I went to Delhi T3 to find out how long airport goodbyes take. This is what I found

If you’re an Indian, you know that travelling has grown into a full-blown event. From packing an extra bag with home-cooked food, to adding at least a two-hour cushion “just in case” (a timeframe only family members seem to understand), and that inevitable last-minute shouting match before leaving – these rituals are simply part of our travel routine.
When it comes to air travel, things get even more intense. With restrictions on baggage and the rule to arrive three hours early, the farewell ritual is a saga in itself. Given the typical Indian stereotypes of being family-oriented and emotionally expressive, it’s no surprise that airports are the stage for heartwarming, and sometimes tearful, goodbyes.

A still from Delhi airport. Photo: Author/Illustration by Vani Gupta/Inida Today

Goodbyes are rarely easy. Whether it’s family members waving off a son or daughter chasing their dreams, or a couple parting for work in another city, farewells are always bittersweet. Those smiles masking the tears, the heartfelt “Aate hain, jald hi” (see you soon)—these make the farewell all the more touching. And that was precisely the scene at Terminal 3 Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where India Today went to see just how long Indians take to say their goodbyes.
Dunedin airport (DUD), a small airport serving New Zealand’s South Island, has recently gained global attention after introducing new signage at its drop-off area, imposing a time limit on pre-departure hugs.
The sign, which has sparked worldwide debate online, sets a three-minute limit for ‘hugs’ in the drop-off zone.
Despite the backlash, airport officials have justified the new rule, explaining that anyone needing a longer farewell can do so in the nearby parking lots.

The sign, which has sparked worldwide debate online, sets a three-minute limit for ‘hugs’ at Dunedin’s airport. Photo: X/@Em

The reasoning behind this cap, they argue, is pretty simple: it aims to reduce congestion in the drop-off zone and enhance the overall passenger experience.
Given that the airport has just one terminal with a limited number of flights each week, and the parking lot is conveniently close, they believe this measure is both practical and efficient.
This online debate made us wonder how Indians say goodbye, and if at all, it is possible to bring a similar law here. We observed and spoke to various people who were dropping off their loved ones at one of the busiest airports in India – the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3.
The kiss-and-say-goodbye routine certainly seems to not work with Indians. Families coming to the airport to drop off their loved ones often stay for a minimum of 30 minutes, if not longer.
For example, we met Rachna (and her family), a homemaker from Delhi, who had come to see off her in-laws travelling to the US. She mentioned that they arrived four hours before the flight. Even after saying goodbye, Rachna remained outside the airport for at least 40 minutes to ensure that her in-laws, who are in their 60s, checked-in properly.
“I’m waiting for a call from them to confirm they’ve boarded. I’m just here to ensure their luggage isn’t overweight,” Rachna explained. Most airlines permit only 15–25 kg (23-46 for international flights) for check-in baggage, and exceeding this limit incurs additional fees—something travellers naturally try to avoid. This is why it’s common to see family members waiting outside, keeping an eye on the weight of the luggage before their loved ones proceed further.

Delhi airport’s terminal 3 can handle up to 45 million passengers each year. Photo: Getty Images

Rachna also demanded to allow family members, particularly those accompanying elderly relatives, to accompany passengers further inside until they’ve boarded.
We noticed countless other families, like Rachna’s, waiting to see their loved ones with a heavy heart and teary eyes. For example, Renu, her husband, and his brother, who came to see off their son for a domestic flight as he returned to his job, waited outside the airport for at least 45 minutes just to confirm that he had cleared security without any event.
Another common scene was families and friends enjoying a mini-picnic of sorts, sharing food and drinks as part of the farewell. This often takes more than three hours. This ‘picnic’ they set up right beside the drop-off area.

People arriving 4-5 hours early with their family is a common scene at Indian airports. Photo: Author/Illustration by Vani Gupta/India Today

Selfies and photo sessions were also a big reason for the long goodbyes. For instance, we met a newly-wed couple, headed for their honeymoon in Goa, who spent at least 20 minutes taking photos with family members who had come to send them off.
Kiran, a ground staff member who works at Delhi airport terminal 3, tells us that she has seen “people coming at night for their morning flights, with their family”.
“It is fairly common to see people coming with their family hours before the flight. People who have morning flights come at night; people who have afternoon flights come 4–5 hours before,” says Kiran.
Across its three terminals, Delhi airport handles up to 1,250+ flights daily. Terminal 3 is one of the busiest, handling both domestic and international flights. It also serves as a major transit point in India, accommodating popular Indian carriers such as Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo.
It is also one of the biggest terminals in the world and can handle up to 45 million passengers every year, which translates to more than 1.2 lakh passengers every day. Despite this overwhelming crowd, the CISF spokesperson that we spoke to said that it takes only ‘10-15 minutes for people to enter’. This number is inclusive of the rush in festivals like Diwali.
The Delhi airport has signage at each gate showing the approximate wait time, allowing passengers to manage their time accordingly. This signage was renovated by former aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia after the chaos during the last year’s New Year’s rush.
PS: You can also check how long it will take you to get through the queue on Delhi airport’s website.
For parking though, terminal 3 offers only 8 minutes of free pick-up time for private vehicles. If you extend this time, your money will be automatically deducted via FASTag. People also often take cab services from third-party apps like Ola, and Uber, which have their separately allotted parking areas.
All in all, it’s clear that Indians take their time to say goodbye. A rule like the one at New Zealand’s Dunedin airport wouldn’t quite work here, as taking photos, sharing food, and giving long hugs are all part of our farewell traditions. These customs have become such a natural part of our goodbyes that it’s hard to imagine rounding them off in just 3 minutes.