Air travel is one of the fastest and usually most efficient methods of travelling around the world. It also seems to grow in popularity every year, with 126.2 million Britons taking to the skies last year alone, according to data from the international trade body for aviation. However, plane journeys can rapidly go from good to bad, often through no fault of the airline. In fact, it is fellow passengers who can be the ones deciding how enjoyable a flight is.
From loud eating to inappropriate fashion, plane passengers around the world have their own portfolio of negative experiences onboard flights.
Luckily, travel experts from The Points Guy UK have chimed in to offer their opinion on what separates heavenly passengers from their hellish counterparts.
Some of the biggest culprits for causing cabin discomfort are exposed toes, in-flight grooming and a general disregard for those around them.
When it comes to peeling socks off mid-flight, a spokesperson from The Points Guy UK said: “Feet can be pretty gross. We totally get why you might want to take your shoes off, especially during a long-haul flight, but please at least keep your socks on!”
READ MORE: Flights: Unexpected passenger dubbed ‘unhygienic’ – would you be happy to fly with them? [PICS]
Travel experts also warn passengers against “plucking, picking or trimming” while in the air. ”Do what you need to do, but in the comfort of your own home or in the aeroplane loo,” they recommended.
With legroom already a major concern for many travellers, putting your seat back into recline should be done with caution.
The spokesperson said: “Always check to make sure the person behind you isn’t eating or working on a laptop when you want to recline your seat.”
The same respect goes for the use of an armrest. Unless you’re lucky enough to travel in First or Business class, there is a good chance passengers will be sharing an armrest.
“No matter what side of the armrest you’re on, remember to always be courteous.”
Other travel horror stories include passengers who have taken the onboard bar a little too far. While it is tempting to have one or two drinks, experts recommend passengers do so with caution.
This is particularly relevant when considering the fact that the number of drink-fuelled incidents has risen by almost 400 per cent over the past five years.
While the Civil Aviation Authority figures show 400 incidents are reported annually, data from individual airlines suggests this figure is more like 4,000. That equates to 10 a day.
Other passenger traits that are renowned for annoying those around them include talking too much or too loudly, smelly food and unnecessary “public displays of affection.”
However, Nicky Kelvin, Director of Content for The points Guy UK has his own remedy for combatting unfortunate passengers.
He told express.co.uk: “I am a stickler for aeroplane etiquette, and suffer more than most when others are not playing nice.
“A particular pet peeve of mine is noise. Coughing, chomping, slurping, loud talking, crying and sound bleeding out of other people’s headphone drive me crazy.
“Aside from being the best passenger you can be, and following common etiquette we outlined in our article, you often can’t change those around you, and so protecting yourself against bad behaviour is key.
|For me, my main weapon a solid and impenetrable set of noise-cancelling headphones. With those on, and my eyes closed, no amount of screaming or slurping can get me!”
