Start Your Holiday Early: The Thinking Behind Our Print Before You Fly Campaign

Over the years of working with print, there is one thing we hear time and time again: magazines are something people buy at the airport before boarding their flight.

And it makes sense. You’re about to spend three hours on a plane, there’s no Wi-Fi to scroll through your reels, and so print it is.

For some, this has turned print into a holiday luxury; something you buy when you’re about to escape everyday life. But it makes us wonder why it takes a trip away for us to truly appreciate the benefits of print over digital. Why does it take a last-minute dash to WHSmith when the experience of choosing your next read could be so much more enjoyable?

At Unique Magazines, we’re lovers of all things print. Whether that’s mainstream favourites covering trending topics, niche independent publications packed with fresh perspectives, or books filled with knitting inspiration, travel stories and creative ideas, we’re here for it. We love seeing publishing drive positive change, spark curiosity and conversations through their print. 

Something we do notice, however, is that options can often be limited in traditional newsagents and airports. Usually, it’s the mainstream favourites that make it onto the shelves. Don’t get us wrong, we’re glad those options exist, but your choice can be so much broader when you choose to shop local and independent before you travel.

It opens the door to discoveries that simply aren’t possible when you’re choosing from a limited selection moments before boarding your flight.

To us, browsing slowly and intentionally is what makes print so special. It isn’t about picking up something because it’ll fill the journey. It’s about choosing something that genuinely interests you. It’s about using your hard-earned holiday funds on a publication that helps your mind wander away from the digital noise of everyday life and into something that feeds your curiosity, creativity or passion.

That’s why we’re excited to launch our Print Before You Fly campaign.

A celebration of shopping local, independent and intentionally before you jet off, giving yourself more choice, more inspiration and a chance to start your holiday experience before you’ve even stepped into the airport.

Print Before You Fly celebrates all forms of print, from food and travel to specialist interests such as surfing, cycling, sailing, mindfulness, football and cars. It’s about taking whatever you love with you, wherever you’re going.

It’s that precious “me time” we all search for when we go away. The out-of-office is on, the work version of yourself has been left behind, and suddenly you’re sitting by the pool reading about those retro cars your dad always talked about, or rediscovering your love of surfing after trying it years ago with a friend.

It’s a glimpse into who you are outside of work, routine and responsibilities. A chance to reconnect with the things that genuinely interest you and switch off with something reliable, immersive and real.

We believe everyone deserves to find something that makes them feel seen. By visiting Unique Magazines before your holiday, you’re giving yourself the time to browse, explore and handpick a magazine that’s right for you. With thousands of mainstream, independent and specialist titles available, you’re far more likely to discover something you genuinely won’t want to put down.

And to make it even better, every magazine in our store is available at the standard UK cover price, making it no more expensive than buying at the airport, just with a much wider choice and a more enjoyable experience.

And if you’re not local, you don’t have to miss out, our full range is available online, with delivery to your door before you head to the airport!

After years of hearing, “I usually just pick up a magazine at the airport before I go away,” we’d love people to start associating print with more than just holidays.

We want people to start their holiday early and bring that feeling home with them afterwards. To make print part of everyday life, not just a travel essential. To turn finding your next read into something memorable, immersive and personal, rather than a last-minute purchase.

Throughout the campaign, you can expect packing hauls, print abroad, magazine and destination pairings, and a series of summer events celebrating food, travel, cocktails and creativity.

We can’t wait to help more people discover print and find the perfect holiday read before they fly.