What Do Americans Find Unacceptable on Airplanes?
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Flight etiquette has become a big topic as more and more people travel and as legroom and luggage space seem to be shrinking.
In this graphic, we bring the results of a survey that asked Americans about airplane behaviors they consider acceptable or unacceptable.
A Review of Flight Manners
More than 80% of Americans agree that it’s unacceptable for passengers to let their children play in the aisle or for other passengers to get drunk on the plane.
Meanwhile, 66% consider it unacceptable for passengers not to pay attention during the safety demonstration, but 20% consider it okay.
| Behavior | Acceptable (%) | Unacceptable (%) | Not Sure (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let their kids play in the aisle | 5 | 86 | 9 |
| Get drunk | 9 | 82 | 8 |
| Leave their seat during turbulence | 7 | 82 | 11 |
| Watch a movie without headphones | 11 | 81 | 9 |
| Leave trash in the seatback pocket | 11 | 79 | 9 |
| Use both armrests when someone is sitting next to them | 11 | 74 | 15 |
| Eat strong-smelling food | 14 | 68 | 17 |
| Not pay attention during the safety demonstration | 20 | 66 | 15 |
| Exit the plane before people in the rows in front of them | 14 | 65 | 21 |
| Not set their devices to airplane mode | 16 | 64 | 19 |
Leaving the seat during turbulence is not only dangerous but is considered a no-no for the majority (82%) of passengers. If you want to watch a movie, make sure you have your headphones to avoid complaints, as 81% of people say it’s unacceptable to listen out loud.
Acceptable Behaviors
Finally, here are some of the less contentious behaviors according to the poll results.
The majority of respondents (51%) consider it acceptable to ask to switch seats with another passenger. Meanwhile, if you are one of those who likes to make friends, chatting with a stranger next to you for the entire flight is generally acceptable (46%).
