Men Are ‘Raw Dogging’ It On Flights — Here’s What The Weird Travel Trend Means

By maks in Travel On 26th June 2024
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The term "raw-dogging" has emerged as the hottest travel trend this summer. 

It describes passengers who choose to skip all the usual in-flight comforts and either watch the flight map or simply stare blankly for the duration of their flight.

The “raw-dogging” trend sees frequent flyers take long journeys sans entertain, food, water or sleep as a self-imposed mental and physical challenge. Yaroslav Astakhov – stock.adobe.com

No music, no movies, no snacks, and no sleep.

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"I have never seen so many people raw-dogging a flight in my life," shared Michelle, a beauty influencer from New York, in a TikTok video's caption.

"Literally just staring straight ahead the entire time?" she questioned in her video, which showed a plane full of travelers flying distraction-free.

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"This was a 5-HOUR flight from NYC to [San Francisco]."

This trend of anti-indulgence is loosely inspired by Idris Elba's character, Sam Nelson, in the Apple TV series "Hijacked."

Elba has no choice but to raw-dog it in the hit series “Hijacked.” Apple TV

In this seven-episode series, the charming hero endures over seven hours on a flight from Dubai to London without any amenities after his plane is overtaken by criminals.

Unlike other tricks that help nervous flyers relax, like "going over the alpha bridge" — a method to help passengers sleep — raw-dogging is about challenging one's mental and physical endurance.

"Just raw-dogged a 7-hour flight (new personal best)," boasted Wudini, a UK DJ, to his 13.2 million TikTok followers. "No headphones, no movie, no water, nothing."

"Incredible," he added. "The power of my mind knows no bounds."

Online, some raw-dog flyers claim traveling without distractions strengthens their minds. TikTok / @oiwudini
Men and women are challenging themselves to bypass any rest, refreshments or revelry while taking extended flights. TikTok / @jdrunsfar
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Foot told commenters that he was “stronger” for having experienced a 15-hour raw-dogging flight. TikTok / @torrenfoot

Australian musician Torren Foot also shared his experience of a no-fun, 15-hour flight to Los Angeles in a popular raw-dogging video.

He described the journey as the longest he has ever endured without any rest or entertainment. 

"No music, no movies," wrote Foot, "just the flight map."

Westy, a content creator from London, also completed this unique challenge.

He took to social media to share his achievement with nearly 2 million followers who were clearly impressed.

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But this trend of zen-like boredom isn’t just for men.

Moms seeking a bit of tranquility, like 34-year-old Johanna Riehm from New York, are also embracing the quietude.

"My beige flag is that I like to raw dog flights," she wrote in a post, capturing herself watching the plane's progress from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Caribbean.

"I sit there in silence with my thoughts and just watch the little GPS plane."