Irritated on a Long Flight? Here’s Probably Why

No one really likes the cramped quarters of a long flight. Seats are too close together.

Sometimes you have to be in the air for 12 hours or more. No wonder we sometimes get cranky.

And then some.

There are some things people do that cause the most patient of us to blow. A new survey of 2,500 travelers by The Points Guy (TPG) and YouGov found the number-one thing causing the most irritation on an airplane.

TPG managing editor, Becky Blaine said passengers not using headphones while using smartphones, laptops or other technology to make phone calls, or video calls, or to watch movies or TV shows cause the most consternation.

• 40% of passengers polled think airlines should ban phone or video calls while flying

• 27% say these calls and accompanying noise irritate them the most

"It happens in the preboarding areas, too, where people sit on their phones watching videos on full blast," Blaine said. "And it can't be pinpointed by age demographic. You see kids on iPads, all the way up to older people on cellphones."

Some airlines have already taken the hint.

Earlier this year United Airlines instituted a requirement that all passengers must wear headphones while listening to audio on phones, laptops and other technology. And the airline has reserved the right to kick passengers off of a plane when they ignore the policy. If the incident blows up into conflict, the airline says it can even permanently ban them from flying on the airline.

American Airlines and Delta also ask passengers to wear headphones.

The survey found other irritations like whether passengers should or shouldn’t be able to recline their seats. That pathetic few inches is found to be okay by a bare majority of 51%. Only 10% find it not acceptable at all.

However, etiquette experts say we ought to ask permission from the person behind us if we want to recline the seat. That is, if we can get their attention if they are calling or watching a video without headphones.

The same etiquette experts say we ought to have our seats up during meals.

Of course, a discussion like this can’t be left without discussing the poor person sitting in the middle of a three seat row. TPG believes that person has the right to use both armrests. The 2,500 respondents disagree and just 11% say the middle person gets both.

We all dress fairly comfortably while traveling by air. Loose-fitting clothing works. These days some are dressing a little more comfortably and wearing pajamas. PJs on planes led the U.S. Department of Transportation to urge people to dress more respectfully on airplanes.

Those surveyed by TPG and YouGov say that doesn’t necessarily means suits and ties and dresses for the ladies. Only 9% want that kind of professional attire. Whatever is comfortable works for 70% of those responding. That includes loungewear (whatever that is) and casual athletic clothes.

Only 1% find traveling in pajamas acceptable.

Source link: CBS News — https://bit.ly/4qXwDzC