Passenger quirks during flights can be particularly irritating for experienced travelers. Odd behaviors inside the cabin can distract and disturb others. These behaviors often differ between domestic and international flights. On domestic routes, passengers may be annoyed by actions that violate local etiquette, while on international flights, you might encounter behaviors you’ve never seen before.
Since the post-pandemic recovery of aviation, we’re flying more than ever. This means more interactions with passengers and a greater chance to observe their behavior. Based on these observations, here are the 5 most annoying passenger behaviors:
1. The Annoying Business-Class Passenger
Arguably, the most irritating passenger is one who buys a business-class ticket but spends most of the flight wandering through the economy cabin. Instead of enjoying the premium services they paid for, they walk around the economy section. To make matters worse, pulling the curtain between the business and the economy upon returning to their seat is considered rude and off-putting by other passengers.
2. Turning the Emergency Exit into a Bus Stop
Experts recommend walking during long flights to prevent health issues caused by prolonged inactivity. While standing up and walking is encouraged, lingering in front of another passenger for too long is annoying. Blocking the emergency exit can make it feel like waiting at a bus stop, a behavior that seasoned travelers find particularly irritating.
3. Passengers Stashing Bags in Business Class
Some economy-class passengers who have previously flown business try to sneakily place their carry-ons in business-class overhead bins. Experienced travelers notice when these passengers board, look for available space in the premium section, and put their bags there. This behavior, though clever for the individual, is frustrating for other passengers who observe it.
4. The Passenger Who Hoards Snacks
Another annoying behavior is passengers stuffing in-flight snacks into their bags. This is more common on short flights, where taking more than your share is considered impolite. On long-haul flights, this is usually acceptable, as you may not know what food will be available at your destination. But grabbing extra snacks on a two-hour flight can irritate fellow passengers.
5. Passengers Who Disrespect Cabin Crew
Cabin crews are trained to ensure passengers travel safely and comfortably, often smiling even when they’re having a tough day. Yet some passengers behave rudely toward them, whistling, snapping fingers, or speaking condescendingly. Experienced travelers find this extremely annoying. These passengers are usually seen as the worst offenders, as they show disrespect to crews who are simply doing their jobs.