Annoying things that happen on a plane, ranked

Top 40 air rage inducers

Unless you’re lucky (or rich) enough to turn left when boarding, flying is rarely a glamorous experience. It’s cramped, uncomfortable and sometimes downright infuriating. With personal space shrinking and cabin fever creeping in, even the smallest annoyances can push you over the edge. Here’s our definitive countdown of in-flight pet peeves at 35,000 feet.

Read on to discover the 40 most ANNOYING things people do on planes... 

40. Not getting seats together

You checked in the second online check-in opened, yet somehow your partner’s seat ends up at the opposite end of the plane. Pleading with the cabin crew or giving your neighbour a hopeful glance rarely changes anything. Still, on the off chance a kind soul offers to swap seats, your faith in humanity is instantly restored.

39. Dry skin, dry mouth

No matter how much water you guzzle or how generously you apply moisturiser and lip balm, you always step off a flight feeling like a dried-up prune. And all that hydration? It inevitably leads to frequent trips to the loo, turning you into the very in-flight neighbour you’d normally avoid.

38. People turning their mobile phones on before the landing gate

The sound of phones pinging and emails flooding in the moment the plane touches down is enough to make you cringe. Worse still, it’s a reminder to turn your own phone on – though after a holiday, a few more blissful minutes of reality-free peace wouldn’t hurt.

37. Leg shaking

Sitting next to an incessant leg twitcher, foot tapper or compulsive knuckle clicker is about as irritating as it gets on a flight.

36. Playing games at full volume

There’s no excuse for this anti-social behaviour – no one wants to hear your game, movie or music. That’s what headphones are for, and they’re sold at nearly every airport shop. The same goes for overly bright screens shining in your face while you’re trying to get some sleep.

35. Too hot or too cold

One minute you’re peeling off layers and cranking up the air-con, the next you’re shivering under a scratchy airline blanket, unable to get warm. What you never are on a flight is comfortably at the right temperature.

34. Blanket too small, cushion too thin

Speaking of which, why are airline blankets so tiny? And those paper-thin pillows aren’t much better. Pro tip: if you’re flying long-haul, bring a shawl or cosy hoodie to wrap up in, plus your own pillow to prop against the headrest or window for some much-needed comfort.

33. Never-ending toilet queues

Why do people take an eternity in airplane toilets? Maybe it’s the acrobatics required to survive the world’s tiniest bathroom. And if you’re seated near said toilet, the fun never stops – thanks to the queue of loiterers casually leaning on your seat like it’s a bus stop bench.

32. Bare feet

Is there something weirdly intimate about someone peeling off their socks on a plane? Shoes off – fine (as long as they don't smell). Bare feet right next to yours? Hard pass. If you boarded in sandals, do everyone a favour and make use of those free socks.

31. Latecomers

Yes, we’re looking at you – those fashionably late stragglers, sauntering on with a guilty smile and armfuls of duty-free. Hopefully, the shopping spree was worth the dramatic entrance.

30. Seatbelt sign being left on

Obeying the rules onboard is all well and good, but sometimes it feels like the cabin crew keep the seatbelt sign on just a bit longer than necessary – especially when the turbulence cleared an hour ago, and you’re absolutely bursting for the loo.

29. Eating smelly food on board

It's pretty much a given that airplane food is... not the best, but did you really need to bring tubs of odorous home-cooked dishes? Surely a few sandwiches, raw vegetables or fruit would be a more sociable choice in such close quarters?

28. Noisy and messy eating

What is it about people who chew with their mouths open, slurp noodles, or chomp like it’s a competitive sport? Eating noises are annoying at the best of times, but in a confined space for hours? Absolutely maddening.

27. Dirty toilets

Wet floors, soggy toilet paper everywhere, no soap and suspiciously damp surfaces – lovely. Despite the cabin crew’s best efforts, there’s always that group of people who treat the airplane loo like a disaster zone and leave it looking like a scene from a horror film by the time it’s your turn.

26. Legs in aisle, feet in between chairs

Yes, legroom in economy is practically non-existent, but turning the aisle into an obstacle course with outstretched legs isn’t the answer – especially in semi-darkness or when the drinks trolley is coming your way. And no, those wandering feet are not welcome on the armrest. Ever.

25. Excessive hand luggage

Airlines may be getting stingy with checked luggage, but dragging an overstuffed suitcase down the aisle and banging into people’s ankles won’t win you any fans. And nothing raises tempers faster than a bulging backpack smacking you in the face as someone spins around to find their seat.

24. Flatulent flyers

Sitting near a flatulent passenger is far from ideal but potentially hard to avoid. And according to a study by the University of Copenhagen, flatulence increases significantly in the air. The gas in your intestines expands as the plane rises and cabin pressure drops. So you may have to accept the fact that flatulence is part of flying.

23. Jostling to get off the plane

Blatantly ignoring one of the golden rules of plane etiquette is next-level bad manners. When disembarking, form an orderly queue – there’s no need to stand so close you could read over someone’s shoulder. No one’s going anywhere until the doors open. Equally irritating are the dawdlers. You’ve known for over an hour the plane was landing, so why wait until now to pack your bag and put your shoes on?

22. Noisy kids and chilled parents

Unruly children and inattentive adults are a dangerous combo when you’re trapped 30,000 feet in the air. Sympathy for parents travelling with kids only stretches so far – if little Johnnie belts out another song at full volume while bouncing on the back of your seat for the 11th time, it’s you who might be on the verge of a tantrum.

21. Eye rolling at noisy children

Equally annoying, if you happen to be that hapless parent whose child has decided to turn into a screaming banshee mid-flight, are the not-so-subtle sighs, tuts, eye-rolls and generally unhelpful comments about said baby from fellow passengers and cabin crew.

20. Useless headphones

No one expects airline-issue headphones to offer the best sound quality but sometimes they're downright useless. Whether the sound keeps cutting out, you can only hear on one side or there's a constant crackle, it's extremely irritating when you're looking forward to binge-watching movies or immersing yourself in an album.

19. Entertainment system being rebooted

Picture the scene: someone's entertainment system isn't working. How annoying for them. But to fix it, the crew has to reboot the whole system. Which means you have to watch all of those irritating adverts again before struggling to use the always-awkward control panel to get back to where you were in the film.

18. Bad movies

You're in luck, your headset is working and so is your screen. But a quick flick through the in-flight magazine and you realise that the selection of movies is, quite frankly, rubbish. We've seen all of Friends a million times over and the last time we looked, The Lion King was not a new release. Back to the book...

17. Someone kicking your seat

The odd kick or jolt is to be expected in the cramped conditions of economy class, but constant kicking is a guaranteed rage-inducer. Ditto pulling the seat back every time you get up or leaning on it while chatting to your friends behind you.

16. Being woken when you're finally asleep

You've had a meal, watched three films, been for a walk and a stretch and are just about to sink into a snooze when the lights come blazing on and the air steward wakes you for breakfast. How is it that time already?

15. People getting up and down

Constantly getting up, rummaging through the overhead locker, endless trips to the loo – a fidgety neighbour is a real headache, especially if you’re in the aisle seat. But if you’re the lucky one who snagged that prized aisle spot, remember: when nature calls, we’re coming through. So maybe skip the dramatic eye roll.

14. All the good meals going

Chicken or pasta? You already know how this plays out. As the trolley makes its way down the aisle, every passenger ahead of you seems to claim the chicken, leaving you with the dreaded bland pasta – yet again. Want to improve your odds next time? Sit closer to the front or pre-order an economy meal online and avoid the gamble altogether.

13. Boarding before group number is called

Airports – and planes – have a way of bringing out the worst in people. Suddenly, everyone’s a queue jumper or an eye-rolling perfectionist. Crowding around the boarding gate before your group is called? Irritating. But the real offenders are those who sneak onto the plane early, clogging the aisle and throwing the whole boarding process into chaos.

12. Hand luggage hogs

Which brings us neatly to those eager beavers who rush to board early, just to claim all the overhead space with their oversized bags. The result? Everyone else is left wandering down the aisle, only to find the nearest available space is somewhere near the back of the plane.

11. Seat recliners

You know the type: the minute the seatbelt sign goes off, their seat reclines back and stays that way for the remainder of the flight. Unless you confront the offender or have an attentive steward who tells them to put it upright at meal times, you'll find negotiating your hot drinks and tray pretty tricky.

10. Aisle seat snoozers

For those who prefer an aisle seat, missing out on one for a long-haul flight pretty much guarantees a miserable journey. Being stuck next to someone who’s snagged that aisle spot and can sleep through even the bumpiest turbulence while you’re desperate for the loo or a stretch is undeniably one of the most irritating in-flight experiences.

9. Drunk people

Boarding the plane reeking of booze and treating fellow passengers to your tipsy tales isn’t exactly the way to win over your seatmates. Nor is draining the drinks trolley dry and waving down the cabin crew for endless refills until you pass out snoring. Then again, a snorer is still preferable to an aggressive drunk.

8. The snorers

If you have a case of plane insomnia, the sight of fellow passengers snoozing peacefully can induce feelings of utter contempt. Worse still are the snorers, who interrupt your attempts at slumber with their gurgles, grunts and groans. That's why earplugs are the all-time essential flying accessory.

7. People coughing and sneezing

Bad luck if your seatmate has a streaming cold or a cough that won’t quit. But don’t be too quick to blame them – chances are the man sneezing his way through row 33 was the reason you got sick on the second day of your holiday. Let’s face it, airplane cabins are basically flying petri dishes.

6. Hogging spare seats

Ah, the flight’s about to take off, and the seat next to you is blissfully empty. But wait – your next-but-one neighbour has clocked it too and is already sprawled across the extra seat like they own it. Patience. Wait for them to head to the loo… then reclaim your territory.

5. Over chatty seatmates

You’ve settled into your seat and just started your book when your neighbour plops down and launches into a non-stop monologue for the entire flight. A friendly hello and a touch of small talk? Great. A full life story? Not so much. Time to slip on those noise-cancelling headphones and an eye mask – universal signs that you’re officially off-duty.

4. Being delayed on the tarmac

You’ve made it through check-in and rushed to the boarding gate with no time for a toilet stop or even a coffee. But just as you settle into your seat, you’re hit with the news of a delay – air traffic control or safety checks, of course. You get why it happens, but few things are more frustrating than sitting grounded on the plane, especially with a 10-hour flight ahead.

3. Broken or slow entertainment system

One of the few perks of long-haul flying is the chance to indulge in an uninterrupted movie or TV marathon. So, there’s nothing quite as rage-inducing as a sluggish touchscreen or a sticky control panel. Annoying, yes – but now picture 12 hours with no entertainment system at all. Add a bored child in the seat next to you… pure horror.

2. Personal space invaders

You’re crammed into a tiny seat, knees jammed against the seat in front, while the person next to you monopolises the armrest. Irritation levels rising. Add in some limb-spreading, overzealous stretching, or – worst of all – falling asleep on your shoulder and it’s a recipe for mid-flight misery. Respecting personal space? That’s travel etiquette 101.

1. Passengers with bad bodily hygiene

From smelly feet and bad breath to general body odour, you can be subjected to some pretty offensive smells on board a plane. Sitting in close proximity to someone who's on the whiffy side tops this list of all-time most annoying things on an airplane. Just pray they get off at your transit stop.

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