Departure location’s pretentiousness before journey (8)
I believe the answer is:
airstrip
'departure location's pretentiousness before journey' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'pretentiousness before journey' is the wordplay.
'pretentiousness' becomes 'airs' (I've seen this in another clue).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'journey' becomes 'trip' (trip is a kind of journey).
'airs'+'trip'='AIRSTRIP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for airstrip that I've seen before include "Small landing-place" , "Simple runway" , "Rough landing area" , "for those taking flight?" , "Small runway" .)