Excessive Alcohol Consumption Tops List of Annoying Air Travel Habits, Survey Reveals

Photo source: KLM.

A recent survey conducted among 2,000 air travelers has shed light on the most common faux pas experienced during flights. Commissioned by Skyscanner, a popular flight comparison website, the poll uncovered that the primary irritant for travelers is excessive drinking by fellow passengers.

Among the respondents, 48 percent expressed their frustration when witnessing fellow travelers indulge in excessive alcohol consumption during flights.

Queue-cutting emerged as the second most vexing behavior, with 43 percent of those surveyed citing it as a significant source of irritation. Similarly, passengers reclining their seats while food or drinks are being served garnered an equal share of the discontent, also at 43 percent.

Photo source: Flickr.

Notably, a substantial 40 percent of travelers found the act of reclining one’s seat at any point during the flight to be a breach of etiquette. Following closely behind, 35 percent expressed their disdain for individuals using electronic gadgets without headphones.

Additional air travel annoyances cited in the survey include passengers immediately standing up as the plane lands, leaving their bags on adjacent seats while they settle in, and those who claim both armrests for themselves. Furthermore, passengers who either drape their hair over the back of their seats or occupy multiple seats in departure lounges were also considered irksome by 28 percent of the respondents.

The comprehensive survey also provided insight into the top 15 most common flying faux pas, with the above-mentioned behaviors taking center stage, followed closely by behavior like
not having passports or boarding passes to hand and holding up the queue (24 percent) and taking shoes or socks off on the plane (22 percent).

In response to these irritating behaviors, a significant 74 percent of survey participants suggested a simple solution: passengers should seek the consent of the person behind them before reclining their seats.

Interestingly, the survey uncovered that 12 percent of UK travelers admitted to engaging in some of the annoying behaviors themselves, highlighting the need for greater awareness and courtesy among passengers.

Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s travel trends expert, also offered practical advice to mitigate certain annoyances. She recommended separating liquids before security checks and using in-airport pharmacies as a way to save time and streamline the travel experience.

In conclusion, the survey findings underscore the significance of adhering to common courtesies and etiquette when traveling by air.