The 20 things plane passengers hate the most from armrest hoggers to chatty strangers

The Sun

22-05-2025

FLYERS' biggest irritations include people reclining their seat, crying kids - and drunk passengers.
A poll of 2,000 air travellers also found people using devices without headphones, talking too loudly, and taking ages to put their bags in the overhead lockers were other major annoyances.
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But it is children kicking the back of their chair that was most annoying, according to 36 per cent.
Sitting next to a chatty stranger, having to queue for the toilet, and double armrest hoggers also made the top 20 list.
The research was commissioned by travel insurance provider Staysure, whose spokesperson said: 'Bringing so many different people all together in one enclosed space for a long period of time can be quite an intense experience, sometimes, enabling minor irritations to bubble away.
'Crying children, seat reclining, and loud fellow passengers can often be frequently encountered on a journey, with the research showing many people can end up a little annoyed on this travel leg of the trip.
'But drunken and disorderly travellers are also unwelcome, not only by fellow flyers but the airline crew as well.'
The research found that 14 per cent were irked by fellow passengers getting up to remove their bags from overhead lockers when the flight hadn't officially ended.
But 15 per cent admitted they were guilty of doing some of these irritations themselves, with armrest dominance key for 54 per cent.
Of those wound up by things on flights, 47 per cent are frequently exasperated by such behaviours – with eight per cent claiming to feel like this every time they step aboard a flight.
With 44 per cent making their irritations known through a sigh or a huff, and 19 per cent have ended up involved in a heated discussion, according to the OnePoll data.
Varying approaches also emerged when it came to initial interactions with fellow passengers – with 37 per cent acknowledging the person they're sitting next to and happy to chat away if they wanted to.
But 32 per cent have regretted doing so once they realise their neighbour would natter to them throughout.
And 17 per cent avoid any acknowledgement and conversation during the flight – with 25 per cent even pretending to be asleep to avoid a chat.
It also emerged 76 per cent would support a section on a plane specifically for parents and children to sit, with 18 per cent finding a crying child more frustrating than a disruptive adult.
However, 37 per cent found a rowdy grown-up to be much more irritating, with 88 per cent believing there is a correlation between the flight destination and attitudes of passengers.
And 44 per cent believe alcohol restrictions would be a wise idea on board.
A spokesperson from Staysure added: 'This research has given us a look at a topic everyone seemingly has a strong opinion on.
'However, once the flight is out of the way, you feel like you can really get on and enjoy your holiday.
'As the survey has shown, there's a long list of things that might irritate us on the plane and you never know what you might encounter.
'We can't insure people against annoying passengers but it's always wise to have tailored travel insurance in place to keep yourself protected should anything more serious happen before or during your trip.'
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TOP 20 BIGGEST FLYING IRRITATIONS
1. Children kicking the back of your chair
2. Crying or disruptive children
3. Seat reclining
4. Drunk passengers
5. Using a device without headphones on
6. People talking too loudly
7. People taking ages putting their bags in the overhead locker when first boarding
8. People standing up to get their bags out of the overhead lockers before the flight has officially ended
9. People getting louder the more alcohol they drink
10. People pulling the back of your seat to stand up
11. Sitting next to a chatty stranger
12. Children running up and down the aisle
13. Queuing for the toilet
14. People who keep getting up to put something in and out of their bag in the overhead locker
15. Passengers constantly coughing
16. The person next to you falling asleep so you can't get out to use the toilet
17. Double armrest hoggers
18. Poor quality flight food
19. People who sit in the wrong seat when first boarding
20. Snoring passengers