Bad behavior flourishes in the skies, and the stats back it up. In 2023, there was one reported unruly passenger incident for every 480 flights. This statistic is based on over 24,500 incident reports from more than 50 global airlines, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Flight attendants across major airlines have reported a surge in bad behavior from passengers since 2020, some of whom say the cabin environment has become more fraught than at any other time. The F.A.A. has noticed, too; it has proposed more than $8 million in fines for unruly passengers in just the last few years. What’s behind this sky-high rudeness, and what can you do to avoid adding to these disturbing statistics?
Let’s break down the airplane behaviors that’ll have your fellow passengers rolling their eyes, flight attendants reaching for their incident reports, and possibly land you on a no-fly list.
Ignoring flight crew instructions
Flight attendants aren’t asking you to buckle your seatbelt or put your tray table up just to flex their authority; they’re following federal safety regulations. Passengers who violate certain rules during flights, such as those related to unruly behavior, can face fines of up to $37,000 per violation, under the F.A.A.’s guidelines.
Your refusal to comply with basic safety standards puts the whole flight at risk. It indicates a truly staggering level of disrespect and disregard for those around you.
Playing audio without headphones
Nothing says “Oh, get ready, i am the star of this flight” like blaring your TikTok videos for the whole cabin to enjoy. Flight attendants, for example, say they’ve noticed a growing number of passengers watching movies or playing games or scrolling through social media with the sound on full blast. Your hilarious cat videos may amuse you, but they are torture for people trying to sleep, work, or just live in peace.
There’s a reason airlines sell headphones, and most dollar stores have backup earbuds. There’s no good reason why strangers should be forced to endure your entertainment options.
Reclining your seat without warning
That sudden thunk of the seat in front slamming into your laptop? It’s become airplane enemy number one. A 2023 survey by Upgraded Points found that 41% of passengers think it’s rude to recline seats during a flight, making it one of the most annoying in-flight behaviors. The polite move? Just give the person behind you two seconds’ warning before you recline.
With seat pitches on airlines having steadily shrunk in recent years, that recline can feel like an invasion. Some passengers even carry devices that prevent seats from being put back. A small amount of civility goes a long way in close quarters.
Bringing smelly food on board
While tuna fish sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, and leftover curry may hit the spot on the ground, they act as instruments of mass destruction inside a pressurized cabin. Airlines don’t specifically forbid smelly foods, but passenger surveys find that strong food odors regularly rank in the top five in-flight complaints. Because it recirculates the same air, the lunch you eat matters to everyone within a few rows.
Flight attendants report receiving complaints about smelly foods on nearly every flight, especially during meal times when passengers bring in outside food. Some thoughtful travellers even gather the opinion of those sitting nearby as to whether the smell of their food will be disruptive before they open their containers.
Taking over both armrests like you’re the king of the plane
The battle of the armrests has raged as long as commercial aviation has, but the etiquette gods have given us an actual answer on this one. According to former flight attendant Jacqueline Whitmore, there is an unspoken rule that the person in the middle seat gets both armrests because the person in the aisle can get up without any problems, and the window seat has the view.
A survey reported by Frommers found that 39.07% of respondents found armrest hogging to be one of the most annoying in-flight behaviors. Yet, passengers continue to spread their elbows like they’re claiming territory in the Wild West. The unwritten rule is simple: share the space, don’t dominate it.
Leaving your mess behind
Airlines employ cleaning crews, but they are not your private maids. Flight attendants report that passengers are misusing their seats as trash cans, leaving behind food containers, napkins, bottles, and tissues in the seat pocket.
The Aircraft Cleanliness Initiative found that sloppy passengers add 15 minutes, on average, to aircraft turnaround times between flights. It’s inconsiderate, especially since, as the delayed cleaning is late, so are all the other flights. What you’re really doing is creating a job for overworked airline employees who are tight on time between flights.
Getting personal with the aisle
Your fellow passengers didn’t pay hundreds of dollars to have your legs, bags, or body parts spilling into their space. According to Mighty Travels, there is growing discomfort in economy cabins due to shrinking personal space. This includes passengers who drape their legs across the aisle, use the back of their seat as a pull-up bar, or lean into their row while talking to their travel companion.
Flight attendants pushing meal carts need aisle space to ensure safety. If you fail to keep your arms and legs to yourself, you suddenly become an impediment to everyone else on the plane trying to get where they’re going.
Treating seatbelt signs like suggestions
That illuminating seatbelt sign isn’t a friendly recommendation; it’s a federal mandate supported by serious safety concerns. Flight attendants are unable to serve drinks or meals when passengers are roaming the aisles during turbulence, which impedes service for everyone.
The F.A.A. is serious about ensuring people keep their seatbelts fastened, and those who do not comply can be fined thousands of dollars. Pilots flip those signs on if the weather radar shows you might be headed into hazardous conditions.
Speaking as if you’re in a sports bar
Airplane cabins, of course, accentuate sound; even everyday conversation can sometimes feel too loud to passengers nearby. FAA studies have found that loud conversations raise cabin noise and stress. Phone calls, especially on night flights, can disturb others who are trying to rest.
Flight attendants routinely step in when passengers refuse to speak in more hushed tones. Be aware, adjust your volume based on the small space.
Abusing the call button
Flight attendants are not room service waiters, and the call button is not your personal bellhop. Airlines say they have been seeing greater problems with passengers abusing call buttons for non-urgent things like extra snacks, blankets that aren’t offered, or special treatment. Yes, flight attendants have legitimate safety duties that trump convenience queries.
They’ve been trained in medical emergencies, security threats, and safety procedures, but not instructed to fetch your forgotten reading glasses from the overhead bin. This is because most of the in-flight services are performed on rounds, and the call button should only be used for emergencies; however, for convenience, you can wait for natural service.
Gate crowding like Black Friday shoppers
Airlines board passengers in groups for a reason, but some people crowd the gate as if the plane will leave without them. Industry pros call these passengers “gate lice.” This behavior creates chaos, blocks others, and slows the process, adding 8-12 minutes to boarding times, according to the International Air Transport Association.
With assigned seats, there’s no reason to hurry; your seat will wait for you.
Smuggling personal alcohol
Airlines do not allow passengers to drink their own alcohol on the plane. Still, flight attendants frequently catch travelers trying to drink from bottles or flasks. The FAA sees it as a particularly egregious violation that could result in fines as high as $11,000, as well as possible criminal charges. Drunk passengers sometimes get loud, disruptive, or argumentative, creating a negative impact on others traveling on the same flight.
Airlines limit alcohol service to manage levels of consumption and maintain cabin safety. Flight attendants are trained to notice intoxication. They may deny alcohol service or notify authorities upon landing. That concealed flask may appear innocuous, but it contravenes a set of federal regulations intended to ensure the safety of everyone in the sky.
Getting physical
Physical altercations on aircraft have reached alarming levels. A 2021 survey by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA revealed that 17% of flight attendants experienced physical incidents with disruptive passengers. Violence on flights is a federal crime punishable by mandatory prison time and lifelong banishment from commercial air travel.
Airlines now exchange the names of unruly passengers, so one act of violence can lead to being blocked by multiple carriers. Physical force endangers everyone on the plane and can lead to emergency landings that cost airlines hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Passing gas without basic courtesy
Planes are the perfect recipe for digestive discomfort. Changing altitudes and pressure, combined with airline food, can wreak havoc on your system. Thanks to the recycled air system, all your bodily functions are shared with everyone around you for hours on end.
Flight attendants recommend sneaking off as quietly as possible to the restroom or, at the very least, presenting a soft “excuse me” to other passengers in the vicinity. Some passengers pack activated charcoal tablets or other cures designed to reduce this problem when they fly.
Overhead bin chaos
We all know overhead bin space is a first-come, first-served luxury. Still, Overhead bin space operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Still, some Passengers often treat overhead bins like personal storage, causing conflicts by spreading belongings across multiple bins, moving others’ bags, or cramming oversized items into small spaces.
According to a presentation at the European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences, personal overhead bins can improve boarding and disembarking by reducing aisle interference and optimizing flow. Flight attendants frequently reorganize poorly packed bins, and oversized bags take up space meant for others.
Disrespecting airline staff
Flight attendants and gate agents have become punching bags for passenger frustration, subject to record levels of verbal abuse, threats, and harassment.
These airline employees are not on the job to delay flights any more than you are, to cancel them because of weather problems or company policies, or, as has happened several times this month, to sit on a runway with thousands of other people for hours. Verbal or physical abuse of our crew can result in law enforcement being contacted, subjecting you to arrest and prosecution.
Key takeaways
Air travel doesn’t have to be a nightmare for everyone involved. The spike in disruptive passenger behavior is the work of a more general social ill. Still, choices do matter even when you are sharing space with hundreds of strangers at 35,000 feet.
At their heart, most of these etiquette-breaking habits come back to common courtesy and treating crew members and fellow passengers like fellow humans who merit some respect and personal space.
Airlines are cracking down harder than ever on disruptive behavior, with fines, flight bans, and criminal charges becoming standard consequences for serious violations. Your fellow travelers will appreciate your courtesy, flight attendants can focus on safety instead of behavior management, and you’ll arrive at your destination without becoming an internet meme or FBI case study.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Disclosure: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.
12 Laws And Rules About Food In Other Countries
12 Laws And Rules About Food In Other Countries
Food is more than just nourishment; it’s a reflection of culture, tradition, and, in many cases, the law. Around the world, various countries have established distinct food regulations that may surprise travelers and food enthusiasts alike.
These laws reveal how deeply societies value what ends up on their plates. Here are 12 fascinating food laws and rules from around the globe that show just how diverse and sometimes unexpected our relationship with food can be.
