A travel influencer was left gobsmacked when she arrived at Gatwick Airport at 4am and discovered a 'very British sight' – a packed Wetherspoons pub. The video she shared has since gone viral online.
Early morning queues at Wetherspoons
Many Brits enjoy a pre-flight trip to Wetherspoons, but one Australian traveller was astonished to find the pub absolutely heaving at such an early hour. The influencer, who has 14,900 followers online, posted a video showing people queuing to get into the pub. A further clip from inside revealed the place was packed to the rafters, with some punters already enjoying an alcoholic drink.
Overlay text on the video read: 'Every table full at 4am in the airport, oh to be British.' The caption for the post, shared on the official Wetherspoon Instagram account, said: 'Nothing like a 'Spoons breakfast before my flight!'
Viral reaction
The post proved a massive hit, amassing more than 122,000 likes. One individual declared: 'Nothing slaps harder than a pre-flight 'Spoons breakfast and a pint to be honest.' Another commented: 'What more could you want at 4am! I'm here for it.' A third remarked: 'We love Wetherspoons,' while another described it as their 'favourite spot'.
Wetherspoons at Gatwick
Wetherspoon pubs at Gatwick Airport are generally open between 3am and 5am and close between 9pm and 11pm each day. There is one outlet in the North Terminal (after security) and two in the South Terminal (one before and one after security).
Expert advice on pre-flight alcohol
Despite the pre-flight pint being a ritual among many Britons, travel experts have explained why it might not be the wisest choice. Speaking with specialists at global travel booking giant Omio, flight attendant Dashiell Horowitz of Air Transat offered guidance to anyone preparing to board a plane. He suggested eating a substantial meal to 'make sure you're tired and get some rest on the flight', though he was less enthusiastic about airport beers.
Dashiell said: 'There isn't much I would avoid if flying as a passenger except for anything that you know will upset your stomach! The one thing I would truly avoid is any alcohol before a flight. Most people don't know it affects you twice as much whilst in the air, so you're more likely to feel the effects than on the ground.'
