So, you’ve matched with someone who seems promising. There’s no evidence of anonymous online rants, tragic Eiffel Tower selfies, and they don’t turn every photo into a shirtless ‘spiritual journey’ pic. Yay. All goes well. And then one day you take your first flight together and they do it. They clap when the plane lands.
True compatibility can’t just be gauged from first looks or a shared hatred of Elon Musk. There’s a reason why people say travel can make or break a relationship. Can they handle the chaos of a delayed flight or the discomfort of a middle seat? Are they adaptable, patient, and up for adventure? These moments reveal more about a person than a hundred dates ever could.
Here are the real questions you should ask your new flame to find out if they’re your ride-or-die or someone you’ll leave at the gate.
“Window or aisle?”
Aisle people, with their need for an escape route without an awkward shuffle over strangers, tend to value practicality and flexibility. Or, like me, just have short legs and a small bladder.
Window people? They’re about comfort, views, and having a little nook to nap in.
Being on opposite sides of the aisle isn’t a dealbreaker, but it can definitely show how much they’re willing to compromise. And if they claim, “Middle seats are fine with me,” they’re either not organised enough to book ahead or have a level of saintly tolerance you might admire — or eventually come to resent.
“How early do you get to the airport?”
This is like asking, “Do you like pineapple on pizza?” It tells you everything about who you’re dealing with. Are they the type who breezes in a cool 40 minutes before take-off, leaving a trail of anxiety in their wake? Or maybe they’re staunch advocates for a three-hour pre-flight arrival, ready for any unexpected delays.
This isn’t just about punctuality; it’s about travel style. Some people treat the airport as a destination, wanting a leisurely coffee before boarding, while others see it as a purely functional pitstop.
If your date breezes through the airport at the last second, they might be spontaneous, sure — but good luck coordinating any flights that don’t involve you jogging down the concourse in a mild state of panic. Meanwhile, the three-hour-arrival folk? Reliable, yes, but probably carrying a full-blown itinerary for your next ‘relaxing’ holiday. Proceed accordingly.
“Have you ever been charged for overweight baggage?”
It’s the travel equivalent of asking if someone’s been married or has a criminal record. If they check a bag for a three-day jaunt, you might be dealing with someone who needs their entire skincare collection or thinks ‘packing light’ is a myth. Meanwhile, a true carry-on wizard — the kind who can fit two weeks into a single cabin bag — has mastered the dark arts of compromise.
If they’re chronic overpackers, ask yourself if you’re ready for the endless wait at baggage claim, but happy to avail yourself of first aid kit they’ve brought. If they can ruthlessly pack a carry-on, you’ve found a rare gem: someone who won’t judge your packing… unless you’re the one hauling a checked bag.
“Do you line up at the gate?”
Some folk jump into the boarding line like it’s a Black Friday sale—never mind that they’re in Row 32. They’re the eager beavers, desperate to get their bag in the overhead bin and claim their tiny slice of airplane real estate. Then there are the zen masters, lounging in the waiting area, unbothered until the final boarding call feels more like a personal invitation.
This little ritual tells you everything: travel anxiety, fear of missing out, or just an obsession with being first. If you’re the ‘wait-until-everyone’s-gone’ type, you’ll forever be puzzled by the person who’s been standing in line so long they’ve practically earned frequent flyer miles.
“Do you stand up as soon as the plane lands?”
The seatbelt sign dings, and before you have a chance to unbuckle, they’re up, jockeying for a spot in the aisle even though the doors haven’t opened. There are some acceptable reasons to do this. They have to pee, they have a leg cramp or they have to make a connecting flight.
@trtltravel Why are they always so impatient? #travel #travelhabits #impatient #annoying #travelicks ♬ original sound – Tiktok / IG strategy 🚀
If they prefer to stay seated, calmly waiting for the aisle stampede to pass, they might just be your perfect ‘go with the flow’ type. A little aisle etiquette can reveal whether your new flame is down-to-earth, or just downright impatient.
“Do you recline your seat?”
Are they the type who slams that button the minute the plane takes off, dropping their seat back without so much as a glance behind them? Or maybe they’re a self-righteous non-recliner, holding firm to the belief that all seats should remain upright out of respect for humanity (or at least the poor knees behind them).
A chronic recliner might just tell you everything you need to know about how your future travel companion handles personal space. Meanwhile, a strict no-recline stance could signal someone who takes travel etiquette a bit too seriously —or maybe just values peace on a plane over comfort.
If you’re willing to compromise, great. But if they’re the kind to recline right into your personal space, you might find yourself leaning way back… into your single days.
“Tucked or untucked?”
It’s the ultimate litmus test, separating the true hotel aficionados from the “What even is a fitted sheet?” crowd. Some find comfort in the crisp, military-style tuck that hotels meticulously arrange, while others prefer to fling everything loose like they’re kicking off the unwanted advances of an orange-faced convicted felon/president.
If they’re serious about tucking, chances are they’re organised, neat, and maybe just a tad rigid. Meanwhile, the untucked crowd tends to be the free spirits of the world — great for spontaneous adventures, but don’t count on them to keep the closet in order.
“Are you a drive-all-night or stop-and-snack road tripper?”
If you want a glimpse into your date’s inner psyche, suggest a hypothetical road trip and watch their reaction. Some folks live for the freedom of the open road and love a ‘stop whenever you see something weird’ journey. These are the snack-hoarders, scenic overlook stoppers, and spontaneous detour-lovers.
Others see road trips as a point-A-to-point-B mission: the kind who’ll insist on making “good time” and are morally opposed to roadside attractions. If you’re more of a ‘pull over for every pie shop’ type, their no-stops policy could mean that any fun detours are off the table in all senses of the word.
