Should fliers be fined if they get up before the plane stops?

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2 days ago

In a move to enhance safety and take control of 'aisle lice', the Turkish civil aviation authority has decided to crack down on passengers who jump the gun. Travellers who stand up too early or clog the aisles before the plane reaches its parking spot could reportedly face fines of 2,603 Turkish lira, roughly $70, or around Rs 5,990 read more
Turkish aviation authorities have decided to crack down on passengers who jump the gun. Travellers who stand up too early or clog the aisles while waiting to deplane could now face fines. File image/Reuters
You've probably seen it—or maybe even done it yourself. The plane barely touches down, and before the seatbelt sign even blinks off, a few passengers are already on their feet, reaching for the overhead bins and inching toward the exit like they're in a race.
It's frustrating. It's a bit risky. And in Turkey, it might soon hit you in the wallet.
According to The Washington Post, Turkish aviation authorities have decided to crack down on passengers who jump the gun. Travellers who stand up too early or clog the aisles while waiting to deplane could now face fines.
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Some see this as a welcome step toward restoring order in the cabin. Others think it's a little extreme. But love it or hate it, the rule is clearly pushing people to think twice, and maybe follow the rules for everyone's safety.
Here's what's going on.
What the new rules say
In an effort to rein in impatient fliers, Turkey's civil aviation authority is cracking down on those who rush to stand up before it's safe to do so.
In a notice, as reported by The Washington Post, the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation said, 'Please do not unfasten your seatbelt, stand up, or open the overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign has been switched off."
'It is strictly forbidden to stand up, open overhead compartments, or be present in the aisle before the aircraft has reached its parking position and the seatbelt sign has been turned off,' it adds.
Travellers who violate this rule can reportedly face a fine of 2,603 Turkish lira—roughly $70, or around Rs 5,990.
Under the new regulations, commercial airlines operating flights in Turkey are required to issue a revised version of the standard in-flight announcement to remain seated. AI-generated representative image
While the behaviour may seem like a minor annoyance, authorities point out that it also poses real safety concerns.
If a plane makes a sudden stop, standing passengers can lose their balance and fall. Opening overhead bins too early could lead to luggage falling out and injuring someone nearby. And blocking aisles can delay or prevent emergency evacuations if needed.
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Under the updated rules, now in effect, passengers are expected to stay seated until the plane has fully parked, the seatbelt sign is off, and the rows ahead of them have started exiting.
The commercial airlines operating flights in Turkey are now required to issue a revised version of the standard in-flight announcement to remain seated.
The Turkish aviation authority has also reportedly issued a notice to airlines, instructing flight crews to report passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts or crowd the aisles before the seatbelt sign is turned off.
According to a 2023 report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), failing to follow flight attendant instructions was the most common type of unruly passenger behaviour that year. Cabin crew also reported dealing with violent incidents, harassment, verbal abuse, onboard smoking, and other disruptive actions.
The rise of 'aisle lice'
Turkey's crackdown might sound strict, but it taps into a growing global frustration with a certain type of passenger behaviour—commonly dubbed 'aisle lice.'
The term 'aisle lice' refers to those eager-beaver fliers who scramble into the aisle the moment the plane lands, trying to get off before anyone else. It's a counterpart to 'gate lice,' a phrase used to describe passengers who crowd the boarding gate long before their group is called.
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In fact, American Airlines recently began testing new technology designed to combat gate lice—alerting both passengers and gate agents when someone attempts to board early. According to NBC News, this system emits an 'audible signal' when someone jumps the queue and is currently being trialled at airports in New Mexico, Arizona, and Virginia.
'Gate lice' is a term used to describe passengers who board before their designated group is called, often crowding the gate as early as possible, in an attempt to board early and secure overhead bin space. Image for Representation. Reuters
But unlike boarding procedures, deplaning etiquette is harder to enforce, leading to scenes of mid-air chaos on flights around the world.
So, whether other countries follow suit remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure, Turkey seems to have picked its side.
If you're flying in or out of the country anytime soon, it's probably best to stay buckled up until that seatbelt sign goes off.
With input from agencies