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Most travellers follow the rules — but some are slipping through without a ticket. Credit: Joshua Woroniecki via Canva Pro
No ticket? No problem. The scene sounds like it could be the beginning of a badly written heist flick: someone walks past airport staff pretending to scan the boarding passes, then slips by the flight bound for sunny Spain with no ticket, no boarding cards, and no seat numbers. This is not fiction. It’s a real scenario that takes place in Europe’s airports. Spain was the chosen destination.
The new stowaways
The 1960s are long gone, and no one would have hid in the cargo. The boarding gate staff are more brazen, bolder and successful today. Last year, at Zurich Airport, an unidentified woman was able to sneak on a flight from Zurich to Amsterdam by timing her moves perfectly and slipping past distracted staff. She tried again two weeks later with Barcelona as her destination. Did she get through? She managed to make it through the gate.
Zurich Airport reported that in 2023, there was only one report of this type. In 2025, however, there were four. While the numbers may seem small, experts are concerned because the rise in cases is not expected.
The method: slipstream travel
The majority of these stealthy passengers do not use hacking tools or pick locks. They rely instead on great timing, digital blindspots, and anonymity. Here’s how to do it: Waiting Near the boarding gates Watch someone The QR code will appear. Quickly follow Behind close enough to slip by
It is called “Slipstreaming” or “tailgating”, It works surprisingly well in airports, subways and buses. What happens if someone manages to pull off this trick but is caught? To be honest, it doesn’t seem to matter much. The woman in Switzerland who boarded the plane without a ticket received a fine of 500 Swiss Francs (approximately 500 euros).
She was not subject to any consequences, she wasn’t put on a blacklist and there were no jail terms or scandals unless the incident involved a breach of security. It is shockingly easy to get away with breaking the rules in Europe.
Although sneaking on a plane without having a ticket may be illegal, if done with the right timing and ease, it can reveal:
- Automating without backup can create loopholes
- Targets include airports that have high volumes, such as Spain
- Travel security is more focused on terrorists than everyday opportunists
The boarding card is not a formality.
Flying is a chaotic and structured process for most of us. It involves bag drops, security checks at gates, zone calls, gate shuffling and awkward smiles. Some passengers have mastered the art of flying by focusing on timing, distractions, and avoiding penalties.
Spain isn’t the problem, but it has become the most popular destination for Europe’s “invisible fliers”. Until airports close these gaps using staff instead of sensors, it is possible that more stowaways will gain popularity and we may hear more stories. Next time you board the plane, look behind you. Someone might be flying for free.
