While flying can be an exciting and convenient way to get around, it can also be a stressful and uncomfortable experience, particularly when dealing with other passengers’ bad manners. Now a new study by YouGov – conducted across 18 international markets – explores which behaviours passengers find most irksome.
Not surprisingly the survey reveals that drunkenness is the least acceptable amongst consumers, with more than half saying that it’s completely unacceptable (55%) and a further fifth describing it as somewhat unacceptable (20%).
While personal grooming in public – such as combing hair or clipping nails – won’t be tolerated by more than half (55%), less than a third feel the same way about public displays of affection (28%).
The proportion who finds loud and noisy children above the age of four a pain (60%) is more than twice those who think the same about crying babies (25%).
Almost eight in 10 (78%) are annoyed by passengers who don’t use headphones while watching or listening to media.
Removing footwear is a big no-no. More than half say that taking off shoes or socks is just not on (51%), but that’s not as irritating to fliers as the person in front fully reclining their seat (53%). Small talk by fellow passengers is somewhat less annoying, with 39% saying it’s not acceptable.
As air travel continues to pick up pace once again, it may be important for both passengers and airlines to consider these findings and work towards creating a positive and comfortable environment for everyone on board.