I became fascinated with air travel at an early age, when I discovered I could leave freezing cold, dreary Connecticut behind in January, and two hours later, be in hot and sunny Florida. I think we’re all pretty fortunate to be living in this modern age, where we have the ability to jump on a plane and escape unattractive weather conditions. We can travel halfway around the world for relatively little money and in reasonable comfort. However, the more I travel, the more it seems that passengers are becoming increasingly selfish or oblivious to their actions on planes and how they impact the people around them. RELATED: The One Thing Some Women Do on Airplanes That Drives Me Nuts … And I Can’t Believe It’s Not Illegal
By being more considerate passengers, we can all make travel that much more enjoyable for everyone. Below are 10 terrible, horrible, no good, very bad airplane habits that I commonly see, along with my thoughts on how to be a better passenger:
1. Talking loudly on your phone or to seatmates
It astounds me when I hear people speaking so loudly on their phone or to a seatmate that I can hear them five rows back. It’s rude and careless—especially if it’s about sensitive business. You have no idea who’s listening and in this day and age of social media, you have to assume everyone is indeed listening. So speak softly no matter whether it’s a sensitive subject or not. Rest assured: Your loud voice is annoying everyone around you.
2. Not taking care of your personal hygiene
As a common courtesy, you should at least walk onto the plane clean and not reeking of BO. One of my worst flights involved a couple that smelled so bad, the passengers in the two rows around them literally had to plug their noses for the flight. Later, the flight attendants actually encouraged the offended passengers to write to Delta to complain and get a gift certificate. A close second in terms of hygiene-related offenses is when you see people clipping their nails, tweezing their eyebrows or putting nail polish on. It’s just rude and inconsiderate to put on nail polish on an airplane. Plus, it’s highly flammable (I wrote more on that topic here). If you ever see someone putting it on, either tell them to stop or ring the call button and ask the flight attendant if they smell nail polish. And don’t get me started on the person across the aisle who I saw flossing his teeth.
3. Bringing smelly food onboard
A McDonald’s cheeseburger may smell pretty good when it’s right out of the kitchen, but it doesn’t smell the same way once you’re airborne. The worst is tuna fish. Think twice about what kind of food you bring on your flight and be considerate of the people around you.
4. Taking your socks off
I can understand passengers wanting to take their shoes off after takeoff (don’t do it before, as it’s a safety hazard) but if you do, make sure your feet don’t smell. And regardless of whether they smell or not, don’t take your socks off so everyone can see your toes. This isn’t your living room. And bad airplane habits aside: Don’t ever walk into a lavatory with bare feet or socks that you plan on wearing again. An airplane bathroom floor is a breeding ground for germs and is just plain disgusting.
5. Playing music or videos too loud
You’d think that people would know that’s it’s not okay to play music or videos without earbuds/headphones on. But sadly, many don’t. The only thing worse is when passengers have earbuds/headphones on but they’re playing their music/video so loud that others can hear the noise. Not only is it bad for your ears, but it’s also rude. TIP: Bring earplugs and earbuds for yourself so you can put them on if a noisy seatmate won’t turn their volume down.
6. Sneezing/coughing without covering your mouth
My name is Johnny Jet and I’m a germaphobe. There. I said it. And I hate when passengers are coughing and/or sneezing without covering their mouths. Surely the pandemic has taught us not to do this, not when you’re outside in the fresh air, let alone in a metal tube, 30,000 feet in the air—especially with so many viruses out there, from colds and flus to Covid and RSV. I carry two masks when I fly: one for me and one to give to a rude or sick passenger who might need it.
7. Being rude or impatient with flight attendants and crew
I used to date a flight attendant so I know how difficult their jobs are … and this was before all the cutbacks. There’s no excuse as a passenger to be rude to a flight attendant unless the flight attendant is being rude to you. It’s not their problem that you didn’t notice that you don’t have seats together or that the entertainment system is down—although if you’re nice, they’ll do their best to help you. They’re just doing their job, and it’s not an easy one. I almost always bring flight attendants chocolates and greet them with a big smile. If there’s a problem during the flight, I know they’ll take good care of me—with or without the tokens of appreciation. Their job is to help and most will do it with a smile if you’re friendly.
8. Pushing, pulling or kicking other people’s seats
Unless you’re really old or handicapped, there’s no reason to push, pull or kick people’s seats when you’re getting up or walking down the aisles. Somehow, this happens all the time because people aren’t being considerate of those around them. Don’t be that person.
9. Ignoring your out-of-control kids
Usually, I find that kids are well-behaved and it’s the parents who aren’t. But once in a while you’ll see that out-of-control kid just running up and down the aisle screaming or playing their video games without headphones and the parents couldn’t care less. We all know that wrangling kids can be a challenge, but as a parent, just do your best to control the situation. That’s all anyone can ask. Ignoring it is what will irk everyone around you.
10. Pretending your dog is a service animal
I’ve been seeing an increase in travelers with dogs recently, and most of them have their companions wearing service dog harness vests. Unfortunately, I think many of these dogs aren’t really service dogs, as I know a number of people who say they’ve bought these vests so their animals fly for free, which is really pathetic in my opinion. I’m sure the industry is going to crack down on this sooner or later, which is only going to make it more difficult for those who really need a service dog and that’s a real shame.
What bad airplane habits irk you most?
I can think of many more bad airplane habits but first, I’d like to hear what you think should be on this list. Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
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My big pet peeve: Overloading with perfume. I have stood in a boarding line and PRAYED not to be seated next to the woman who was three people in front of me. My prayer was answered, but strong perfume can make me nauseated.
Hate the loud talkers and the large traveling groups who act like it’s the first time they’ve ever been out in public, calling constant attention to themselves, etc. REALLY hate any loud talkers and germ-spewing coughers who won’t cover their disgusting mouths. Not a fan of people who get up the second the plane lands, blocking the aisle so you can’t get up when it’s your turn (close connections aside). FINALLY, I hate that the flight attendants ignore so many of these behaviors. On a recent flight, several men, traveling together but seated in different rows, all drunk, were YELLING to each other, using really foul language, well before the cabin doors were closed. They should have been thrown off, but the flight attendants ignored it. I complained to Delta, and never heard a word in response.
People who lay there seats back in my lap.
Let’s talk about “the back of the seat in front”. That’s not just a phrase – the back of the seat you’re looking at is someone else’s seat. So everything you do to it is affecting the person sat in front of you. When you tug on it to get up or lower yourself into your seat, you’re pulling on that person’s seat. You don’t have a high backed chair in front of your sofa at home, yet you manage to get up and down from that without needing something to pull on. So why do you need to do that on the plane? Your plane seat has armrests to help you get up and down. I know we don’t have much room between rows, but use your own seat to brace yourself! Push against the back of that to keep yourself upright instead of tugging on the seat in front. Next – that video screen is a TOUCH screen. It will respond to the touch of a nail, never mind a finger. Do you push, jab or bang on the screen when using your phone or tablet? No. So there’s no need to do it to the seatback screen either. Don’t slam the tray table up and down and don’t let your kids put it down and then keep banging on it. As for seat reclining, I know it cuts down on our space when the seat in front does it, but let’s keep this in perspective. Most economy seats only recline by 3 inches, economy plus is about 5 inches. Over the past 20 years, I’ve probably flown every major airline in the world. So other than first/business class with lie-flat seats which recline into their own pod, I’d like to know which airlines have seats that recline all the way “into your lap”. Stop exaggerating. Re carry-on luggage, when it comes to the overhead bins, be considerate. Don’t store your 2 suitcases length-wise so you’re taking all the space for 6 seats. And if there’s still room after you’ve stowed your bags, don’t close the bin as that’s an indication that it’s full. And finally, if you’re wearing a backpack, be aware that when you turn, you’re swinging that 12″-18″ thick heavy object into the face of anyone sitting in the aisle seat behind you. With all the security rules in place, it’s already stressful enough being in the airport or on a plane. The least we can do is be considerate of our fellow passengers.
People who recline their seat in the economy. The ticket you bought is for you seat space not to invade other space and then you still have the guts to spread you hair out! How i wish i have scissors to cut them. You need to be mindful that at the back of your seat is a screen and tray table for the back passenger’s use. You uncivilized moron!
“Civil aviation” is truly an oxymoron — you have to wonder what cave some passengers crawled out of these days.
Cabin crew here. We do NOT want to deal with an allergic reaction to animals onboard (service or otherwise) and cannot deny their transport by law. We are made aware of their passage and try to alert those seated nearby but please keep your fur baby in their carrier — it’s for their safety as well.
men or women who flip long hair over the seat ……next to me on the plane or sitting next to me. it is digusting…..i don’t know or care to know what is in your hair. just be considerate please.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME OF US ARE ALLERGIC TO— DOGS, CATS, ANIMALS IF YOU BRING YOUR ANIMAL INTO THE SEATING AREA WE ARE SCREWED, WE HAVE PAID FOR OUR SEAT AND DO NOT WANT TO BE AN EMERGENCY CASE ON BOARD DUE TO NOT BREATHING-THO MANY OF US TAKE ANTIHISAMINES BEFORE WE BOARD ,BUT WE MAY EXPERIENCE SIDE EFFECTS
I’m allergic to animals, cigarette smoke, some perfumes and bad tempers. Sitting near someone who is obviously a heavy smoker makes me wheeze and cough and it’s not fun. Don’t know what to do except ask for another seat.
The number one irritation is if you are flying way in the back of coach, it takes you 20 minutes to get off an airplane because passengers wait until the very end to get out of their seat and gather their bags from the storage departments. There is no reason as the seats ahead of you start to empty that you don’t get ready. Get up, get your bag and be ready to move. I also have no problem with passengers departing from behind if I am not ready to deboard – dropped something, etc. Number one consideration – don’t block people from behind you from deplaning is they are ready to walk down the aisle – just get out of their way and keep the passengers moving. Some have tight connections. But no. Most just wait till the very end, get out of the seat and just take your time gathering your belongings while the aisle is now empty in front of you, and you have created a bottle neck. So inconsiderate. This same passenger takes all their sweet time to stand in the aisle on boarding while casually arranging the overhead instead of stepping aside. Letting passengers pass is a considerate passenger – remember you are not the only one on the airplane.
I have an amputation of my right leg and use a wheelchair most of the time, despite having a prosthetic leg. I booked a flight three months ahead of time, through my travel agent so I could get a bulkhead seat as mobility/seating is often problematic with me. All was set. When I went to board the plane. an older heavy-set woman was sitting in my seat. I showed her my boarding pass and explained to her she was sitting in my seat! She refused to move and then turned her ahead away and ignored me! Flight attendant could not get her to move either. The old woman kept on saying “no.” Flight attendant then, just took me to another row, where all three seats were empty thus giving me more room. Several minutes later when we up in the air, a woman with a screaming child passed me in the aisle while heading to the bathroom. When they were done, they exited the bathroom and headed up back toward their seat. A few minutes later, she returned, screaming child in tow, and asked me who was seating in the two empty seats next to me, while squeezing past me, dropping all their junk and bodies in those two seats! BTW, her little toddler was a “ride free sitting on parents lap.” I checked. So now I had lost my prebooked seat and she ended up with a free extra seat, for the child, who continued to yell and scream and jump all over her seat, for the duration of the 4-hour flight No parent intervention. To add insult to injury, I had also requested a wheelchair where I would exit the plane, as I had “checked” mine and that old lady who refused to get out of my seat said it was reserved for her! Plopped her butt in it and again refused to get out! Attendant said yes it was mine but there was nothing he could do as he couldn’t just pull her out of the chair, and she was now drawing the attention of everyone around as she started yelling that they were treating her cruelly and trying to take “HER” chair away. Attendant requested another wheelchair be sent for me. It arrived 40 minutes later. What a pleasant experience and flight! This happened 9 years ago, and I haven’t flown again since this happened. My dad worked for a major US airline for over 35 years and besides flying, we were taught to behave in a nonconfrontational manner and respect others. When this happened, I was 60 years old myself and not just a youngster trying to steal HER stolen seat X two!
Hi Martha
That is a crazy story. I’m so sorry there’s so many rude people out there. I don’t think it would happen today but if you ever get a whole row to yourself, you immediately have to sit in the middle.
Recliners are the worst!
How about a product I would call “ ACHOO” —which is nothing more than water in a small spray bottle. I pretend to sneeze and spray the mist of water over the recliner’s head in front of me! Then watch how fast they put their seat up!
Or if the recliner’s head is practically in my lap, ask “Would you like the facial today? Or the massage?”
Or, I have been known to yell “OUCH” when they recline! That sometimes works!
How about eliminating the games from the seatback entertainment. Try sitting in the seat where the guy behind you is poking the screen playing solitaire for the entire 5 hour flight.
I see women combing their hair while seated, not considering the people around or behind them. Ugh!!!!
I hate it when I pay extra to sit in upgraded seats and pick a seat close to the front of the plane just to have passengers with seats at the back of the plane come in and put their luggage in the overheads closest to the front. WRONG on too many levels and totally rude and inconsiderate.
These are not just airplane rules. These rules apply to everyone every day. These rules are simple courtesies of a civilized society.
How I handled someone who put their seat all the way down in front of me on my flight from LA to Sydney! After asking them to raise his seat a little, which he ignored, I acted like the buttons for my screen weren’t working and kept hitting them very hard so that I was basically stabbing him in the back and I kept saying that were weren’t working. He looked back at me, but I ignored him. Then, when he finally sat up straight, I said: Oh, they’re working now! He did NOT put his seat back down.
Imo, you can’t stress the lack of consideration from the person behind you- whether it’s the person who lets their tray table flop down without catching it, the person who keeps digging in the pocket behind you (seats are too thin, so you feel everything), or the parent with a 3 year old who has no way to understand that their straight-legged kicking of that seat is either keeping someone awake, or forcing them to consider a murderous act at 40k’.
I find people wearing strong perfume offensive! It’s actually worse than body odor, although that’s a close second. Perfume triggers asthma and increased respiratory distress in people with common conditions such as COPD, allergiesr, reactive airway disease and even if you have just recovered from a cold. It’s rude. A good habit is to come aboard clean with no strong odors from yourself or anything you carry aboard. I appreciate curtesy from my fellow passengers and do my best to respectful to my fellow passengers.