© Shutterstock

Duty-free isn't always cheaper -

Duty-free shops are super tempting, but be aware before shopping prior to your flight. The prices of duty-free items are often still more expensive than what you’ll pay at home.

© Shutterstock

Late flights have to pay up -

This is rarely announced, but if an EU-based airline arrives at its destination three or more hours late, they owe you money. However, it's not payable under "extraordinary circumstances," such as war, security issues, natural disasters, extreme weather, and crew strikes.

© Shutterstock

Your ETA includes more than just flying time -

Your estimated time of arrival (ETA) actually includes wiggle room for taxing to and from the runway, and other potential small delays. This is why the total announced flying time doesn’t add up to when you booked the flight.

© Shutterstock

Airport bathroom feedback is received in real time -

Thanks to an instant reaction on smart feedback devices found in many airports, bathroom airports are being cleaned much more frequently.

© Shutterstock

Checking your bag at the gate might be free -

When flights are full, you'll usually hear a message from the gate asking people to check in their hand luggage. Take this as an opportunity for a complementary checked bag to your final destination.

© Shutterstock

The pleasant small talk may be a test -

Not to make you overly cynical, but often when security gets chatty it's usually a behavior inspection technique to test if you're a suspicious passenger.

© Shutterstock

Your gender can be confusing -

If the security can't figure out your gender, you may get an old-fashioned pat-down. This is because when you enter a full body scan, the device operator must tell the machine which gender the passenger is, so it knows which anatomy to consider as it scans.

© Shutterstock

You’re being lured into the shops due to your seats -

The reason the most comfortable seats are near the airport shops is because you're being lured in to spend your money. It's a clever trick where the airport wants you to take out your wallet after you've cleared security.

© Shutterstock

Water is free -

Airports do prefer that you overspend on a disposable plastic bottle of water, but avoid this by bringing an empty bottle and look for the reusable water refill stations positioned near the restrooms.

© Shutterstock

Baggage handlers get rough with your stuff -

If you've ever wondered why your luggage looks like a mess, chances are baggage handlers weren't very gentle with it. People have witnessed workers throwing and even kicking luggage.

© Shutterstock

Taxi rides from the airport are expensive -

Taxi rides from the airport can cost up to twice the usual cost of the trip. So if you're not renting a car, use a rideshare app to get a ride instead.

© Shutterstock

You don’t need to arrive two hours before your flight -

Sometimes it can take hours to clear security, but for the most part you don't need that much time at the airport. In the end, the longer you're there, the more you'll spend on food and shopping. Instead, check in early and bring only a carry-on if possible.

© Shutterstock

Eating during the flight may be cheaper than in the airport -

If you're a frequent flyer and have an airline credit card, you may get up to 25% discount on in-flight food and drinks. This is around half the price of a meal purchased at the airport.

© Shutterstock

Evening travelers are preferred passengers -

According to airport staff, morning passengers are apparently significantly meaner than those flying in the evening. Maybe it's because they didn't have their morning coffee yet!

© Shutterstock

You could be tracked by facial recognition scanners -

Throughout American airports, the Department of Homeland Security has installed facial recognition scanners to track passengers throughout the terminals.

© Shutterstock

Free upgrades hardly ever happen -

Unless you're a frequent flyer with a specific airline or paid for a premium fare, don't expect to get an upgrade. It's a rare occurrence nowadays.

© Shutterstock

They’ll sell your stuff -

When you leave or lose anything at the airport, you get 90 days to collect it. After that, most airports will donate unclaimed items to charity or even sell them off.

© Shutterstock

Landing slots is a business -

Airports charge airlines big fees for landing on their runways on certain days and times. These landing slots are also sold or traded between airlines.

© Shutterstock

Security isn’t as secure as you think -

Understaffed and with overworked employees, staring long hours at a screen, airport security isn't as secure as you might think and hope.

© Shutterstock

The air quality is toxic -

Due to the heavy air traffic and the various road machinery around, airports are packed with all sorts of nasty chemicals, such as carbon monoxide.

© Shutterstock

Many US airports are understaffed with security -

Together with unorganized travelers who fail to read instructional signs placed throughout the queue, long lines are even worse with many understaffed TSA security checkpoints. This has caused many people to miss their flights.

© Shutterstock

There are behavior detection officers watching you -

If you're flying in the US, TSA scanners aren't the only people watching you. American airports also employ Behavior Detection Officers to keep an eye on any suspicious behavior.

© Shutterstock

There's a trick to getting your bag first -

If you check in your luggage late, chances are it will be one of the first ones out onto the carousel at the destination. You'll be the first one out the exit doors!

© Shutterstock

US airports have a history of sketchy hires -

A problem that dates back to the early 2000s, the TSA hired 28,000 people without completing background checks. Over 1,200 later got fired over basic ineligibility, and 503 applicants had prior arrests or convictions.

© Shutterstock

Wi-Fi is often free at the airports -

Some airports still have the audacity to charge for slow Wi-Fi, but most offer complementary Wi-Fi nowadays. Log on for free and take the opportunity to download some shows for the flight.

© Shutterstock

The currency exchange rates are insane -

If you're a frequent traveler, you already know never to exchange currency at the airport. The exchange rates are outrageously high, and you'll lose a lot of money.

© Shutterstock

You may have access to a private airport lounge -

Airport lounge areas are a bit hidden away, and with the help of your credit card you may get the perk of accessing them. Just pop in and ask, and you may find yourself in a calm spot, filled with free food and drinks.

© Shutterstock

Careful with the barcodes on your luggage and passports -

In order to make sure that luggage don't get lost, airlines have made improvements to the barcoded tags in order to better track them. However, rip them off once you reach your final destination, as they contain your personal information, which thieves can easily access.

© Shutterstock

Airports are designed so you don't get lost -

Airport layouts are carefully designed so that travelers don't get lost. This is done through subtle but effective cues that help people find their way from security to the gate.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Grunge)

See also: Food facts that airlines don't want you to know

© Shutterstock