Travel Trends: Is ‘Check-In Chicken’ the Secret to Scoring Free Upgrades, or a Gamble?

Want better seats without paying extra? The viral ‘check-in chicken’ trend might just have you gambling for that extra legroom! 🌐 #News #ChicagoIL #Illinois #Travel

CHICAGO, IL – It’s the ultimate high-risk, high-reward travel hack that’s taken the internet by storm: “check-in chicken.” Imagine you’re heading to Chicago‘s O’Hare International Airport, and your flight’s just about to take off, but you haven’t picked your seat yet. This risky move involves waiting until the very last minute to check in, in hopes of snagging a better seat. Extra legroom? Maybe an exit row? It sounds like a dream, but is it worth the stress? Let’s dive into this viral airport trend that could make or break your travel day.

What is ‘Check-In Chicken’?

“Check-in chicken” refers to a strategy where passengers delay selecting their seats until the very end of the check-in process. The hope is that, as the clock ticks down, the most desirable seats—those with extra legroom or near the front of the plane—will still be available. But there’s a catch: many of these seats are often held back to encourage passengers to upgrade or pay extra.

As the less popular middle seats and rows fill up, some travelers are banking on the best spots still being up for grabs, hoping to beat the clock and get lucky.

Experts Warn About the Stress and Risk Involved

While the tactic might sound tempting, experts have a few cautionary words. Adopting the “check-in chicken” approach could end up adding unnecessary stress to your travel experience. To successfully pull it off, you’d need to constantly monitor seat availability in the final 24 hours leading up to your flight.

For many, that might not be the best use of their time, especially when there are other travel preparations to focus on. More importantly, there’s a real risk of waiting too long and ending up with no seat at all. Travelers are advised to consider if the time spent chasing down a better seat is worth the potential headache.

Other Viral Airport Trends: ‘Gate Lice’ and New Solutions

As if the “check-in chicken” wasn’t enough, another airport trend has gained traction: “Gate Lice.” This practice involves passengers trying to jump the boarding line in hopes of getting onto the plane earlier.

To combat this behavior, American Airlines has introduced a system designed to identify when a passenger attempts to board ahead of their assigned time. This new technology will audibly notify passengers and automatically reject their boarding passes, aiming to curb the chaos caused by line-cutting. It’s being rolled out across more than 100 airports in an effort to restore order to the boarding process.

Is ‘Check-In Chicken’ Worth the Risk?

While “check-in chicken” is undoubtedly a gamble, it’s one that travelers continue to take in hopes of getting a better seat without spending extra money. But as experts point out, this trend may cause more stress than it’s worth, and the time you spend tracking seat availability might be better spent elsewhere.

If you’re willing to take the risk, keep your expectations in check. After all, sometimes, getting to your gate on time and settling into any available seat is the best you can do. Happy travels!

RELATED TOPICS: Travel Tips | Travel Hacks

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!

SHARE This Article With Family And Friends…