The online world has a knack for trends, and this summer, the buzz in travel-related social media has been about “rawdogging.”

Don’t get the wrong idea.

This refers to the act of doing absolutely nothing during a flight.

Honestly, it might sound a bit absurd. Many people I connected with on social media who claimed to embrace this trend admitted they were just joking around to be part of the latest meme. However, some are genuinely engaging in this practice, stating that it helps them relax while flying.

So, what’s the real story? Is this minimalist approach to travel becoming the latest trend? And is it worth trying out? Here’s what I’ve discovered.

What does ‘rawdogging’ a flight mean?

This concept seems to have gained momentum at the end of June following a GQ article.

The article defines rawdogging as passengers avoiding all forms of entertainment on a flight—some enthusiasts even skip eating, drinking, or using the restroom—simply gazing out the window or focusing on the flight path.

William O’Neal, a 54-year-old tech worker from Oakland, California, shared that he recently embraced this mindful travel practice, and found it surprisingly effective for relaxation during flights.

“Flying can be fascinating, where I usually expect to be entertained the whole time,” he explained. “What if I abandon this need for constant entertainment?”

I can understand his perspective. Personally, I enjoy flying and often make an effort to disconnect from in-flight Wi-Fi. For me, planes used to be one of the last bastions of true disconnection. However, as airlines increasingly offer fast streaming internet, that reality is fading.

O’Neal mentioned, “People labeled ‘rawdogging’ as a dopamine cleanse, and that appeals to me because it encourages you not to habitually reach for distractions, but to sit with your thoughts and see how that feels.”

Meme or genuine trend?

I admit I was very doubtful about the existence of this trend of going without entertainment on flights until I spoke with O’Neal. Many social media posts around it appeared to be humorous, and it’s often tough to verify whether anyone genuinely engages in this practice.

“I found it utterly ridiculous,” said Jeremy Jacobowitz, a 37-year-old content creator from Brooklyn. Jacobowitz mentioned in a post that he thought about trying the trend during a nine-hour flight, but later through texts and a phone call, he confessed he never truly intended to follow through.

“I didn’t see any genuine posts about rawdogging; they all seemed like jokes,” he said. “How do you prove you did this on a nine-hour flight? It relies on trust, and I doubt anyone would care enough to do it.”

Even O’Neal, who enjoys the serene aspect of rawdogging, acknowledged that discussing it feels somewhat pointless.

“Many people simply sit in stillness and gaze out the window, opting for tranquility over mindlessly scrolling through their phones,” he said. “It sounds absurd when I explain it because it’s something you can do without mentioning it.”

This is a valid argument: while this meme might be perceived as a legitimate trend online this summer, it’s certainly not something new. Many individuals, particularly aviation enthusiasts like myself, have long appreciated a window seat and the excitement of takeoff to enhance their flying experience.

My thoughts

Ultimately, whether this is a trend, a meme, or an elaborate internet prank is irrelevant.

“Most trends online have a mix of irony and silliness,” Jacobowitz shared about internet fads.

If you want to disconnect while flying, go ahead. If you prefer to binge-watch your favorite series like my colleague David Slotnick on a long flight, that’s perfectly fine too.

At the end of the day, I believe that travel—whether for work or pleasure—should be enjoyable and exciting. Flying is an incredible feat of engineering and something truly remarkable we all get to experience. If you choose to meditate at 35,000 feet, fantastic! If you prefer to keep entertained while using multiple devices in a flying metal tube, enjoy! Ultimately, do what brings you joy. Just, for goodness’ sake, keep the window shade open so everyone can appreciate the view.