Expedia ranks most infuriating airline passengers

A carefree young girl annoying the passenger infront by pushing his seat.

By Daisy Melwani

Who takes the gong as the worst type of airline passenger? Chatty Cathy, Slimey Sam or perhaps someone we can relate to – The Boozer?

Global OTA Expedia.com has released its latest Airplane Etiquette Study, a survey of over 1000 Americans on in-flight conduct, specifically – who were the best and worst in-flight passengers.

The survey, commissioned by independent global market research company GfK, found 64% said out of all common behaviours including inattentive parenting, undressing, and overly enthusiastic chatters, the “rear-seat kicker” was the worst of the bunch.

Following in a close second with 59% of respondents agreeing “Inattentive Parents“, defined as “parents who have no control over, or pay no attention to, their crying, whining or misbehaved children” were almost equally annoying, per a Travel Agent Central report.

Other common mid-flight faux pas which did not go unnoticed included the “Aromatic” passengers – those with poor hygiene or those wearing excessive cologne or perfume – voted by 55% coming in as the third least-liked.

A common mistake without realising it is often committed by the “Audio Insensitive”, the passenger who talks loudly or listens to music without consideration for fellow guests took 49% of the votes.

Perhaps more noticeable on full-service flights is “The Boozer”, annoying some 49% of flyers, and “Chatty Cathy” – a regular on Travel Weekly staff flights who strikes up conversation, and never stops. The survey, as per the paper report, claims 65% of respondents “dread” sitting next to a chatterbox, and would even pay more to sit in a “designated quiet zone” if the airline had one.

Passengers who immediately reclines their seat after take-off, aka the “Seat-Back Guy” – we all know who you are – and we dislike you. The survey found 37% would choose to have reclining seats banned entirely, or restricted somewhat on short-haul flights, Travel Agent Central reports.

However despite these unfavourable behaviours, only one in ten are likely to confront the passenger in question directly, but 13% would record it on their phone. You’re likely to also get socially shamed, with 5% taking to social streams to vent.

We’re not sure if airline’s will choose to follow Air New Zealand’s inflight safety videos after learning just 42% pay attention to safety presentations “occasionally”.

The full list of onboard etiquette faux-pas passengers include:

The Rear Seat Kicker	64 percent
Inattentive Parents	59 percent
The Aromatic Passenger	55 percent
The Audio Insensitive	49 percent
The Boozer	49 percent
Chatty Cathy	40 percent
The Queue Jumper	35 percent
Seat-Back Guy	35 percent
The Armrest Hog	34 percent
Pungent Foodies	30 percent
The Undresser	28 percent
The Amorous	28 percent
The Mad Bladder	22 percent
The Single and Ready to Mingle	18 percent

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

airline aviation etiquette expedia Expedia.com flying passengers survey