, and prepare for takeoff. Our voyage through the funniest travel moments is about to begin! From outrageous sleeping positions to the most unusual carry-on items (we're looking at you, man with a full-size desk lamp), this is travel humor at its finest.

#1

Flying Home For The Holidays Dressed To Surprise The Family.

Two man with Christmas outfits hugging in the airport

"Before the flight, I met this stranger at the airport. Instant best friends."

ImplicationOfDanger Report

#3

During A 12 Hour Flight Delay My Boyfriend Wandered Off.

Man sitting with multiple children in a play room

"When I found him he was in the middle of a pixar movie marathon with a group of 5 year olds. He's the one for me."

janeR61 Report

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shanila.pheonix_
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there are airports with kiddie waiting rooms?! i wish my local airport had this

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#4

Son Made A Friend At An Airport. They Don’t Speak The Same Language But They Can Co-Exist Nicely

Two kids layin on the ground and watching something on a tablet

afro-harry Report

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Nayla Kanaan
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in south America once and I was in a hotel lobby and this kid was sitting by a chess board. We didn’t speak each other’s languages at all but we played an entire game together. Kid with the chess board if you somehow see this know that you are immortalized in the fact that I share this story every time I coach chess club to new kids

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StitchIsCuteAndFluffy
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I saw some kids playing Monopoly and I thought that was cool because Monopoly is my favorite game. (Somewhat relates to this post because they also didn’t speak my language, but that’s more besides the point.)

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Zoey Rayne
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. Look at the little dudes just vibing! I love it. I [US citizen, 21 at the time] watched The God's Must Be Crazy for the first time on my laptop during an international flight; it had enough visual comedy that the Russian lady next to me also laughed along at some scenes even though I was wearing headphones. Some art transcends language, and I love that.

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JelliTate
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me cry. Why is there so much hate in the world? Children are not born to hate, they are taught. This is such a sweet moment that I can attest to dragging children through the airport! They always find a friend ☺️

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Mr.G86
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like I told my ex girlfriend who kept saying how much she loved me. Words are just specific sounds that come out of your mouth. Actions will always speak louder!!

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whineygingercat
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids don't see differences. Kids see people. My mom STILL tells her friends about how I was the only one who stood up for the new janitor in 5th grade. 10y/o kids, by that age, some unkind lessons had been learned. It didn't help that the new guy had replaced a beloved janitor. Also, predominantly white elementary school, black janitor, so you can guess what was being said. Janitor comes to the 5th grade classroom to report the boys and then mentions me. My teacher was shocked - he thought I'd been doing the same as the boys - janitor stops him and says 'no, SHE told them to stop.' Teacher sent a letter home to mom on how proud of me he was and that mom was raising a wonderful young lady.

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The Rock Obama
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same with one of my friends from church, we went on a mission trip to Puerto Rico and on our 5 hour wait before boarding this 18 year old senior boy made friends with a 6 year old Puerto Rican girl and they watched Coco and Frozen together… it was adorable!

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Jing Yi Xu
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take down the parents' details if possible, when you kid is grown they might want to track their 'best bud' of 5 mins down

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Nat of Clan P
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The wonder of children. I love the way they see the world, without hate or prejudice. Brilliant caption and photo.

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Debbie Dixon
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The wonderful innocence of children. They don't see colour, creed or religion, only someone they can be friends with. Shame the rest of the species of man cannot follow their lead.

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ShyWahine
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww, this makes my heart smile - imagine If the whole world can follow their sweet example…

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Lynn Morello
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids are not born to hate or be racist. It is something they learn when growing up.

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Seabeast
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They both start singing "Baby Shark" for hours and hours and hours...

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Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember meeting a young boy in France, at disney. I might have only been 6 or 7 years old, and didn't speak any french besides "bonjour" "merci", "sil vous plait" and "oui oui" , but this kid insisted he had his photo taken with me and my sister, and played with us in the playground at the hotel. I wonder where he is today. x3 (I could never actually confirm if he was indeed French, actually. but somehow language didn't entirely matter)

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The Jokester (she/her)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adults can learn many things from children. One thing is, don't be an a*****e because you don't speak the same language.

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Manuel Delgado
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully nothing like the picture, because that's just screen hypno.

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Brobro McDuderson
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adults could learn from this. Everyone is so mean and judgmental.

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Sean
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

even when i was a kid i rarely made friends and it always ended up with me losing contact for one reason or the other, but when i was at some kids event i would easily make a few one-day friends.. it was like i flipped a switch and became extremely extroverted. idk why that was tbh

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Valek Fermiga
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's such a sweet picture- I wonder what they're watching....??

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#8

Saw This Pilot At The Airport, Yesterday

Blind pilot walking in the airport hall

CorkyBravo Report

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Shyrali
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know but he seems trustworthy to me because he has a good sense of humor.

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#9

This Man Is An Everyday Hero.

Pilot coordinating people and talking to them

"After waiting for our bags at heathrow terminal 5 for 4 hours the only person who was still there was a pilot, who helped over 300 people get there bags back. In case he sees this I just want to say thank you!"

PerryBernini Report

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#11

At The Airport Tonight And After Sitting Began To Hear The Soft Sound Of Reading Aloud (With Voices!)

Man sitting on the ground next to a plugin socket talking on the phone

"This man is reading the lord of the rings to his children and it reminded me of my mom. I hope to be that kind of parent someday."

Jekyll_not_Hyde Report

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Child of the Stars
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was young, my dad would record himself reading and playing his guitar for us.

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#14

At Airport, Just Handed This... Challenge Accepted... Good Luck Buddy. Standby For Results, Take Off In 40

Challenging note in person hand

pezmonkey Report

#16

At This Airport, They Have A Machine That Will Print Off Free Short Stories For You To Read While You Wait!

Man using a Story dispenser at the airport

MisallocatedRacism Report

#17

Sign In The New Orleans Airport Bathroom

Woman taking a picture of a funny sign in airports bathroom

silentonc Report

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#21

This Bathroom Mirror In Tallinn Airport Has Instructions On How To Tie A Tie

Man taking a picture of instructions on how to tie a tie

themiths35 Report

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Your Neighborhood Alien
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now if only I could figure out how to tie a bowtie. I've even watched video tutorials, and I'm still confused!

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#22

This Airport Hired Actors To Walk Around As Star Wars Characters On May 4th

Multiple Star Wars characters in an airport

monkeyhead_man Report

#23

Props To The Troll That Put This Sticker On The Wall In A Busy Airport Terminal.

A sticker of a plug socket on a wall in an airport

"Been here for 10 minutes and have seen 5 people try it. Cruel."

ryusomad Report

#24

My Local Airport Added A New Display To Mimic The Inside Of A Plane. They Chose An Underwater Scene As The Background. How Reassuring

Stickers on walls to mimic a feel like you're on plane

SucculentGravy Report

#27

Working At The Airport, We See Many People Tag Their Bags. Someone Will Tie The Rope, Someone Tag Name, Who Will Sign. Today Came Across This

Funny picture stuck on a backpack

johnheartless Report

#28

Mom Finally Got To Meet The Fonz, He Was Nice Enough To Stop When Leaving For The Airport

Woman taking a picture with a famous person in an airport

Next_Grass Report

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#31

So My Friend Is In An Airport In Morocco And Sees These Guys Trying To Buy Seats On A Plane To Switzerland For Their Falcons

Multiple standing men and multiple Falcons in an airport

imgur.com Report

#32

My Cousin Met A Victoria's Secret Model At The Airport. Perfect Day To Be Wearing That Shirt

Little kid taking a picture with a famous model in an airport

trolollies Report

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Stardust she/her
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just my opinion but I don’t think young kids should be wearing these kinds of shirts

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#33

This Airport Has A Recombobulation Area. First Time I Have Ever Seen This Word Used

Multiple people waiting in line to get to Recombobulation Area

theWet_Bandits Report

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Libstak
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Discombobulation is my favourite word, cos it's my natural state, I think this might now be my 2nd favourite word.

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#37

Met This Fellow At The Airport. He Explained That He's Going To Meet His Fiancé

Happy man in a full yellow outfit sitting in an airport

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#38

At The Airport Waiting To Embarrass Jimmy

Woman holding an Embarrassing welcoming sign

orchid_breeder Report

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#39

In The Narita Airport Of Japan, While It Says "Welcome To Japan" In English, The Japanese Text Says "Welcome Back"

Smart sign in an Japanese airport

memetaro Report

#41

Hawaiian Airport Has Restroom Sign With Hawaiian Attires

Hawaiian themed toilet sign in an airport

Havesomepeas Report

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StitchIsCuteAndFluffy
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

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#42

This Guy Wasn’t Letting A Delayed Flight Ruin His Day.... Hooked Up A Playstation To Airport Monitors!

Man playing console games on an airport's tv

beardedbarnabas Report

#43

There's A Roulette Minigame At The Frankfurt Airport Baggage Claim

Baggage claim area looking like a Roulette

Red_on_Paper Report

#45

My Son's First College Roommate Picking Him Up From The Airport After Spending Christmas At Home

Man holding a tablet with a funny welcoming sign

Muldoon1987 Report

#46

When Your Mate Says He'll Pick You Up From The Airport On Christmas Eve

Man standing with a tablet with a funny Christmas costume

smacktip Report

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Cara
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is he that guy that made friends with the guy in the blue suit?

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#47

Realistic Sculpture Titled “The Traveler” In Orlando International Airport

Man trying to rest with his luggage in an airport

eisenbergw Report

#48

Noticed This Woman's Skirt Blended In With The Floor While Waiting For My Parents At The Airport

Multiple people standing and walking in an airport

OkMan123456789 Report

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#50

This Washroom Sign In An Abu Dhabi Airport Lounge Looks Like Arabian Batman

Weird looking bathroom sign in an airport

CandyMan77 Report

Note: this post originally had 76 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.