Airports are bustling hubs of excitement, anticipation, and—let’s be honest—a fair bit of chaos, especially during peak travel periods like Easter.
But while most of us are busy worrying about boarding passes, security checks, and whether we remembered to pack our toothbrush, there’s a hidden danger lurking in the terminal that many travellers overlook: ‘airport brain’.
Yes, you read that right. According to Brisbane Airport officials, ‘airport brain’ is the phenomenon where travellers become so distracted by the logistics of travel—flights, tickets, passports, and the nagging feeling that they might have left the iron on—that they forget to pay attention to their immediate surroundings.
And unfortunately, this absent-mindedness can lead to some nasty accidents before you’ve even set foot on a plane.
Brisbane Airport, in partnership with Kidsafe, has recently sounded the alarm on this issue, releasing eye-opening CCTV footage of real-life mishaps to drive the message home.
In one clip, an older woman struggles to keep her balance on a travellator before taking a tumble, while another shows a passenger losing their footing on an escalator, weighed down by heavy luggage.
Perhaps most concerning is the footage of a young child falling backwards off a suitcase at the check-in counter—a stark reminder that suitcases are for luggage, not little ones.
The statistics are sobering: a whopping 30 per cent of all airport injuries happen on escalators and travelators. The advice from airport bosses? If you’re juggling bags, grandchildren, or just feeling a bit frazzled, opt for the lift instead. It might take a few extra minutes, but it’s a much safer bet.
Peter Dorn, Brisbane Airport’s head of safety, explains: ‘People often experience ‘airport brain’. They’re thinking about flights, tickets, passports, and whether they’ve locked up the house. It’s easy to get distracted, but that’s when accidents happen.’
And it’s not just adults who are at risk. Children riding on suitcases might look cute (and let’s face it, it’s a great way to keep them entertained in a long queue), but it’s a recipe for disaster.
Dorn warns: ‘Suitcases do a great job of carrying luggage, not people, and their misuse can quickly turn into a serious safety risk. When children ride on suitcases, their high centre of gravity, combined with small wheels, makes them unstable and prone to tipping over. This has resulted in children hitting the tile floor and being injured.’
It’s a timely reminder for everyone, especially as more than a million people are expected to pass through Brisbane Airport over the Easter holidays.
In 2025 alone, the airport welcomed 25 million passengers and recorded 187 public injuries—most of them minor, but all of them preventable.
The good news? Despite the growing number of travellers, public accidents at Brisbane Airport actually declined in 2024 and 2025. That’s a trend airport officials are keen to continue, with Dorn adding: ‘We want to equip… all travellers with the knowledge and tools they need to make safe choices as they move through the airport. Our goal is for everyone to get safely to their destination.’
So, what can you do to avoid falling victim to ‘airport brain’ and keep yourself (and your loved ones) safe?
Top Tips for Staying Safe at the Airport:
1. Stay Present: Try to keep your focus on your surroundings, especially when using escalators, travelators, or lifts.
2. Use Lifts When in Doubt: If you’re carrying heavy bags, travelling with children, or just feeling a bit overwhelmed, take the lift instead of the escalator or travelator.
3. Keep Grandchildren Off Luggage: No matter how tempting it is, don’t let them ride on suitcases. It’s simply not worth the risk.
4. Hold the Handrail: If you do use an escalator or travelator, always hold the handrail and stand still—don’t try to walk or run.
5. Pack Smart: Distribute weight evenly in your bags and avoid overpacking, which can make luggage harder to manage.
6. Take Your Time: Rushing increases the risk of accidents. Give yourself plenty of time to get through the airport, especially during busy periods.
Key Takeaways
- Brisbane Airport has warned travellers to stay alert and prioritise safety, especially during busy periods like Easter, after several accidents involving escalators and travelators were caught on CCTV.
- Thirty per cent of airport injuries happen on escalators and travelators, prompting officials to recommend using lifts instead to reduce risks.
- Many accidents are caused by ‘airport brain’, where distracted passengers focus on passports and flights instead of their surroundings, leading to slips, falls, and other incidents.
- Travellers are being reminded not to let children ride on suitcases, as this can easily lead to injuries — luggage is made for bags, not people.
We know travel can be stressful, but a little extra care can go a long way in making your journey safer and more enjoyable.
Have you ever experienced ‘airport brain’ or had a close call at the airport? Do you have any tips for staying safe while travelling? Share your stories and advice in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you! Safe travels, everyone!
