‘Flying Naked’ to ‘Sleep Divorce’: 5 viral travel trends that took over 2024

1. Gate lice

“Gate lice” is a term used for passengers who try to sneak into lines with the hope of boarding a flight early. To combat this issue, American Airlines has announced that it will expand its new technology to more than 100 airports. The system will now audibly alert when someone tries to board before their designated group is called and will automatically deny their ticket.

2. Mattress runs

The trend, known as “mattress runs,” has people booking hotel rooms just to earn free nights or accumulate status points. However, these travellers often don’t actually complete their stays, instead reserving rooms solely to rack up rewards.

3. Flying naked

“Flying naked” is a trend where passengers travel with no checked or carry-on luggage, packing only the essentials like a phone, charger, and wallet. Supporters of the trend enjoy the convenience of skipping baggage fees and avoiding the stress of finding overhead bin space. On the flip side, critics argue that the concept feels too restrictive for those who prefer to have more items on hand during their travels.

4. Seat squatters

The term “seat squatters” refers to airline passengers who take seats not assigned to them, aiming to score a better spot without paying additional fees. This trend has gained traction on social media, with travellers sharing stories of encountering these individuals and sometimes confronting them over the situation.

5. Sleep divorce

“Sleep divorce,” where couples opt to sleep separately for better sleep quality, is becoming increasingly popular, especially during vacations. According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends report, 63% of travellers say they sleep better alone, while 37% prefer separate beds when travelling with their partners.