I’ve had the opportunity to travel often this year, and I’m continually struck by how, in a world where we can communicate with people on the other side of the globe with the tap of a screen, we seem to have lost the ability or desire to communicate face to face. It’s airports, with their stringent security measures and crowded terminals, that have become one of the last places where we can experience genuine, random conversations with strangers. This unique environment fosters spontaneous interactions, making airports an unexpected haven to connect with others in an increasingly interconnected yet often isolated world.

The airport is a microcosm of society, like mini-cities with their own detailed infrastructures and hierarchy and a diverse array of people from all walks of life congregating in one place. Whether you are a seasoned traveler, a first-time flier, a businessperson traveling to a meeting, or a family embarking on a vacation, the airport is where our paths intersect. It’s a place where the hustle and bustle of daily life meets the stillness of waiting, creating a breeding ground for light yet substantial conversations to unfold.

Airports are perhaps also one of the few places where strangers willingly display their vulnerability. The security checkpoints are the great equalizer; once you’ve emptied your pockets and removed your shoes, you’re no longer a CEO, student, nurse, doctor, teacher, tailor, or cabinet maker. You are simply a traveler. This shared experience of being subjected to the same security procedures creates a sense of equality and empathy, opening the door for spontaneous interactions. And it is the same for everyone, whether you paid to cut the line or not.  Once we pass through security, we are all on the same level of humanity, bound by the shared experience of travel.

Then as you wait in line or at your gate, striking up a conversation about the weather, travel plans, or an observation about the whole situation might seem like superficial small talk, but in the context of the airport, these discussions can become meaningful connections. People are often more open to these conversations, eager for a brief respite from the often solitary nature of air travel.

The transitory nature of airport encounters also allows for a refreshing lack of consequences. Unlike interactions in your daily life, where reputations and judgments may be at stake, conversations in an airport hold no expectations beyond the present moment. This freedom can encourage candid and authentic exchanges.

One of the best aspects of engaging with strangers in airports is the sharing of stories. Despite the fact that we humans can be weird, selfish, and annoying, we are also quirky and fascinating, and it’s in that head space I like to indulge in these conversations. You may meet someone who has just returned from a life-changing journey, or perhaps someone who is embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. Recently I met someone who works as a roadie for Taylor Swift. He was heading to Texas to meet up with his girlfriend and then Aspen because she wanted to go for her 35th birthday. Another was heading home to Denver, he didn’t want to talk at first. You can see people resisting interaction, but then they join in when they hear you and another random stranger chatting about stuff, and conversation is indulged. Another young woman was heading to Dallas to attend a Tony Robbins seminar. I find these stories to be a source of inspiration, offering fresh perspectives and opening your mind to the possibilities that travel can bring.

Airports can also be a breeding ground for the small random acts of kindness that remind you we are all in this together. Whether it’s a fellow traveler watching your stuff when you head to the bathroom, someone sharing their charging port, or offering extra napkins as your sandwich falls apart, these simple gestures of goodwill highlight the underlying sense of camaraderie that permeates the airport atmosphere.

In an increasingly polarized and divisive world, it’s heartening to see people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and nationalities coexist peacefully for a brief moment, often finding common ground in their shared experiences.

In contrast to the physical interactions that airports facilitate, the digital age has made it easier than ever to connect with people online. Social media, messaging apps, and video calls have transformed how we communicate, but they often lack the spontaneity and authenticity that in-person interactions offer. While digital connections have their merits, there’s something uniquely valuable about face-to-face conversations with strangers, untethered from the constraints of online personas and curated profiles.

I embrace these moments, for in the shared journey of life with all of its trials and tribulations, it is a solid reminder that as strangers, we can still find a reflection of our shared humanity in these less frequent moments.