From filming TikToks (33%) to keeping up with your daily step count in the air (24%) new research from Booking.com reveals the modern in-flight habits frustrating passengers most – as travellers become increasingly divided over what’s acceptable behaviour at 30,000ft.
The findings reveal a growing “home-from-home” mentality in the cabin, with two thirds (67%) of travellers admitting they behave no differently on a plane than they do at home, bringing once-private habits into shared travel spaces.
While many are quick to call out these sky-high slip-ups, the research reveals a more contradictory reality. Despite 89% believing passengers should behave as they would on any other form of public transport, one in ten (11%) admit to kicking off their shoes and going barefoot during a flight. However, passengers are even more likely to take issue with what others bring on board, with pungent foods proving an even bigger bugbear (43%). Sushi (38%), garlic-heavy dishes (32%) and boiled eggs (31%) were named among the worst offenders.
Over three quarters (76%) admit comfort is their top priority when flying – something which becomes particularly important on long-haul journeys, where passengers share a confined space for many hours. And with Booking.com flight search data** showing growing interest in far-flung destinations this summer, with Hanoi, Vietnam (+68%) the top trending flight this summer, more Brits are set to spend several hours in the air – making good in-flight etiquette more important than ever.
While some modern in-flight habits are harmless, others are leaving passengers increasingly frustrated. Yet despite the growing tensions in the cabin, most travellers still prefer to avoid confrontation. 31% say they would rather quietly tolerate irritating behaviour than speak up, instead venting to friends or family after the flight (36%).
To help navigate these changing norms, Booking.com has partnered with the Queen of Etiquette, Laura Windsor to decode the most talked-about in-flight behaviours – separating what’s acceptable from what should stay grounded.
Laura Windsor, Booking.com’s Etiquette Expert says “Flying has always been a shared experience, but what we’re seeing now is a shift towards people treating it more like their own personal space. Comfort is important, especially on longer journeys, but it should never come at the expense of those around you.
“Sometimes, it’s the smallest in-flight habits that make the biggest difference – whether that’s saving your aisle yoga flow for the terminal, keeping your seatmate out of your TikTok content, or treating the cabin like a shared space rather than your living room. A little self-awareness at 30,000 feet goes a long way.”
The top 10 most annoying passenger behaviours
Watching films / videos or listening to music without headphones (43%)
Bringing a strong-smelling or messy meal on board (43%)
Being leant over / have someone get too close so they take a picture or film out of the window (42%)
Filming social media content or TikToks during a flight (33%)
Getting caught in someone else’s filming for social media (30%)
Going barefoot during the flight (25%)
Walking up and down in the aisle to keep up with a daily step count or fitness goals (24%)
Performing or stretching or yoga in the aisle (23%)
Doing a manicure e.g., painting their nails, cutting or filing their nails (23%)
Using dental floss (18%)
Ryan Pearson, UK and Ireland Regional Manager at Booking.com says: “The way we fly is changing. Travel annoyances are no longer limited to reclining seats or aisle-hoggers before the doors open – there’s a whole new set of rules to navigate. At Booking.com, we’re here to make every part of the journey easier, and we hope this etiquette guide serves as a gentle reminder for everyone sharing the skies to stay mindful of other flyers.”
Whether you’re a barefoot stretcher or TikTok creator, Booking.com offers flights for every kind of traveller. To find your next trip, visit www.booking.com, and to read more on the findings / tips visit: https://news.booking.com/plane-rude/
