A plane passenger was shocked to see a “completely empty” gate after arriving for their flight several hours before take-off.

The passenger and original poster (OP), user Key_Ambassador_9307, shared their experience on Reddit, explaining that their flight had originally been scheduled for 1:30 a.m., but they received a notification 14 hours before departure, indicating the new time was 3:30 a.m.

Expecting to follow standard guidelines, they arrived at the airport around 12:45 a.m., still within the 90-minute window required for international check-in.

To their surprise, however, the check-in area was nearly deserted.

Airline staff informed the OP that check-in had closed based on the original departure time.

“I mentioned that the departure time is now 3:30 a.m. and I am well before the 90-minute check-in deadline,” they wrote.

“They said that the deadline is based on the original departure time and I could no longer check in.

“I managed to get them to allow me after insisting multiple times that I need to fly out tonight but I am very confused?

“I could understand if they delayed it more last minute but with a 14-hour notice, do they just expect people to come to the airport 4-5 hours early?”

In a message to Newsweek via Reddit, the OP explained, “I checked in online, but because this was an international flight, they have to verify your passport and any other travel documents at the check-in desk anyway, as well as check in my bags.

“Some people were saying I should have checked in online, but I don’t think I explained that part well enough.”

“Additionally, when I was notified of the delay, there was no explicit communication that I should arrive at the airport according to the original check-in time,” the OP pointed out to Newsweek.

“It was a learning experience for sure, and based on the responses to the post, it seems like many people were aware of this unspoken rule like I was.”

‘Why even tell you then?’

Reddit users flocked to the comments to weigh in, with many pointing out that airline operations often stay tied to the original schedule regardless of updates.

“It is, unfortunately, standard that check-in and airport times are based on original times,” one wrote. “This is just in case a new plane or crew or whatever appears and they can leave on time.”

“You are supposed to be at the gate by the original boarding time as well,” another added. “If they find a different airplane to sub in, they could very quickly move the departure time back to the original and take off at the original time.”

Several users, however, were confused as to why airlines even send delay notifications if nothing changes in terms of procedure.

“Why even tell you then?” one Redditor asked. “If there is no functional difference from the plane just being late… and you having to wait around for ages and being annoyed about it.”

Airport Anger

Airports are often the setting for scenes of frustration and conflict, and this is just the latest example to make headlines.

In one incident, covered by Newsweek, a woman had a meltdown at check-in while her young child cried and begged her to stop.

In another example, also reported by Newsweek, a post showing a photo of several bags occupying multiple seats at an airport gate sparked fury among netizens.

Newsweek‘s “What Should I Do?” offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.